Acai Berry History

Recent media coverage showcasing the amazing health benefits of the acai berry has piqued the interest of more and more health conscious Americans. TV shows like Oprah presented scientific evidence promoting the acai berry’s exciting health benefits. It is now extremely popular in juices and smoothies.

The acai berry is relatively new to the western world but has been used for centuries by natives of the Amazon. They call it the “fruit that cries,” locally known as “ica-ica.” It has a long history of use by native healers for curing common ailments and there is even a legend that explains the origin of the berry’s name.

Long ago, when food was scarce Itaki, chief of an Indian tribe, ordered the sacrifice of all newborn children. Tragically, when his daughter whose name was Iaca, gave birth, no exceptions were made. One night, under a full moon, after mourning for many days and nights, she heard the sound of a crying child.

She ran to her daughter, and held her close next to a beautiful palm tree laden with dark purple fruit.

The dead body of Iaca was found the next morning. Her eyes were staring up to the top of the palm tree and her arms were wrapped around the trunk. Chief Itaki immediately ordered the tribe to gather the fruit. Not only did it satisfy their hunger they experienced a renewed energy.

Itaki announced that newborn babies would no longer be sacrificed and decreed that this fruit would henceforth be called acai, the name of his daughter Iaca, spelled backwards.

The acai berry although discovered and grown in the Amazon Rainforest, gained popularity, thousands of miles away in Rio de Janeiro. The world- renowned Brazilian soccer teams began using the acai frozen pulp mixed with guarana as an energy booster. The famous Gracie Jiu-Jitsu family also began utilizing it before workouts. Today, part of a typical modern Brazilian breakfast includes acai.