The Brazilian superfruits

‘SUPERFRUITS’ is a term used throughout the market to highlight and promote fruits that contain important nutraceutical values. In Brazil, two of the main superfruits include Acai berry and Guarana, rich in nutrients, such as fatty acids and fiber. Both can be found in juices, jellies, salads, teas, as well as in chocolates and candy, such as the acai with guarana candy from Peccin, the acai berry chocolate from Nugali and the acai flavored caramel from Embaré, for example.

Both acai berry and guarana possess antioxidant properties with proven and alleged health benefits contributing to the deceleration and cure of some diseases.

Acai berry, which means “the fruit that cries” because it expels water, is a native species of the Amazon wetlands. According to José Urano de Carvalho, agronomy engineer at Embrapa, the Amazon River locals consume acai because they like the drink, so much so that it often forms part of their breakfast in the form of porridge, for example. “Acai berry attracted the attention of the world for being a food rich in bioactive substances and elements, which act as antioxidants in the human body,” he said.

One of the Brazilian companies that has united the taste and benefits of acai berry to chocolate is Nugali. The Chocolate was developed with the purpose of combining natural flavors with Brazilian appeal. “Nugali chocolates, especially the Cacau em flor line are made with zero flavorings, artificial colors or preservatives, and are made with high levels of Brazilian aroma cacao, in other words, the products are characterized by expressing a uniquely Brazilian flavor. We believe that by being a typically Brazilian fruit, acai berry amplifies the Brazilian personality in the product,” said Ivan Blumenschein, Export Manager at Nugali.

Guarana is also from the Amazon and can be found cultivated in the Brazilian state of Bahia. The species was one of the first fruits to be domesticated by indigenous people and is still produced today with little use of inputs.