Pronounced ah-saw-ee, the purple-fleshed acai fruit has a long history of use in South America, but is just now gaining popularity worldwide because of new scientific research supporting its health benefits, particularly its antioxidant properties. Besides being touted by the famous Dr. Nicholas Perricone in his book on health and aging, The Perricone Promise, the fruit has also been discussed on Oprah, NBC’s Today Show and on Steve O’Brien’s CBS-FM New York radio show. In addition to its inclusion in several nutritional supplements, the little fruit from the Amazon has even made its way into a fruit smoothie available from the popular national chain, Jamba Juice.

The egg-shaped acai fruit, approximately 1.5 centimeters in size, got its name from Brazilian locals along the Amazon River, who call both the palm tree and its fruit “acai”. The palm tree consists of numerous usable parts, including roots, stems, leaf fronds and clusters of the actual fruit with its deep purplish-red pulp and very large seed (so large that it makes up 80 percent of the fruit’s size).

This health-promoting fruit is highly valued in trade along the border between Colombia and Brazil, where it has a long history of use: it can be made into a drink or added to other foods, such as breads and seafood dishes. But in all inhabited regions around the Amazon River and its tributaries where the tree grows in abundance, residents make use of all parts of the palm. Acai is now a very popular fruit in South America, and it has made its way into hair care products and trendy ice creams, but its potential health benefits are giving it a new kind of renown around the globe.