Euterpe oleracea – Açaí Palm

Description

An excellent, slender and elegant, clustering palm from northern South America that is well suited to subtropical and tropical areas. This species produces a premium quality cabbage and is frequently grown for this purpose in South America. In Brazil, a highly nutritious, thick, pulpy, deep purple juice called açaí, like the palm, is produced from the fruits of this species. It can be used in juice blends, smoothies or sodas, or consumed plain. Particularly noteworthy in the long list of beneficial contents in the juice are its high percentage of dietary fibers, which makes up a third of its weight, its antioxidant capacities and possible anti-cancer effects.