Recently discovered by countries outside of Brazil, mainly because it quickly deteriorates after it is harvested, the acai berry has been used for centuries by the Amazon natives. Pronounced "içá-çai" ("the fruit that cries") by the natives, it has been used for food and medicine, and holds importance with legend and folklore.
Legend and Folklore of The Acai Berry
For the natives of the Amazon forests, acai berry is centered among folklore and legend. According to this legend, the palm tree that produces the "fruit that cries" was discovered accidentally by an Amazon Indian girl named “Iaca,” the daughter of the tribe’s chief. At that time, the food supply was running low and there was no longer enough food for everyone. For this reason, the tribe's chief made a decree that all newborns would be sacrificed until the food supply is replenished. However, his own daughter, Iaca, was pregnant. When her baby was born, it was sacrificed, upholding the decree. Iaca grieved for many days, but then she heard her child's voice in the forest. She followed the voice until she came across an acai berry tree. The next day, she was found dead, next to the acai palm tree. It is believed, that when she discovered such a large source of food, something that could have saved her child, it was too much for her to handle.
The tribe's leader lifted the sacrifices after the discovery of this new source of food. The acai berry was then named in honor of his daughter (Acai is Iaca spelled backwards). With the new source of food, the tribe grew.
Modern History Of Acai Berry
For centuries, the acai berry has been used for consumption and medicine by the peoples of Brazil, but because of the berry's delicate nature, it wasn't able to be brought to Rio until recently. It wasn't until the 1980s, when refrigerated trucks could bring frozen berries to Rio from the Amazon forests, that people in the cities were able to enjoy the acai berry benefits. Now, for many in Brazil, it has become a staple as part of breakfast and dinner.
Recently, new medical studies from the U.S. and some European countries have been uncovering more health perks. Science communities have tested and found that acai berry has many health benefits. For this reason, interests in the berry began to increase and in 2000 companies began finding ways to bring the product to market.
Acai Berry's Increase in Popularity
While the berry became more renowned in Rio de Janeiro, famous athletes in soccer and the Gracie Jui Jitsu family further hyped the product to others around the world by talking about the benefits of consuming acai berry before exercise to boost energy.
Now, talk show hosts like Oprah and Rachel Ray have further increased the popularity of the berry. What is more, it has become commercialized in the United States and Europe. Today, many people in the U.S. and Europe, looking for the health and weight loss benefits, are taking advantage of the acai berry.
From the legend to modern capitalism, the berry has continued to maintain its title as a "super food." It is likely headed towards becoming one of the most popular supplements on the market.
For more information, read Benefits of Acai Berry.
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