What Does Acai Taste Like?

Acai berries are a trendy “superfood” harvested from acai palm trees grown in the Amazon rainforest.

Dishes that feature acai — like acai bowls — are popping up on menus at smoothie shops and cafes throughout the United States.

If you’ve never tried it, you might be wondering what acai tastes like and which foods to pair with it. Keep reading to find out!

Acai Flavor

Many people describe acai’s flavor as a cross between blackberries and dark chocolate. In other words, it tastes fruity and tangy, but also earthy and bitter.

Fresh acai berries are difficult to find in the United States, so most people enjoy frozen acai puree or acai juice instead.

If you’ve never tried acai before, you may have one of these commonly asked questions:

What does acai powder taste like?

Acai powder has a faint berry-like flavor and a hint of tartness. When mixed into other foods, it’s a bit milder than acai puree.

Because all of the water has been removed, acai powder is perfect for use in baked goods, like cakes, cookies, and muffins.

It can also be substituted for frozen acai pulp in acai bowls and smoothies, although you might need to add some extra ice or frozen fruit. 

What does acai juice taste like?

Acai juice is bitter, tart, and a little sweet. Most brands add some sweetener to counteract the bitterness, along with preservatives like citric acid.

Many people use acai juice as a supplement, taking just a couple of tablespoons every day. It can also be added to drinks, smoothies, salad dressings, and sauces.

What do acai bowls taste like?

Acai smoothie bowls taste a lot like fruit smoothies, but the flavor really depends on what other ingredients you include.

Overall, they have a more complex flavor than your average smoothie, mainly due to the bitterness from the acai.

What foods pair with acai?

Because of its unique flavor, acai pairs with some foods better than others. We’ve listed some of the most common pairings below.

1. Fruits

One of the most popular ways to use acai is in fruit smoothies. Fresh fruit complements acai’s tangy flavor in the best way while providing some natural sugars to balance out the bitterness. Tropical fruits (or other sweet fruits) pair particularly well.

Try including some of the following fruits in your next acai bowl or delicious smoothie:

• Bananas
• Blueberries
• Cherries
• Dragon fruit
• Kiwi
• Mango
• Pineapple
• Strawberries
• Raspberries

2. Chocolate

Acai’s bitter, earthy taste pairs perfectly with chocolate and cocoa beans, while adding a nice acidic tang.

Blend cocoa powder into acai bowls and smoothies, or add some acai powder to deepen the flavor of chocolate cookies or brownies.

3. Peanut butter

It might sound like an unconventional pairing, but peanut butter and acai are a match made in heaven. Acai’s bitter, fruity flavor goes well with the savoriness of the peanut butter.

Drizzle over acai bowls, or blend a couple of tablespoons into a smoothie. You can also add some acai powder to peanut butter-flavored baked goods. If you’re feeling adventurous, try pairing acai with other nut butters as well!

4. Coconut

Shredded coconut complements the fruitiness of acai and brings a refreshing, tropical flavor to acai bowls and smoothies. 

Try using coconut milk or coconut water instead of the traditional juice or water when you blend the ingredients for your next acai bowl or sprinkle some shredded coconut on top of the finished product.

5. Oatmeal

Oatmeal’s mild flavor makes it a blank slate for just about any other food, and acai is no exception — it adds a nice fruity kick to this popular breakfast dish.

Swirl some acai pulp or powdered acai into your morning bowl of oatmeal for a sweet-and-sour flavor boost.

6. Salads

Acai is also perfect for salads — its fruity sweetness offsets the bitterness of salad greens like kale and arugula.

Add a splash of acai juice to your favorite vinaigrette, or whisk in a tablespoon of thawed acai pulp. It pairs better with oil and vinegar rather than creamy dressings.

7. Meats

Traditionally, acai has also been used in savory dishes that include meat. Acai’s combination of bitter, sweet, and sour flavors complements red meat and poultry, especially.

Try including some acai juice, pulp, or powder in meat marinades and sauces. Check out this delicious acai-based barbecue sauce recipe.

Final Thoughts

The taste of acai is often described as a cross between blackberries and dark chocolate. It tastes tart and fruity, but also earthy and bitter.

Acai berries pair well with sweet and savory foods alike. Use them in acai bowls, smoothies, baked goods, salad dressings, and meat marinades.

If you haven’t tried acai yet, this is your nudge to include this popular fruit in one of your meals this week!