Açaí Palm

Açaí Palm Euterpe is a genus of 25–30 species of palms native to tropical Central and South America, from Belize south to Brazil and Peru, growing mainly in floodplains and swamps. They are tall slender attractive palms growing to 15–30 m tall, with pinnate leaves up to 3 m long. The fruit is a very small, round, black-purple drupe, produced in branched panicles of 700–900 fruits. Its appearance is similar to that of a grape, but it has a smaller amount of pulp and a single large seed.

The genus is named after the muse Euterpe of Greek mythology. The vernacular name is also sometimes spelled Assai Palm in English.

Uses

They are used (particularly Euterpe edulis) for their 'palm heart' eaten as a steamed dish, and (particularly Euterpe oleracea) for their highly-prized fruits that are rich in B vitamins, minerals (particularly iron), fibre, proteins and anthocyanins, an antioxidant. The juice and pulp of açaí are used in delicious deep purple ice-cream resembling chocolate and are frequently used in various beverages. It can also be eaten raw or used as a condiment, most commonly with shrimp or manioc. It is considered one of the most nutritious fruits of the Amazon, second perhaps to the Brazil Nut.