The Evolution of the Acai Bowl

I'm sure you've seen these pretty bowls all over social media lately. Maybe you're new to the trend and are wondering what on earth these beautiful bowls actually consist of. The acai bowl evolved a few years ago and has been a fan favorite ever since. Although regularly deemed as a "healthy" treat,  it obviously depends on the toppings and mixtures each bowl consists of. Nonetheless, they are extremely yummy and very satisfying.

Worldwide, the acai bowl has one common ingredient: the acai berry. Acai is a dark purple berry native to South America, specifically Brazil. Acai berries are very rich in antioxidants. One common antioxidant found in acai is called anthocyanin, which is also found in blueberries. However, acai berries are nearly 10 times richer in antioxidants than blueberries. Acai is noted as an amazing brain food because of its unique fat composition. Acai is high in oleic acid, one of the most well-known types of omega-3-fatty acids. Other benefits to the acai berry include its higher fiber content which promotes digestive health, as well as its anti-aging skin benefits. 

As you can see, the acai berry has a lot of positive health benefits. When making an acai bowl, juice bars usually use freeze dried acai powder and unsweetened acai puree packs. They blend this to get the base of the bowl as pictured above (the dark purple base). 

I am a huge fan of acai bowls. There are now numerous different combinations to choose from at different restaurants/juice bars. You can choose your unique fruit toppings, as well as other toppings such as peanut butter, granola, coconut flakes, cacao nibs, etc. They are fully customizable at most places. Obviously, when you start adding too many goodies the sugar content does increase, as well as the carbohydrate content and caloric content. You do want to be mindful of consuming too many sugars on a regular basis, but if you're in the mood for a sweet treat, an acai bowl is a great choice. 

Each place serves these differently, so make sure to read the ingredients and choices before selecting your bowl. I've become a sucker for the acai bowl and usually have around one/two a week! If you live in a warm place like Florida or California, they are especially refreshing and satisfying. If you're in the South Florida area and want acai bowl recommendations, I've listed a few below:

Acai Bowl Hot Spots in South Florida:
1) Raw Juce - Boca Raton, FL
2) 3 Natives - Jupiter, FL + Boca Raton, FL
3) Good Vibes - Boynton Beach, FL
4) Aerojuice - Deerfield Beach, FL
5) Apura Juicery - Boca Raton, FL