Acai Palm Trees
The Acai berry has taken the world by storm. This small fruit with its distinctive deep purple color has the nutrients and fibers that can increase energy, lower high blood pressure, and burn fat. It also has an abundance of antioxidants that can slow down the process of aging. But what is acai, and where did it come from?
The berry can be found as a wild plant on top of native Amazon palm trees. These trees can usually be found in the rainforests of southern and Central America, and can grow to about 50 to 100-feet tall. An Acai palm is prized for two things; the palm heart and the berries. The palm heart is an expensive delicacy, while the grape-like berries are harvested, pulped and juiced. The berries deteriorate quickly once they are harvested, so it is best to extract and bottle the fruit juice immediately.