First things first, it’s pronounced ah-sigh-ee. This smoothie sensation is the new go-to snack for everyone everywhere. It’s delicious all year round, especially in those hot summer months. Stores worldwide are now dedicated to selling these popular bowls; many are in Newport Beach.

So, what is an açaí bowl? The açaí berry is native to central and South America, specifically Brazil, and comes from the açaí palm tree. This berry is blended to become a thick smoothie that can stand alone or be the base for adding fruit. It is topped with ingredients such as granola, coconut, and strawberries. Açaí bowls are very vibrant, with purple açaí and a rainbow of fruits and other toppings. They can be eaten as a meal or a snack.

Açaí bowls have become extremely popular over the past twenty-five years, with stores popping up worldwide, even in countries like Iceland and Turkey. Surfers in the 1990s saw açaí bowls as a healthy snack after spending a day at the beach. “The açaí bowl trend began in the surf culture scene in Hawaii and Southern California in the early 2000s, and then gained acceptance within the health and fitness crowd along the West Coast.” Linda Fribl, former editor and reporter for Crittenden’s Retail Tenants Report, wrote. Another reason açaí bowls have become popular is their health benefits. Açaí bowls alone can be nutritious and full of antioxidants, but adding toppings or putting protein powder in the açaí can boost their nutritional value. Inside Corona del Mar’s Açaí Republic store, a wall lists some of açaí’s benefits: increased energy, improved mental focus, better sleep, helps prevent heart disease, and more.

Corona del Mar is full of açaí bowl shops like Sejuiced, Sunbliss, and Nekter; our CdM community loves them. A 9th grader at CdM said her favorite açaí bowl location is “Blue Bowl in UCI since it has the best granola-chocolate, and you can get multiple flavors of açaí.” Sophia McCleod, a 9th grader, said, “My favorite açaí bowl place is Banzai Bowls. I get strawberries, granola, kiwi, bananas, honey, and bee pollen. I like Banzai Bowls because they give you a lot of toppings. They also have smoothies.” Other popular shops in Newport Beach include Thrive Juice Lab, Jan’s Health Bar, and Pressed Juicery.