KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 7 — Acai... what’s that you ask? Labelled as the “super berry” from Brazil, it is the fruit of the acai palm tree that bears a close resemblance to blueberries.
Highly sought after as a rich source of anti-oxidants, the acai berry is a healthy snack that is slowly making its presence felt around our city. Originally eaten unsweetened in Brazil, the acai berry is a popular component for the smoothie bowl.
Touted as a healthy breakfast replacement, smoothie bowls are made from whizzing up frozen fruits and healthy ingredients like the acai berry or nut milks. These smoothie bowls are the rage all over the world, driven by Instagram where everyone is sharing a photogenic picture of their own version.
Thicker than the normal smoothies we slurp down with a straw, it is also topped with your preferred mix of ingredients. Usually it is all kinds of healthy superfoods to make it a more substantial meal. This could be fresh fruits, chia seeds, buckwheat or even granola. A popular trend overseas, it only arrived on our shores late last year but we won’t rule out seeing it pop up in more places in the future.
Grab a spoon and dig in... who knows, you may like it especially after all that bingeing on Chinese New Year snacks.
Goodness Greens Cafe, 32, Jalan Datuk Sulaiman, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, KL.
Tel: 03-77320235
Opened by La Juiceria which distributes cold-pressed juices, this breezy cafe adds a healthy spin to the neighbourhood offerings. Drop by for a nutritious purple acai smoothie bowl that is sure to sustain you till lunch.
The smoothie bowl is a mix of bananas, strawberries, acai powder and maple syrup. La Juiceria’s almond milk is also added to thin down the thick smoothie.
Each bowl is topped with dried coconut, cocoa nibs, fruits like bananas and strawberries, bee pollen and chia seeds. Other breakfast choices include a pitaya bowl or even their homemade granola paired with their own nut milks.
You can also pick up your choice of salad or their thick comforting soups. Parking spaces tend to be scarce at this densely populated area though. If you prefer, call the cafe and place your orders and you can drive past to pick up.
Impressed, Lower Ground Floor, Nu Sentral, Brickfields, KL.
Tel: 03-22761290
Launched the end of the year, this cold-pressed juice bar offers a selection of smoothie bowls that include an acai smoothie bowl. Order your smoothie bowl and they will whizz it up for you. It’s served in a plastic takeaway bowl that you can enjoy at the bar. Seats are limited so it may be better to just take it back to the office or home.
The smoothie is made from acai berries, frozen bananas and strawberries. Coconut water is added to thin out the thick smoothie. You may find the odd frozen strawberry though that has been missed by the blender. It’s topped with buckwheat, chia seeds, sliced bananas and strawberries.
They have four types of smoothie bowls with flavours like berries, pitaya, mango and an indulgent chocolate peanut butter one. The Choco-Nana smoothie has cocoa, bananas, granola supplied by homegrown label Amazin’ Graze, and sugar-free Joey’s Homemade Peanut Butter. For those who prefer something different, they also let you customise your own smoothie bowls with their mix of ingredients.
Seoul Bing Dessert Cafe, No. G-46, PV128, Jalan Genting Kelang, Setapak, KL.
Tel: 03-41314228
The acai bowl looks oddly out of place in this Korean dessert cafe amid the bingsu and toast topped with injeolmi or toasted soy powder. Their interpretation is also different... more like a dessert rather than a health food.
The smoothie is mixed with cornflakes which gives it a nice crunchy texture. It is topped with a mix of fresh fruits like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, dragon fruit, apples, grapes and kiwi fruits. Nevertheless the smoothie is pleasant to eat as you tap your feet to the K-pop tunes played at this spacious cafe.
