Acai bowl

Blend frozen açaí pulp with just a small splash of liquid, adding more only if the blender needs it. A frozen banana helps make the mixture creamy without turning it into a drink.

Frozen pulp gives the bowl its cold, sorbet-like texture and is the usual base. Powder is concentrated and won’t make the mixture cold or thick on its own, so blend it with frozen fruit.

Sliced banana, granola and fresh berries are familiar choices; toasted coconut, chopped nuts or seeds add crunch. Add the toppings after blending so they stay distinct.

Look for frozen açaí pulp rather than a ready-to-drink juice if you want a spoonable bowl. Unsweetened pulp lets you control the sweetness with fruit or a drizzle of honey.

It is best straight after blending, before the toppings soften. Keep leftover blended mixture covered in the freezer, then let it soften briefly and stir or re-blend before serving.

Yes. Let the frozen pulp soften just enough to break into pieces, cut any frozen banana into small chunks, and blend in short bursts, scraping down the sides between bursts. Add liquid a teaspoon at a time if the blades get stuck.