From the Heart of the Amazon: My Visit to an Açaí Factory in Brazil

Gratefood Co
7 hours ago
2 min read

Have you ever wondered where your açaí bowl really begins?

For most of us, it starts at breakfast; cold, creamy, and topped with fruit and granola. But for me, this story began in Brazil, deep in the region where the Amazon River winds through lush green forests, the true home of açaí.

This trip wasn’t just another factory visit. It was a journey to see how the Gratefood açaí you enjoy every day is made — from the moment the berries are harvested to when they’re packed, frozen, and shipped across the world.

Harvesting the Açaí

Every morning, before sunrise, local harvesters known as peixeiros or açaí collectors climb tall, slender palm trees — sometimes up to 20 meters high — with incredible agility.

Using a simple loop of rope around their feet for grip, they scale the trees to cut down heavy clusters of deep purple açaí berries. Each bunch can weigh up to six kilograms!

The harvested berries are gathered in woven baskets made from palm leaves, carried by boat or small trucks through winding forest trails to the nearest river ports.

From there, they’re transported to regional markets, often still glistening with morning dew, where factory buyers and cooperatives collect them within hours of harvest to ensure maximum freshness.

That’s where I first saw them: baskets of freshly harvested açaí arriving at the factory gates, ready for the next stage of their journey.

Cleaning & Soaking

At the factory, the berries are poured onto a conveyor belt while workers remove natural debris like sticks and leaves by hand. Then they’re washed and soaked in large tubs of clean water to remove any impurities — a simple but essential step that preserves their purity.

I even tried peeling the skin off one, it came off so easily once soaked. That’s when you truly appreciate how soft and delicate the açaí fruit really is.

Separating the Pulp

Next, the berries enter a machine that uses friction and centrifugal force to separate the pulp from the seed. Watching the rich, velvety purple pulp flow out was mesmerising — that’s pure açaí, nothing more.

Pasteurisation & Packing

The pulp is filtered, pasteurised, and blended in stainless-steel tanks before being packed into sealed bags. This ensures that every pack of Gratefood açaí stays fresh, safe, and consistent in quality — exactly how nature intended.

Each bag is pressed, frozen immediately, and stacked neatly on pallets ready for export.

From the Amazon to Your Bowl

Standing there, surrounded by the hum of machines and the scent of fresh berries, I realised how much care, precision, and passion go into every step of the process.

These berries travel thousands of miles — from the rainforest canopy to riverboats, from factory floors to freezers — before landing in your hands as Gratefood açaí.

It’s more than just a superfood. It’s a story of nature, community, and connection — from the heart of the Amazon, all the way to your smoothie bowl. 💜🌿