What are they?

They are the small, round, black-purple fruit of the Açaí palm, found in Central and South America, and especially in the Amazon jungle (they are sometimes referred to as the 'wine of the Amazon').

Why are they a pleasure?

They taste like blackcurrants with a hint of chocolate and make deep purple smoothies, which are great topped with granola and slices of banana.

Why are they good for you?

Açaí berries are considered one of the richest fruit sources of antioxidants (and are therefore known as a 'superfood').

They contain approximately twenty times the amount of anthocyanins found in red wine, and are rich in aminoacids, essential oils (omega-6 and omega-9 fatty acids), fiber and protein.

Why are they good for the world?

They are harvested in the Amazon forest, so the rising demand for açaí means it can pay off for the locals to conserve the forest.

Where can I find them?

They are not that easy to find yet, but they are becoming more popular, and açaí-based smoothies can now be found in some supermarkets and smoothie bars. Otherwise look for their frozen pulp in health shops or online.