While you may have heard about the acai berry before, you might not know that the small, purple super fruit originates from Brazil in the Amazon rainforest. That's right, a country in South America that you may not know much about is the home of one of the world's most nutritious foods. People don't typically think of the acai berry when they think of Brazil, unless you know a little about Rio and the rest of the story of the acai. The truth is, it may be one of the best things to ever come out of that country - or at least the healthiest.

Early Brazil and Acai

Over 8,000 years ago, people wandered across the Bering Strait in Alaska and gradually moving south until they reached the Amazon rainforest where modern day Brazil is located. It wasn't until the 16th century that it was "rediscovered" by the west. During this time, it was discovered by the local natives that a particular small, palm tree that had a tiny, purple berry was "good for a person health." Over time, people who ate the berry daily became sick less.

After a few generations, it became common knowledge and locals continued to reap the benefits of the berry for hundreds of years in isolation. Travelers to the area may have stumbled on the properties of the purple berry, but because it spoils really quickly after being picked, there was no way for the power of the berry to spread beyond the rain forest where it grew. The early people of Brazil benefited, though. That's for certain.

20th Century Brazil and Acai

Halfway through the 20th century, as the Industrial Age began to really take off when it comes to science and technology, scientists began to look into exactly why the acai berry was so favored by the locals in the area. Through the 50s and 60s, many studies were done on the berry, backing up what the native residents already knew - it was a super fruit that could help you stay healthy. The scientists began to figure out why that was so, though.

As studies continued on the benefits of acai - that it's packed full of antioxidants, full of protein and essential amino acids, not to mention other things - there was still no way to bring the benefits of the acai fruit to the rest of the world. Soon after the berry is harvested, it spoils and goes bad. Refrigeration eventually became better and more common and at that time, it was possible to get the berries north to Rio, thousands of miles away. People living in Rio were already very health-conscious for the most part, and they quickly adapted the acai for use in the city as part of freezes or smoothies.

Modern Brazil and Acai

After the benefits of the acai berry were made available to the rest of the world, there was an explosion of interest surrounding the super fruit. Thankfully, modern preservation techniques have developed, allowing the acai berry to be easily transported without spoiling. Such methods that are used today are most commonly freeze-drying and flash-freezing.

Today, there are too many products on the market that contain acai, such as juices, supplements, smoothies, and many more. Because of this, it is important to know about modern Brazil and how the acai berry is processed and shipped for use in products in the U.S.

There is quite a bit of information you need to consider if you want to make sure you get the most benefits from modern acai and acai based products, such as the amount of true amount of acai extract in them, and well they are made. If you are interested in acai products, be sure to look at our homepage for recommendations.

If you feel like thanking the country of Brazil at this point, go ahead and do so. The country as a whole certainly deserves it. They may not have invented the acai berry, but it is the home of this amazing fruit, and because of this tiny, purple berry, many people all over the world are able to benefit from the nutritious effects of acai.