Here’s Exactly What Goes into the Acai Bowl of Our Dreams
I cannot stress this enough: the difference between a bowl and a smoothie is the time it spends in the blender. An acai bowl has to be spoonable. It should be thick. You don’t drink an acai bowl. There are no straws involved, none of that. Now that we have that cleared up, let’s begin.
You guys have probably seen acai bowls on Instagram or at trendy coffee shops or wherever. They’re a great source of energy, nutrient-rich, and a good way to get a ton of fruit into your diet. Plus, they shake up the normal breakfast routine and are as easy as smoothies to make. You just need to know the right combinations for a reliable base and the right toppings to bring it all home. This is my version, which I think is pretty spot on. I make it in my kitchen or in the test kitchen, depending when and where I need a pick-me-up.
Before we start with assembly, I like to put my bowl in the freezer. Keeping the bowl cold keeps the base from melting, the same way a restaurant will serve you dinner on a warmed plate. Keeping it tight is what we’re all about. Remember, we want a bowl, not a smoothie.
The Base
The base combination I use gives you enough sweetness without being overwhelming and has a variety of flavors to keep it from being all fruit all the time.
Acai: I like to use Sambazon acai puree for my bowls because it has the best flavor and is pretty easy to source. You can find it easily in the frozen fruit section in Whole Foods and other major grocers. You want to break up the packet a bit using a hammer, rolling pin, or heavy skillet. This makes life a little easier for your blender.
Nut Milk: You could use regular milk here, but I like the deeper flavor that almond or hemp milk gives.
Dates: The date gives this bowl most of its sweetness. It’s not a cheap sweetness though; the flavor full-bodied and unique.
Banana, Blueberries, and Mango: This group of fruits is the foundation. Banana gives it a lot of body. Blueberries and mango add their respective flavors, and mango also gives a gooey (in a good way) texture.
Maca Powder : This is your source of energy in the base. This stuff will keep you going all day.
Kale: Yeah, there’s a little bit of green in here. Kale breaks up the all-fruit flavor and adds a bit of freshness to the mix. And yeah, more nutrients. Always good to get some greens.
Yogurt: Full-fat Greek yogurt will give you two things: creaminess and tang. A bowl without those two things isn’t a bowl I want to eat.
Lime: Last, but certainly not least, we need a little acid to brighten up the whole thing. This is the ingredient that most standard bowls forget.
The Toppings
Here’s where you can get a little crazy. You might want all these toppings, or you may prefer to switch a few out. That’s cool. It’s totally your call. My ideal toppings situation looks like this:
Chopped Nuts: Any kind of nut is cool with me. They give a nice crunch.
Slice Banana: More cream. More potassium.
Toasted Coconut Flakes: Who doesn’t love coconut? This is a no-brainer for gentle flavor.
Cocoa Nibs: It’s chocolate. It’s textural. Enough said.
Goji Berries: More antioxidants and a bit of tang. These little guys rule.
You don’t have to stop there. Fresh berries, dried figs, crushed cereal, pollens, salts, and citrus are all good options. And, remember, don’t overdo it in the blender. When you pour your mixture into the chilled bowl, it shouldn’t be soupy. If it is, we’re talking smoothies, and I like a bowl better.
Got your bowl in the freezer? You’re ready to blend:
