How to Make a Shake With Acai
Açaì is a fruit like any other. An açaì shake can be nostalgically rich like a malt-shop strawberry shake, or it can be a nutritious diet and protein energy supplement. Açaì comes in many forms, the most traditional being frozen pulp. However, in the United States, the most common form of açaì can be found in supplement pills and powder supplements. Acai can also come in a juice or syrup. Powders and syrups can be added to any protein shake to boost the protein and antioxidant levels. Either way you choose, the açaì berry has a unique flavor that will make any shake a delight to drink. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Milkshake:
- ½ cup açaì berry pulp
- ½ cup vanilla ice cream
- ¼ cup milk
- 1 chopped banana
- Protein Shake:
- 1 oz. açaì jiuce or 1 scoop açaì powder
- ½ cup fat free milk
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup fat free yogurt
- 1 to 2 scoops protein powder
- 1 chopped banana
Instructions
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Milkshake
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1
Purchase frozen açaì berry pulp. It is nearly impossible to find fresh whole açaì in the United States, and even in Brazil (where the berry grows) for that matter. Açaì is grown only in the Amazon rainforest, and only a tiny part of the berry is edible. That is why so little pulp is produced during extraction. In Brazil, açaì pulp is usually eaten in a semi-frozen state such as frozen yogurt or ice cream in a bowl with a spoon. It is usually topped with bananas and granola. You can find frozen açaì pulp in the U.S.; talk to local fruit vendors and import stores in your area, or purchase it online (the pulp will still be frozen by the time you receive it).
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2
Add chopped fruits to your shake. Although the frozen açaì will add thickness, shakes usually have a thick consistency. One chopped banana, a handful of chopped strawberries or a sliced-up mango will all pair nicely with açaì.
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3
Mix ½ cup frozen açaì pulp with the chopped fruit in a blender for three to five seconds. Add ½ cup of vanilla ice cream and ¼ cup milk. Pulse until smooth. If you prefer your shake less thick, add more milk. For a low fat milkshake, substitute ½ cup of crush iced for the ice cream and use fat free milk.
Protein Shake
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4
Purchase an açaì berry product. Açaì powders, juices, syrups and shake powders are available in health food stores. Depending on the açaì supplement, whether powder or liquid, the amount used will be slight in volume and should not alter the other ingredients. Note that most commercial açaì powder shake formulas come with their own preparation method.
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5
Combine ½ cup fat free milk, ¼ cup orange juice, ¼ fat free vanilla yogurt, 1 chopped banana, 1 to 2 scoops of protein powder and 1 to 2 oz. açaì juice (or 1 powder scoop equivalent). Mix thoroughly and test the texture; if it is too thin add crushed ice.
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6
Poor into glasses and enjoy.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Look for an açaì product that is certified as being organically grown. As with any fruit or vegetable, this guarantees that you will be getting a high quality product containing all the nutritional benefits.
Although no known side effects have been reported about the açaì berry, it's always a good idea to check with your physician first if you are taking any kind of medication before you eat açaì berry products.
