Post 964: National Acai Bowl Day. Acai has exploded in global popularity in recent years. Not only is the superfood rich in nutrients, but it can be a sustainable pick as well. . 🌎 The Good: Native rainforest crop, non-destructive collection: Acai may be relatively new to the Western world, but it's been growing natively in the Amazon for generations. The palms grow in the shade of larger trees and are traditionally harvested by climbing the trees and chopping down the berry clumps. When grown in its natural habitat, the palms also enjoy natural water irrigation, floodwater nutrients, and decomposing organic material. . 🌎 The Bad: Monoculture farms produce lower quality products: Just like anything that becomes popular - corporations will ruin its best features in order to flip a profit. While acai grows in and amongst rainforest trees, large monoculture farms have popped up, clearing the rainforest along the way. While it may make more sense on the business side, clearing and farming in this way not only damages the forest, but produces smaller fruit bunches of lower quality fruit (thanks to a lack of nutrients and organic fertilizers). . 🌎 The Verdict: Do your research: No matter what the product is - doing some looking into the ingredients, process, and values of a company can ensure you're buying something you stand by. Support sustainable, and in this case, get a better-quality product for it! . . Read more about Acai farming: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lessons-from-the-amazon-how-sustainability-plays-a-big-role-in-tropical-acais-success-301460959.html . Graphic shows an acai palm tree in front of a rainforest. The factoid reads: "Acai palms grown in monoculture farms produce lower quality fruit in smaller clumps than rainforest grown ones." . . #acai #acaibowl #nationalacaibowlday #acaibowlday #sustainablefarming #sustainability #sustainablefoods #superfood #pixelplanet #pixelplanettoday #pixelart #planetfacts #artivism #climatedesign