I love having smoothies for breakfast, but sometimes I need something with a bit more substance to it, but not as warming or filling as porridge.
That’s when I have smoothie bowls! They’re light and refreshing, and just remind me of having ice cream with tons of toppings for breakfast! They’ve been popping up everywhere on the internet, and people everywhere seem to be going crazy for them, especially for one in particular – the açaí bowl!
Growing up in Brazil, açaí bowls were just another thing we had (and loved), so when the world started falling in love with them I found it kinda funny, as people everywhere were talking about açaí as if it was this cool new thing when in fact it had been around for ages!
Having eaten it since I was a child, and recently travelling through Brazil, I’ve had my fair share of good (and bad) açaí bowls.
A good one needs to be deliciously creamy, cold, and flavoursome without being too sweet. It’s horrible when you tuck into a bowl and it’s all gritty and icy. Not good.
Back home, an açaí bowl is usually made frozen açaí fruit, banana and guarana syrup topped with granola, honey, and some more banana and maybe some other fruit (strawberries and mango tend to be a favourite).
Now, I’ve modified mine a little from the original, but still stuck to the basics of fruit and granola, as I think that it’s what works best together. The granola gives it the crunch and the banana-açaí base makes it super creamy! Oh, and I’ve also added some edible flowers!
Now, before I give you guys the recipe, I want to talk about açaí. Most people have seen the name somewhere and even had it before, but it seems not many know why it’s such a great little berry!
It comes from the Amazon rainforest, and it grows on top of a specific palm tree (you can see a picture of it in this post!). It’s packed with antioxidants, which are amazing their anti-ageing properties and for promoting heart health. There is also research suggesting it may help prevent cancer and improves cellular health!!
It’s an amazing berry, and in the beaches of Brazil you can spot surfers having theirs before a day out in the waves, as it’s a great source of energy when combined with guarana!
For my cardamom and vanilla granola click here!
For my paleo no grain-ola click here!