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You may have seen a\u00e7ai (pronounced ah-sigh-EE) cropping up on brunch menus and in places dedicated to serving the vibrant purple bowls topped with fresh fruit and crunchy granola<\/a>. Since a\u00e7ai has a tart and earthy flavor profile, it pairs well with sweeter flavors like honey or maple syrup. But what exactly is a\u00e7ai? Here, we\u2019ll learn more about the fruit, where to find it, and how to use it.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A\u00e7ai berries are similar in size to a grape and have large seeds. After the berries are harvested, they are soaked to soften the skin, then mashed and strained to remove the seeds, creating a smooth pulp, explains Victor Vasconcellos, executive chef of Berimbau Brazilian Kitchen<\/a>. \u201cRaw a\u00e7ai tastes completely different from how people often experience it in sweetened bowls or with other fruit,\u201d he says. \u201cIn its true essence, raw a\u00e7ai is slightly sour, fatty, and earthy.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The a\u00e7ai served up in your breakfast bowl has a smooth, creamy texture. According to chef and food writer Ja\u00edne Mackievicz<\/a>, \u201cThe smell of a\u00e7ai is earthy and fruity, with notes of blueberry, black currant, and sometimes a hint of grape, followed by a sweetness reminiscent of dark chocolate.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A\u00e7ai berries are fragile. Since they don\u2019t ship well, the whole berries aren\u2019t available internationally so you\u2019ll never find fresh ones in the produce section. Because of that, the fruit is often blended into a pulp and sold frozen<\/a>, or even in powder form<\/a>. When purchasing a\u00e7ai either in the grocery store or online, look for certifications like Fair Trade, Organic, Rainforest Alliance<\/a>, or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)<\/a> to ensure sustainability,\u201d Mackievicz says. \u201cChoose brands that provide transparent sourcing information, as they support local Amazonian communities economically and culturally.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n The way a\u00e7ai is served in the U.S. is similar to what you\u2019d get in Brazil. \u201cIn most parts of Brazil, a\u00e7ai is prepared in the form of a thick, smoothie-like bowl called \u201ca\u00e7ai na tigela,\u201d made from frozen a\u00e7ai berries,\u201d Mackievicz says. She says bowls are often served with sliced bananas, strawberries, or other fresh fruit, along with granola, shredded coconut, powdered milk, and sometimes honey or sweetened condensed milk for sweetness. A\u00e7ai bowls are a popular breakfast or snack in Brazil.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Frozen a\u00e7ai pulp can also be used in savory and sweet recipes. For sweets, it is commonly used in cakes, flans, cheesecakes, and breads, Mackievicz says. \u201cIt is also great for ice creams, semifreddos, sorbets, and other frozen desserts, especially when combined with jams and nuts.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cAs an Amazonian, I grew up enjoying a\u00e7ai as a savory dip for fried fish, so that\u2019s my favorite way of preparing it,\u201d Mackievicz says. \u201cI combine 3 parts pure a\u00e7ai pulp with 2 parts water, 1 part lime juice, a generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, and a pinch of salt, as if I were making a vinaigrette.\u201d A\u00e7ai can also be used as a delicious dipping sauce, such as for barbecue or in a homemade ketchup, and even as a creative twist in alcoholic drinks, Mackievicz says. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nWhat Does A\u00e7ai Look and Taste Like?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n