The acai berry is not a berry at all, but is in a fact a small round drupe. The fruit measures about 1 inch across and is similar in appearance to a grape. The acai drupe is produced in bunches of between 700 and 900 fruits. On an average healthy tree, two crops of the acai fruit are produced each year. Inside the drupe is a large seed, taking up around 80% of the total volume of the fruit.

Acai berries are traditionally harvested as food by the local Caboclo populations, with the resulting crop taking up almost 42% of their food intake by weight.

Acai degrades very quickly once it is harvest and, consequently, is very difficult — if not impossible — to transport in its natural form to anywhere outside the immediately surrounding area. This is the reason why acai is sold in so many different forms, from acai pulp, acai preserves, acai juice and acai berry supplements. A big benefit of Acai supplements are said to be an excellent aid to dieting.

It is said that only acai berry supplements retain almost all the nutrients that are present in the raw fruit, and as such another benefit of acai supplements are an easy and convenient way to get the acai goodness into a daily routine.