A very berry tropical beverage that beats the morning or midday blues.
A few years ago, I traveled to Hawaii, where my first breakfast included an açaí smoothie. Although I had never heard of this fruit before, once I tasted the gorgeous, deep purple, berrylicious beverage, I knew I was hooked. The berries have a deep, earthy sweetness reminiscent of cacao, and to this day, tasting them reminds me of walking barefoot on the beach at sunrise. There’s nothing quite like açaí berries, and we’re blessed to be able to get them perfectly packaged in the frozen foods aisles at most major grocery stores.
With a beautiful blend of frozen açaí, mixed berries, banana (which is technically also a berry!), and almond milk, this açaí smoothie is refreshing, energizing, and a great breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. Heck, I think it’s sweet enough to even have for dessert. While it might remind you of tropical vacations or summertime fun, you can easily enjoy it year-round because all the ingredients are readily available. It’s also a fun recipe to make with kids, as you can serve the smoothie in a bowl and let them have fun decorating it with special toppings like coconut flakes or cacao nibs.
Is This Açaí Smoothie Healthy?
Since açaí and other berries are considered to be superfoods, this smoothie is packed with healthy benefits. Berries have plenty of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber, plus tons of other antioxidants. Bananas are a good source of potassium, and almond milk offers a nice dose of vitamin E. Plus, many commercial almond milks are enriched with vitamin D and calcium.
Overall, this recipe is also 100% vegan, gluten-free, refined sugar-free, and a great option for a variety of diets.
The Awesome Açaí Berry
What’s so great about açaí berries, and what are they, anyway?
Açaí is a berry that comes from a tropical palm tree, cultivated not only for its fruit, but also for its leaves, edible hearts of palm, and wood. It is grown in South America, primarily in the Brazilian Amazon. The fruit has a large seed, which makes up most of the volume. This powerful berry is rich in antioxidants, which help protect cells from damage. Perhaps that’s why many health-conscious people (myself included) enjoy it regularly. Some even believe it has anti-aging benefits. The açaí berry is truly a nutrient-rich fruit that adds flavor and health benefits to your diet.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
An açaí smoothie comes together in no time and is best enjoyed fresh. I recommend only making what you can consume in one sitting.
Serving Suggestions
Aside from toppings like Protein Granola, this smoothie also makes a great companion to a lot of traditional breakfast treats. From the decadent Coconut Whipped Cream Brioche French Toast to the simple Keto Oatmeal, there are plenty of options to choose from. You can even serve it with Breakfast Burritos for a balance of sweet and savory.
Ingredients
- 1 packet unsweetened frozen açaí purée, 100 grams
- 1 large banana, frozen and sliced
- 1 cup mixed berries, frozen
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Place the frozen açaí purée, frozen banana, frozen mixed berries, and almond milk into a blender.
- Blend on high until smooth, adding more almond milk if necessary to achieve desired consistency.
- Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy immediately.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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