Wonderfruit Açai® FAQs / Amazon Planet

- What is the açai palm berry? The açai palm berry is the round, black-purple fruit of a palm tree that grows wild in the Amazon rainforest, particularly in the nutrient-rich floodplains of the Amazon river estuary. Slightly larger than a blueberry, it consists of a single large seed covered by a very thin layer of pulp. Therefore, Amazon natives do not consume it directly but use it to make a thick, creamy, dark purple liquid called "açai." top ↑

- What is açai? Açai is a creamy, dark purple liquid of chowder-like consistency that is an essential part of the diet of many Amazon natives. It is made by mixing the pulp of the açai palm berry (separated from the berry's large seed in a manual or mechanical grinding process) with potable water. So, technically, açai is not a juice in the sense of a liquid extracted by pressing fruit, but an emulsion, that is, a liquid in which açai fruit solids are suspended in water. (Please note that in this website, as well as all other company materials, the word "açai" always refers to this emulsion, while the berry used to make it will be referred to as "açai palm berry" or "açai fruit".) top ↑

- How is açai consumed in the Amazon? In the Amazon you have açai two ways. Either unsweetened, as a savory sauce accompanying fish, shrimp or meat, or as a stand-alone dish or snack: The açai is sweetened, often topped with crunchy manioc root pellets and spooned straight out of a gourd. top ↑

- What are the nutritional benefits of açai? Açai is one of the planet's healthiest and most nutritious foods. It provides energy in the form of heart-healthy omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and supports the body's vital functions through an unrivaled concentration of antioxidants. Açai also contains a high amount of fiber and some protein, but no caffeine or sugars! top ↑

- What determines the level of nutritional benefits açai provides? The level of nutritional benefits açai provides is determined by the amount of fruit pulp it contains. As all the nutrients of açai come from the pulp (and not the added water) the more pulp there is in açai, the more nutrition it offers. top ↑

- What are the different grades of açai? The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has defined three grades of açai according to the amount of açai fruit pulp they contain: Açai "popular" (lower grade) must contain at least 8% fruit solids, açai "medio" (middle grade) at least 11% fruit solids and açai "especial" (special grade) a minimum of 14% fruit solids. top ↑

- How can I figure out a beverage's açai pulp content? See Açai Content top ↑

- What is Wonderfruit Açai^®? Wonderfruit Açai^® is a line of premium, fresh frozen packs of authentic Amazon açai. Made with wild-grown açai berries from the depths of the Amazon rainforest, Wonderfruit Açai^® is amazingly delicious and loaded with antioxidants, omegas 6 & 9 and dietary fiber! top ↑

- What is Wonderfruit Açai^® Real Pure? Wonderfruit Açai^® Real Pure is just that: 100% pure Amazon açai. It contains no additives whatsoever, especially no citric acid, so you can finally enjoy the awesome flavor of authentic Amazon açai! top ↑

- What are the three Wonderfruit Açai^® Doubleboost™ blends? The three Wonderfruit Açai^® Doubleboost™ blends are our Real Pure açai with an added boost of choice: Energy, Immunity or Protein. We sweetened them lightly with organic cane sugar so you can enjoy them straight out of the freezer! (Just thaw them to your preferred consistency.)top ↑

- What are the health benefits of Wonderfruit Açai^®? Wonderfruit Açai^® provides you with all the healthy nutrition of real Amazon açai: Loads of antioxidants to combat free radicals, plenty of heart-healthy omega 6 and 9 fatty acids and a good amount of dietary fiber to regulate your gastrointestinal function. On top of that our Doubleboost™ blends provide you with an added all-natural boost (Energy, Immunity or Protein). top ↑

- What are the ingredients and nutrition facts of Wonderfruit Açai^®? Click on the product for all the details:

Wonderfruit Açai^® Real Pure
Wonderfruit Açai^® Doubleboost™

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- What differentiates Wonderfruit Açai^® from other frozen açai packs? Wonderfruit Açai^® is 100% additive-free: We use NO colors, flavors, preservatives, emulsifiers or thickeners of any kind. Crucially, Wonderfruit Açai^® doesn't contain any citric acid which gives other frozen açai products a tart, astringent taste that is completely different from the real taste of açai: a mild bouquet of chocolaty flavors with subtle, fruity overtones. top ↑

- What makes Wonderfruit Açai^® different from açai beverages, juices and smoothies? Besides the fact that other açai beverages, juices and smoothies, whether bottled or made to order, don't taste anything like real açai, with Wonderfruit Açai^® you get at least 3 times as much açai berry pulp and, therefore, at least 3 times as much of the healthy nutrients that characterize açai. In a nutshell, with Wonderfruit Açai^® you get much more açai for your buck! top ↑

- How does Wonderfruit Açai^® compare to antioxidant-rich juices like pomegranate or blueberry? First, it gives you more than twice the amount of antioxidants. Second, instead of giving you plenty of sugars but hardly any healthy macronutrients, Wonderfruit Açai^® does exactly the opposite as it contains no sugars but is loaded with healthy omegas 6 & 9 (unsaturated fats), fiber and protein. In a nutshell: more antioxidants and healthy macronutrients, less sugar! top ↑

- Why does Wonderfruit Açai^® taste so different from other açai beverages and frozen packs? The tart, "refreshing" taste that a lot of açai products have in the US does not come from the açai but from filler juices and/or added acidifiers (usually citric acid). Wonderfruit Açai^® is free of any such additives or filler juices and therefore maintains the unadulterated taste of real açai - a velvety, dark-chocolaty taste that is both unique and delightful. top ↑

- Is Wonderfruit Açai^® a nutritional supplement? How much should I have per day? Wonderfruit Açai^® is not a supplement but a very healthy food, so how many packs you have depends only on your appetite and calorie intake objectives (In the Amazon it is not uncommon for people to have more than 1 liter a day!) top ↑

- How should I consume Wonderfruit Açai^®? With Wonderfruit Açai^® Real Pure you can prepare yourself a bowl of authentic açai, just like they have it in the Amazon: totally pure, adding only a little of your sweetener of choice (açai contains practically no natural sugars). The three Wonderfruit Açai^® Doubleboost™ packs - Energy Blend, Immunity Blend and Protein Blend - are ready to eat. All you have to do is to let them thaw to your preferred consistency and start munching! Furthermore, both Wonderfruit Açai^® Real Pure and the three Wonderfruit Açai^® Doubleboost™ blends can be used to make amazing smoothies and bowls: just take a look at our Wonderblends™. top ↑

- Is Wonderfruit Açai^®an organic product? Wonderfruit Açai^® is made exclusively with wild-grown açai berries. So not only are there no pesticides, herbicides or fertilizers used in the growing process but there is actually no human intervention at all impacting the purity of the açai berries we use! In a nutshell, you get an organic product without the added cost of certification. top ↑

- Why is Wonderfruit Açai^® pasteurized? In order to ensure a completely safe product for anyone without using any preservatives whatsoever. (As açai is a nutrient-rich, low-acid food, and no pesticides are used on our wild-grown berries, there are naturally occurring bacteria and microorganisms present on the fruit's surface when we pick it.) top ↑

- Does pasteurization change the taste of Wonderfruit Açai^®? The difference in taste between pasteurized and non-pasteurized açai is very slight. In fact, it takes even long-time consumers of açai a little effort to differentiate pasteurized from non-pasteurized açai. (The big difference in taste between the açai sold in the US and the one sold in the Amazon is not due to pasteurization but to the addition of citric acid, which Wonderfruit Açai^® does not contain). top ↑

- Does pasteurization reduce the nutritional benefits of Wonderfruit Açai^®? Independent laboratory studies show that none of the important micro- and macronutrients of açai - antioxidants, heart-healthy fats and fiber - suffers any appreciable reduction from pasteurization. The reduction in heat-sensitive enzymes, on the other hand, is the price we have to pay to ensure that our product can safely withstand the long logistical process from the heart of the Amazon rainforest to your freezer without the help of preservatives. top ↑

- Are there any additives in Wonderfruit Açai^®? Wonderfruit Açai^® contains no additives whatsoever. top ↑

- Are there any allergens in Wonderfruit Açai^®? Wonderfruit Açai^® contains no allergens, with the exception of the Wonderfruit Açai^® Protein Blend which contains SOY Protein Isolate. top ↑

- Is Wonderfruit Açai^® suited for children? It is totally suited for children: a lot of healthy nutrition and no caffeine, additives or other nasties. In the Amazon it is often given to babies as a substitute for mother's milk! top ↑

- Must Wonderfruit Açai^® be kept frozen? As it contains no preservatives whatsoever Wonderfruit Açai^® must be kept frozen until it is consumed. Once thawed you should keep it in the fridge and consume it within a day or two. top ↑

- What is the shelf life of Wonderfruit Açai^®? Being gently pasteurized and immediately frozen, Wonderfruit Açai^® has a frozen shelf life of at least 18 months. top ↑

- Where can I buy Wonderfruit Açai^®? Please click here. top ↑

- Does consuming Wonderfruit Açai^® really contribute toward the preservation of the Amazon? Besides bearing the açai fruit, the açai palm tree is also famous for its soft, inner core, namely the palm hearts that are used in salads and other "gourmet" dishes. Increased demand for açai means a greater economic incentive for local farmers to preserve the açai palm for its fruit rather than cutting it down for its palm heart (or for any other reason). top ↑

- What are Amazon Planet's guiding principles? Respect consumers by providing them with real açai and real information on açai and respect the Amazon by helping to preserve its nature and native culture. top ↑

- What does Amazon Planet do to help preserve the Amazon's nature and native culture? The açai berries in Wonderfruit Açai^® are bought directly from local farmers in the rainforests of the Amazon River Delta, the heartland of açai. By eliminating intermediaries, Amazon Planet is able to pay farmers fair prices for their açai fruits. This gives the farmers an added incentive to preserve the beautiful açai groves which are an important part of the fragile Amazon Delta ecosystem. Furthermore, a part of Amazon Planet's proceeds is dedicated to educational and environmental projects in the Amazon aimed at sustainable economic development for the region and the preservation of its ecosystem and native culture. top ↑

- Any other questions, suggestions or comments? Please contact us. top ↑