Why Are We All So Obsessed With Açaí?

The big question we’ve all been asking, what is açaí… and how do we pronounce it? (It’s ah-sigh-ee, by the way).

Açaí, or açaí bowls, are pureed berries that are often topped with a variety of fresh fruits, granola, nuts or any other toppings you can think of. So, what separates an açaí bowl from a simple smoothie? Although seemingly identical, smoothie bowls and açaí bowls have many differences, including their origin.  

First, they can be differentiated by the texture. The use of açaí berries improves the consistency of your bowl to a richer, creamier treat. Açaí bowls are close to the consistency of a sorbet. They are chilled and served at a cold temperature, similar to an ice cream. Smoothie bowls, lacking in açaí berries, are often runnier and more liquid than their açaí counterpart.  

 

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Smoothie bowls stem from Mediterranean and Eastern cultures, only making their way to America after the popularisation of electrical appliances such as fridges and blenders. Açaí bowls come from Brazil, which is the only place the açaí berry grows and thrives. Being a staple in Brazilian culture, the açaí berry is generally enjoyed by everyone, so what separates one country’s staple food from another’s luxury treat? It all comes down to the branding, popularity and online image.  

The reason for the spike in popularity lies in the Amazonian berry and its nutritional benefits. Similar to a grape and blueberry, the fruit is small in size but bursting with nutritional value. They are full of fibre, healthy fats, and antioxidants – perfect to include in a well-balanced diet.

Improving digestion, cognitive ability and heart health, as well as being thought to lower the chances of developing long-term conditions such as cancer and heart diseases, the berries are full of powerful antioxidants. It’s no surprise that the small, yet mighty fruit, has grown exponentially in popularity. 

Originally gaining popularity in the States in the 90s, the açaí fad was especially popular in the 2000s with the influx of the surfer culture. Today, we can thank Instagram and TikTok for the re-popularisation of the beloved treat. Health focused creators began posting with the colourfully aesthetic bowls and the trend skyrocketed.

The açaí bowl was paired with the Pilates lifestyle and the clean girl aesthetic, and people began viewing it as the ideal addition to a perfect healthy life. While originally cementing itself in the Los Angeles health culture, the trend has quickly grown and is now available globally.

Açaí bowls have become readily available and can even be purchased in local supermarkets in a frozen form. This is not only great for accessibility, but also a handy way to keep the frozen treat in your house for whenever you get a cold, fruity craving. 

 

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A post shared by OAKBERRY Açaí Ireland 🇮🇪 (@oakberry.ireland)

Oakberry also recently opened its first Irish stores in Dublin, and have plans to further expand across the country. With its first location opening in 2016, the brand is now available in 5 continents in as many as 700 locations. Smaller businesses are also serving açaí bowls, if you’d prefer to support local in your berry journey. 

So, will they around? It seems to us that açaí bowls are here to stay. At least until the next major trend takes Ireland by storm. 

 Words by Emma Nolan