Acai is becoming more well known. Due to its growing popularity, many people and businesses have rushed the acai market, trying to claim their own stake in the booming market. Because acai is becoming increasingly popular for use in nutritional beverages, supplements, and flavorings, some caution needs to be taken when choosing the right kind of acai.
Acai is rich in essential fatty acids, which makes acai a very perishable fruit. Once the fruit is ripe and mature, it is a short time after the fruit is harvested from its palm that the nutritional value and antioxidant content of acai begins to decline. Depending on the preservation process, unless it is processed quickly, much of the nutritional value and antioxidant content may be lost from the fruit.
Because acai is best used immediately after it is harvesting, finding a reliable product of acai can be a bit of a challenge. Depending on which form of acai you are taking, there are some things to look out for.
Do not buy acai based on the lowest price, because you will get ripped off. Quality comes with a price, and quality acai - the acai that has still retained its nutritional and antioxidant content - may be more expensive than its cheaper brands attempts at tapping into the market.
Due to the difficulty of processing acai, most powders and capsules of acai are not worth buying. If you do buy acai capsules or powders, it is important to look for the organic certification of the acai, to be certain that harvesting and processing methods use help to try and maintain acai's nutritional and antioxidant content. Be aware that the product has been freezedried and carefully preserved. Also be aware of the products ORAC score on their labels, which also give a good indication of the quality of the product.
If taken in the juice form, look out for some key factors. Color and smell are an indication of the quality and processing of acai. Real acai fruit is a dark purple, almost to the point of being black, so the product should be a very dark color (without artificial coloring). If it is light purple or a lavender color, then it is not quality acai (or in some cases may not be acai at all). Acai itself should have little to no oder, unless it is mixed with other fruits. One indication is that if it smells like sunflower seeds or walnuts, then it may be rancid. Once acai juice is opened, be sure to keep it refrigerated. Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from heat, as this can quicken the spoiling process - or oxidized. Remember that acai is supposed to be an anti-oxidant, so help to preserve it so that it will retain its antioxidant content.
