Truly Buzz-Worthy

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by Hannah (BitterSweet)

All it took was one glowing recommendation from America’s favorite talk show host, and the market was suddenly flooded with new products utilizing acai berry, the supposed super-food that claims to do everything from preventing wrinkles to aiding in weight loss. Costing a small fortune, lacking scientific evidence to support such fantastical allegations, and never once mentioning anything about being delicious, I didn’t exactly race out to see what the hype was about myself. Rather, despite giving these exotic fruits the cold shoulder, the hype came to me, in the form of some trial acai berry juice acquired during my visit to the Fancy Foods Show. Tentatively taking a small first sip, my fears were instantly realized- Bitter, medicinal, and chalky at best, this was no beverage I wished to even store in my fridge. Perhaps it was just the brand, or the individual batch, but this strange witch’s brew did not agree with my palate.

Unfortunately, my generous sample of two full cartons sat dejectedly in the chill chest, untouched and unloved. Trying to think of the health benefits while pinching my nose and chugging the juice, I was able to polish off the first, but I couldn’t help but think that there must be a better way to finish the second. Far too valuable to simply dump, I set about searching for a tastier solution.

This was definitely a job for dark chocolate, an anti-oxidant powerhouse itself and the ultimate flavor enhancer, guaranteed to cover up the nastier aspects of that uber-healthy berry. Taking it easy on such a hot summer day, basic fudgesicles with some hidden nutritional benefits were just what the doctor ordered.

Superfood Fudgsicles

1/2 Cup Coconut Milk
3.5 Ounces Dark Chocolate, Finely Chopped
11 Ounces Acai Juice
1/3 Cup Agave Nectar
Pinch Salt

Heat the coconut milk for 60 – 90 seconds, until just on the brink of boiling, and pour it over the chocolate. Let sit for a few minutes to allow the chocolate to melt, and then stir well, until completely smooth. Pour in the acai juice, agave, and salt, and mix thoroughly to combine. Let cool to room temperature, and pour into popsicle molds. Place in the freezer and allow at least 4 hours before serving, or until the popsicles are completely solid.

Makes 6 – 8 popsicles

Printable Recipe

38 thoughts on “Truly Buzz-Worthy”

  1. never thought of combining chocolate and acai. did you ever get around to trying the frozen acai berry puree from whole foods? that’s the one I usually buy and add to my smoothies. your shot of the popsicle in the ice is great!

  5. Clever! It’s great that you didn’t let all that juice go to waste. Wasting food is one of my pet peeves – I hate it! And anything combined with chocolate can’t be all bad! ;-)

  6. Looks lovely!

    I really like the shape/design of that popsicle, too.

    Sounds like the perfect way to cover up that less-than-stellar acai taste, just like you said :)

  7. I love the fact you took something that tasted bad and used it to make something that looks and sounds delicious! That definitely appeals to my frugal nature!

  11. I don’t think I’ve ever tried acai berry by itself…only in smoothies and stuff where I couldn’t really taste it. And even then it wasn’t for its “powers” it just happened to be there. Now….acai and chocolate, that I can get excited about :)

  14. I had the same reaction to acai juice. Blech! Your popsicles look fun, but I’d probably substitute blueberry juice (a superfood that tastes good! Ha!)

  16. It looks good in popsicle form.

    Isn’t health hypes funny? Have you heard fo Goji Berries? People are putting it into any food that they can. Lke Brownies! I gag at that because I grew up wih goji berries, but the Chinese use it in herbal soups and drinks. We don’t exactly eat them because the soup has the extraction in there along with other weird herbal roots and stuff I use to wonder what it was.

  19. Wow – you are positively pumping out the posts! (like that alliteration?)
    Dark chocolate makes nearly everything better! Love the picture.

  20. What a great after school snack for kids! I used to think that acai actually resembled chocolate but I think that adding real dark chocolate to cover it up is a great idea. Can you substitute a milk that’s lower in fat for coconut milk?

  23. You’ve done it again – another genius recipe. That cookbook at the top of your page, “my sweet vegan”, do they sell it in stores? Or can I only order through you? Or online? I want to buy it. Your recipes are freaking incredible.

  35. This is amazing. It would be the most perfect nutrient dense treat for my Crohn’s and cancer clients who are in desperate need of nutrients and have little to no appetite.

  36. Acai is best eaten sweet (cold with sugar) or if not, combined with food, like fish, meat or dried shrimp. Those are the traditional ways of eating it , and i gotta say, better than mixing it with granola, banana or whatever they created to ‘pump’ the idea acai berry is the new superfruit – energetic and full of nutrients.

    I’m from where acai berry is original – pará state, brazil.

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