Brazil is suddenly the word on everyones lips. Its the place to live, the place to invest. Home to one of the worlds best climates, it boasts the second greenest city on the globe (Joao Pessoa) and the second-cleanest air, after Antarctica.

Brazil is also home to some of the most healthy and exotic foods available, no more so than the famous Amazon region where the trees of the rainforest simply groan under the weight of hundreds of different types of tropical fruit. Many of these have been discovered to offer significant health benefits and suddenly names such as pupunha, capuau and grumixama are tripping off peoples tongues in juice bars and cafs from North to South. It is the aai berry, though, that is unarguably responsible for the Brazilian health food revolution that is taking not just Brazil but also the US by storm.

The acai berry is small and purplish in colour and grows on the acai palm that is native to the Amazon. The berry has been used for centuries by those in the know to give them an energy surge and boost their physical strength. It is also well known for providing extra nutritional value to a diet.

The reputation of this unassuming little berry is now well and truly blooming. Acai is jam-packed full of amino acids, essential omegas, fibers, antioxidants, phytonutrients, anthocyanins and protein, leading it to be hailed as the greatest superfood ever discovered. And if that’s not a compelling enough reputation, it has even been shown in preliminary trials to have the potential to fight cancer cells.

Acais most common incarnation is in juice blends, smoothies and other drinks, made using the nutrient-rich berry pulp. It has also become a highly-popular ice cream flavour. It is so popular that in recent years thousands of dedicated aai ice cream parlours have opened up across the country. Acai na tigela (acai in a bowl) is a popular snack at any time of day, comprising a bowl of acai-based ice cream swathed in fresh fruits, honey and granola and often accompanied by other tropical flavours such as capuau for an extra-special energy kick.

Acai deteriorates rapidly after harvest, however it lends itself very effectively to a number of means of preservation and is exported as seeds or in juice, frozen fruit pulp, dried and freeze dried formats.

Across the US and Europe, health food stores and the health conscious are waking up to the potential of acai and it is increasingly being used in capsule, pill and powder format for use as a dietary supplement. Its many benefits are certainly compelling ” boosting of immune function, mental focus, energy levels and a healthy digestive tract, not to mention its anti-ageing qualities. It has even earned itself the alternative name of the Brazilian Viagra!

As an aai convert, I firmly believe in a daily dose of this remarkable little berry. In fact I can almost feel the withdrawal symptoms if I miss my morning helping of acai na tigela. So why not book a flight to Brazil and find out for yourself just how good this thing tastes on home turf?

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