The legend of Acai Berry

Mar 23, 2009 Acai Berry

Acai berry has pronounced Brazilian roots. Here it was picked for the first time and there is an ancient Brazilian legend that explains the origin of Acai berry. First of all we should mention that Acai berry grows on a palm tree in the Northern regions of Brazil. Native inhabitants of these lands call it “ica-cai” - “fruit that cries”.

The legend tells us that once there was an Amazon Indian girl Iaca, daughter of the tribal chief. One day their tribe became so big that there were not enough food for everyone. Forced to make a decision that would have saved his people, chief announced an order according to which all newborn babies must be killed. His people followed thier chief’s order even when his own daughter gave birth to a child. After that horrible event Iaca stayed in her hut alone mourning her child’s death. One day she heard a crying baby ( or at least she thought so). She went out of her hut searching for the crying child, but this sound only led her to a palm tree. In a great despair she lay down under this palm tree and died.

The next day she was found by her tribe and they also discovered a palm that gave enough food and re-energized the whole tribe. After that her father cancelled his order and declared that this tree should be named after his daughter (“Acai” is “Iaca” spelled backwards). With this superfood (as we know it now) the tribe grew and prospered.

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