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What Is Açaí Base?
Açaí base, often spelled acai base, is the thick, frozen açaí layer of an açaí bowl: the part the toppings sit on. It is either blended to order from frozen açaí pulp or scooped ready-made from a tub of açaí sorbet.
Order an açaí bowl and the base is most of what you get. Here is what goes into it, how the two kinds differ, and how cafés serve it.
What is açaí base made of?
It starts with açaí, the fruit of a palm that grows in the Amazon. The part we eat is a thin layer of dark purple skin and pulp around a large seed, and it travels frozen. (What is açaí?)
What goes in with it depends on the kind of base:
- A blended base is frozen açaí pulp blended with other frozen fruit, often banana, and a small splash of liquid such as juice, milk or coconut water, until it is thick enough to hold a spoon.
- A ready-to-scoop base is açaí sorbet: açaí pulp churned and frozen with water, a sweetener and a stabilizer, so it holds its shape straight from the freezer.
Ours is the second kind. Organic Açaí Original Sensation is 60% organic açaí. The full ingredient list: Organic Açaí (60%), Filtered Water, Organic Cane Sugar, Organic Agave Syrup, Stabilizer (Sodium Alginate), Natural Flavor, Acidity Regulator (Citric Acid).
Is açaí base the same as açaí purée?
No. Açaí purée, also called açaí pulp, is the ingredient: plain frozen açaí, usually sold in flat packs for blending. A base is what you make from it, with fruit, liquid or sweetener added, ready to go in a bowl.
Is açaí base the same as açaí sorbet?
Açaí sorbet is one kind of açaí base: the kind made ahead and scooped. A blended base is made to order. Both end up in the same bowl under the same toppings. We compare the two in What is açaí sorbet?
What does açaí base taste like?
Açaí on its own tastes deep and earthy, and it is not very sweet. A base takes on what it is blended or sweetened with: a banana-heavy base tastes of banana, and a sorbet base tastes of açaí, sweetened. More in What does açaí taste like?
How do cafés serve açaí base?
A blended base means running the blender for every order and cleaning it in between. A sorbet base is portioned with an ordinary ice cream scoop straight from the tub, then topped and handed over. That is how our Sydney café serves it.
In the US, Original Sensation comes in a 22.49 lb (10.2 kg) foodservice bucket that holds about 69 servings of 2/3 cup (147 g). See the bucket specifications and bowl-cost calculator.
What is açaí base used for?
Mostly açaí bowls, topped with fruit, granola, nut butter or a drizzle. It also goes into smoothies, parfaits and party bowl bars. Ideas: serving ideas and açaí bowl toppings. For calories and sugar per serving, see our nutrition guide.
Related: What is açaí sorbet? · Açaí bowl at home without a blender · Organic Açaí Original Sensation · Foodservice
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.
Photos: served and scooped at our Sydney café, where the açaí is the same as our Original Sensation pint. Serving suggestion; toppings are not included. Product of Brazil.