sambazon acai bowl   Credit: Sambazon



sambazon acai bowl   Credit: Sambazon

sambazon acai bowl Credit: Sambazon

sambazon acai bowl

Credit: Sambazon

Miss the açaí bowls you used to grab for breakfast or a snack from a cafe or juice bar? Even if your go-to spot has remained opened during the coronavirus pandemic—or reopened after local restrictions were lifted—you likely don’t miss the hefty price tag that often comes with those Instagrammable superfood bowls. And your body likely doesn’t miss the 65-gram-per-serving sugar rush from it, either.

The lower sugar content and lower price are two of many reasons why we’re sweet on Sambazon’s new ready-to-eat açaí bowls ($3.49, target.com). You may have heard of the company’s açaí superfruit packs, which we’ve used to blend up topping-friendly smoothie bowls at home. But the newest addition to Sambazon’s line means we can all now get in on the açaí action without having to use (read: clean) a blender.

Let’s rewind: For those unacquainted with açaí, it’s a berry that’s earned “superfood” status by many for its powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins. These anthocyanins have been linked to many health benefits, including sharper eyesight and reduced risk for chronic diseases, including heart disease and certain cancers, according to research published in the journal Food & Nutrition Research.

Açaí berries are grown in South America on palm trees and taste a bit like a dark chocolate-berry blend. The berries can be enjoyed in a variety of forms, but often come processed in some way (rather than available whole), since the berries are 80% seed. Açaí berries are usually blended up into chilled, fruit-and-nut-topped bowls, which can go for $10 a pop (depending on the portion size and the part of the country you reside in).

Remove from the freezer. Tear off the toppings cup. Microwave for 10 seconds. Stir, and garnish with the mixture provided or as desired.

No need to feel bad about the use-and-toss bowls. The bowl itself and its lid are both made from 100% plant-based materials. Compared to a plastic alternative, these cut carbon dioxide emissions by 43% and save 47% more energy, according to Sambazon CEO and co-founder Ryan Black.

Since grapes are among the top sources of anthocyanins besides açaí, we have our next face mask-rocking supermarket run aligned to correspond with Whole Foods’ epic rosé sale. That way, we can stock up on a few of these bowls and some vino all at once. All for the sake of better vision and some chronic disease-prevention, right?

Remove from the freezer.

Tear off the toppings cup.

Microwave for 10 seconds.

Stir, and garnish with the mixture provided or as desired.