6 November 1979, the day I gasped for the first time on this planet. Surprisingly, not in Bruges but in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. My parents got married 2 years before and they decided to contribute to a better world. My father, a bio-engineer, worked for 2 years in the food industry, making food for Brazilians better & safer. A noble ideal and a heritage that defined my further life up to now.

In 1979, Açaí was not known outside the Amazon area. In cities like Belem & Manaus, you could find the berries or the pulp, made on the spot, on the fresh markets. It was and is eaten and used anytime anywhere. Because it is so nutritious, abundant and delicious.

In a country with the richest fauna and flora on earth, there was no need to transport healthy food thousands of kilometres. You could find a dozen other berries next door, like Jaboticaba, Seriguela, Cupuaçu, etc.

So why on earth has açaí now become the most wanted superfood in the world?

I will give you 3 reasons :

• Jiu-Jitsu
• Save the world
• Crave for more

3 November 2012, Ghent Belgium, the day I was waiting to get my haircut for my 33rd birthday. There were old newspapers everywhere and… a flyer about açaí by ataste (www.ataste.eu). I called them immediately. This was the start of a great friendship, a massive sales and a better understanding of how this berry conquered Europe.

Brazil is king in Jiu-Jitsu and all Jiu-Jitsu champions all eat açaí thanks to the famous Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family recommending eating açaí before and after workouts. From then on things went fast, especially when also surfers and other health-conscious people picked up on the trend. A-taste supplies nowadays this açaí addiction of the Jiu-Jitsu community whole over Europe.

Fires are the size of Belgium, never-ending soy crops, disappearing Indian tribes. Not to speak of the devastating decline in the world’s most diverse natural environment. The Amazon combines the best and the worst of humans. If harvested correctly, açaí can be a key to protect this precious place on earth.

Have you ever tried açaí? Eaten pure it is slightly bitter, like dark chocolate. But a simple recipe of mainly açaí, banana, some cherries and a juice or drink of choice will make you a fan forever. It is strange but is true, you can eat it every day and still crave for more.

Try our IQF pellets and get inspired:

If you want to find out how açaí could be used to boost your products, check out our superfoods product catalogue or contact us.