Brazilian super food going down a storm in the UK

Superfoods, we cannot seem to get enough of them, with the UK becoming a more health conscious nation, foods that offer high nutritional benefits are in huge demand. But, if you are one of those individuals still chomping your way through blueberries, wild salmon, butternut squash and whatever else is on your ‘top ten’ list of superfoods then listen up, there’s a new kid on the block, and it means business.



A Brazilian berry straight from the Amazon Rainforest called Acai and pronounced a-sigh-ee has quickly become the world’s number one most powerful and nutritious foods according to many environmental organisations and leading doctors.

A staple part of the Brazilian diet where they consume millions per day, already a big hit in the US with a band of celebrity worshippers, and although still very new to the UK market it is fast becoming known as the “next big thing”.

Operating from a warehouse north of Kent in the UK, Sublime Food Ltd has been importing and distributing frozen fruit from Brazil for the past 3yrs, and has made it their mission to get aca’i to the world.

For many people, the acai berry is probably still unknown. But if you have ever visited the new wave of juice bars now a plenty on many high streets, you may have had some aca’i in your smoothie or health drink and not even realised it.

Packed full of antioxidants, high in omega 6 and omega 9 oils, a rich source of protein and dietary fibre to name just a few of the benefits, this is probably why the aca’i berry is such a huge success.

Ronan O’Meara is the director at Sublime Food explains: “The Acai berry has been consumed by the indigenous people of the Amazon since time began; the berry is the size of a large blueberry, purple almost dark black in colour. It grows wild in the Amazon Rainforest, which is the only place on earth where it grows.

“It has three times more antioxidants than blueberries and pomegranates. Antioxidants are vital because they mop up free radicals which can cause cancer and cell damage. And according to Dr. Nicholas Perricone a board-certified clinical and research dermatologist in the States, it helps to slow down the ageing process”.

With his brother living and running a juice bar in Brazil for the past 9yrs, these two brothers have formed a unique international partnership where they are at the fore of importing the aca’i berry to the UK.

“The main reason that the company was set up to get best aca’i to the UK market and because Brazil has some very interesting fruits we introduced them too.

“Once the berries are in season there are huge quantities, an area about half the size of Switzerland is completely covered in aca’i trees.

“Berries are picked by small teams, often husband and wife that look after areas that are unique to them. One member of the team will climb up the tree, cut the branch or pull the berry off and drop it to the person waiting below who will put them into baskets.

“The baskets are then taken down the river to the local buyers, often co-operatives. Our buyer will inspect the berries and buy the best ones.

“He then takes them off and on that day place them in warm water for about 1 hour, he will then mash them through the first sieve, at which point the stones are removed. It is then mashed through a smaller sieve to break up the fibre inside the berries. A pulp is formed which is packed and shipped in frozen containers over to the UK” say’s Ronan.

The frozen pulp is then sold on to juice bars, smoothie bars, health shops and supermarkets. But let’s not kid ourselves; you cannot expect that by drinking one health drink containing acai that it will benefit you immediately.

Ronan explains: “Products on the market that contain acai has such a minute amount that at best you might get a slight anti-oxidant benefit and at worst it will do absolutely nothing. If you want the real benefit of acai I would say buy the pulp”.

You cannot ignore the nutritional benefits of the acai berry, and perhaps some thought should be given to the people and region where it comes from.

Greenpeace champion the acai berry because although they are aware that a wide range of sustainable and effective initiatives are needed to prevent the continuing destruction of the Amazon, they accept it as an important environment step forward as the berry is derived from a non timber forest product within the Amazon Rainforest, and it gives the people a sustainable way of maintaining their livelihood.

Contact:
Ronan O'Meara
Director
Sublime Food Ltd
Email
Website
Phone: +44 871 750 2479

Publication date: 6/18/2007
Author: Jacqui Kennedy
Copyright: www.freshplaza.com

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