Açaí vs pitaya: what is the difference?

Açaí bowls and pitaya bowls sit side by side on café menus, one deep purple and one hot pink. They are built the same way, but the fruit behind them could hardly be more different. Here is what sets them apart.

What is açaí?

Açaí (ah-sah-EE) is the fruit of the açaí palm, Euterpe oleracea, which grows across the Brazilian Amazon. The berry is small and almost black-purple, and it is mostly seed: only a thin outer layer is eaten. That layer becomes a smooth, thick purée. How to say and spell açaí.

What is pitaya?

Pitaya (pih-TY-uh) is another name for dragon fruit. It grows on a climbing cactus native to Mexico and Central America. The fruit usually has bright pink-red skin with leafy scales, and a yellow-skinned kind also exists. Inside, the flesh is white or a shade of red, up to deep magenta, depending on the kind, and it is full of tiny black seeds that you eat with it. Pitaya bowls get their color from the pink-fleshed kind.

How do açaí and pitaya taste?

• Açaí tastes deep and earthy, like dark berries with a hint of cocoa, and it is barely sweet on its own. More in What does açaí taste like?
• Pitaya tastes mild, lightly sweet and refreshing. People compare it to kiwi or watermelon, and the seeds add a little crunch.

In short: açaí is rich and dark, pitaya is light and bright.

Açaí bowl vs pitaya bowl

Both are a thick, cold fruit base with toppings on top: banana, strawberry, granola and coconut work with either. An açaí bowl is deep purple and tastes rich. A pitaya bowl is hot pink and tastes fresher and fruitier.

Can't choose? Make a half-and-half bowl: one scoop of each, side by side.

Açaí sorbet vs pitaya sorbet

Our sorbets scoop straight from the pint, so you can make either bowl without a blender.

• Organic Açaí Original Sensation is 60% organic açaí, sweetened with organic cane sugar and organic agave syrup. Deep and dark.
• Dragon Fruit & Pineapple is 50% dragon fruit and 20% pineapple. Hot pink and bright.

To make the bowls: an açaí bowl without a blender, or a pitaya bowl without a blender.

Which should you try first?

If you like dark chocolate and blackberries, start with açaí. If you like light, juicy fruit, start with pitaya. Still not sure? Find your flavor in three choices.

Related: How do you say açaí? · What is açaí sorbet? · Açaí bowl toppings · All ten flavors

Austropical açaí and tropical fruit sorbets are planned for US retail from March 2027, starting with Organic Açaí Original Sensation and Organic Mango in pints and Grab'n Go cups. The other eight flavors follow.