Sambazon is synonymous with superfood acai, at least in the States – this company was the very first to sustainably source organic açaí in the Amazon Rainforest and bring this delicious fruit to the U.S. market. This April is Acai Awareness Month – the perfect opportunity to highlight the company’s eco-friendly practices in Brazil and to give the berry a try in some tasty açaí recipes.

Sambazon was founded by brothers Ryan and Jeremy Black, surfers from southern California who first visited Brazil in 1999. Once there, the brothers fell in love with Brazil’s positive energy, scenery, flavors, people, and organic approach to health and vitality. It was then that they tried their first açaí bowl and decided to share this Amazonian superfood with the world in the form of frozen superfood packs that can be blended into smoothies or bowls.

Today, the company sustainably manages 2 million acres in the Amazon rainforest and sources açaí berries in the Amapa and Para regions. A pioneer of organic and fair trade practices in the Amazon, Sambazon supports over 10,000 farmers with fair wages and reinvests a percentage of its earnings into the renovation of schools, medical centers, and community buildings in Brazil. Ryan Black received the OPIC Impact President Award as recognition for his work in sustainability in the country.

As for the berries themselves, they have been dubbed a superfood, with claims that their antioxidant content is higher even than strawberries, blueberries, and cranberries. While many of the health claims associated with açaí have yet to be backed by research, there’s no harm in indulging in this tart berry as part of a balanced diet.

Here are just a few delicious ways to enjoy açaí, care of Sambazon.

Supergreens Berry Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 Supergreens Superfruit Pack
• 1 medium banana (6 – 8 inches,
 ripe with no green)
• 1⁄2 c frozen mixed berries (store brand)
• 1 c Knudsen organic apple juice

Instructions

Allow the superfruit pack to soften at room temperature for 2 – 3 minutes

Peel a banana and break it up into a Magic Bullet cup.

Break up the frozen pack with your hands into smaller chunks, then cut off the top of the pack and drop contents into the Magic Bullet cup.

Add 1⁄2 c of frozen mixed berries. Make sure there aren’t any 
large chunks.

Add 1 c Knudsen Organic Apple Juice.

Blend for 30 seconds, watching to make sure everything is mixed thoroughly.

Take the cup off the base, shake it, and then blend again for another 20 seconds.

If serving right away: pour your smoothie into sample cups 
and serve.

If not serving right away: place smoothie in the fridge or 
cooler. Blend again for a few seconds before serving. (Note: smoothie will be a dark purple color)

Protein Berry Smoothie Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 Performance Protein Smoothie Pack
• 1 medium banana (6 – 8 inches, 
ripe with no green)
• 1⁄2 c frozen mixed berries (store brand)
• 1 c Silk Original almond milk 
(sweetened)

Instructions

Allow the superfruit pack to soften at room temperature for 2 – 3 minutes

Peel a banana and break it up into the Magic Bullet cup.

Break up the frozen pack with your hands into smaller 
chunks, then cut off the top of the pack and drop contents 
into the Magic Bullet cup.

Add 1⁄2 c of frozen mixed berries. Make sure there aren’t any 
large chunks.

Add 1 c Silk Almond Milk (original, sweetened).

Blend for 30 seconds, watching to make sure everything is 
mixed thoroughly.

Take the cup off the base, shake it, and blend again for another 
20 seconds.

If serving right away: pour your smoothie into sample cups 
and serve.

If not serving right away: place smoothie in the fridge or 
cooler. Blend again for a few seconds before serving.

Performance Protein Bowl Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Performance Protein Superfruit Packs
• 1⁄2 banana
• 1 scoop vegan protein powder
• 1 tbsp nut butter
• 1⁄4 c almond milk
• 1 tbsp cacao powder
• Toppings: fresh seasonal fruit, sliced bananas, goji berries, hemp seeds, cacao nibs, mulberries

Instructions

Allow the superfruit pack to soften at room temperature for 2 – 3 minutes

Peel a banana and break it up into the Magic Bullet cup.

Break up the frozen pack with your hands into smaller 
chunks, then cut off the top of the pack and drop contents 
into the Magic Bullet cup.

Add the vegan protein powder, nut butter, almond milk, and cacao powder, and blend on low until smooth.

Pour into a bowl and top with the toppings.

If not serving right away: place bowl in the fridge or cooler. 
Blend again for a few seconds before serving.

Supergreens Bowl Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 Supergreens Superfruit Packs
• 1/8 c chocolate hemp milk
• 1⁄2 banana
• 2 tbsp Manitoba Harvest hemp protein 
powder
• 1 tsp maca
• Toppings: fresh seasonal fruit, granola, hemp seeds, fresh banana, golden berries, white mulberries, goji berries & bee pollen

Instructions

Allow the superfruit pack to soften at room temperature for 2 – 3 minutes

Peel a banana and break it up into the Magic Bullet cup.

Break up the frozen pack with your hands into smaller 
chunks, then cut off the top of the pack and drop contents 
into the Magic Bullet cup.

Add the chocolate hemp milk, Manitoba Harvest hemp protein powder, and maca, and blend on low until very thick.

If you are not happy with the consistency, continue to add 
liquid while blending.

Pour into a bowl and top with the toppings.

If not serving right away: place bowl in the fridge or cooler. 
Blend again for a few seconds before serving.

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Açaí bowl image via Shutterstock, other images care of Sambazon

The post 4 Delectable Recipes from Organic Açaí Pioneer Sambazon appeared first on EcoSalon.