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For years, I’ve always felt proud that I could make a better nutrient-rich smoothie and milkshakes than Uncle Joe’s Cream shop. Yesterday morning, however, I came across a WebMD post on the numerous health benefits of Acai berries and realized there’s still more to learn. In this article, therefore, I will not only help you choose the best blender for Acai Bowls but also share with you some interesting tips I learned myself.
What’s So Special about Acai Bowl?
Truthfully, I truly love and respect to not lie to you. I didn’t know about Acai Bowls until this weekend when that post on Acai berries caught my eyes. Yes, I’m a big fan of berries, but strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and cranberries have always been my favorite.
Like many in this family, Acai berries pack high content of antioxidants that are important to neutralize the damaging effects of free radicals. Different from others, however, this “superfruit” is actually somewhat higher in fat and low in sugar.
For instance, if you make 100 grams of frozen Acai fruit pulp, you’ll get up to…
- 70 Calories
- 5 grams Fat
- 1.5 grams Saturated Fat
- 4 grams Carbs
- 2 grams sugar
- 2 grams fiber
- 15% (of the RDI) Vitamin A
- 2% (of the RDI) Calcium
Meanwhile, that frozen Acai berries puree you make is what people call Acai Bowl. The name is borrowed from Brazil, where most serve the smoothie dish in a bowl, though you can still use it from a glass.
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Can I Make Acai Bowls with a Blender?
While its bright color may make you think otherwise, the Acai Bowl recipe doesn’t need any special skills to make. You don’t even need any sophisticated machine, other than a blender with the right blade and power.
Usually, an Acai Bowl consists of a super thick smoothie and some toppings of your choice. But to make a dense puree, you’ll need to use frozen fruits and the preferential liquid. So, your blender must be able to handle ice pretty well for you to get the best results.
As for my case, I still have my classic Vitamix 5200, which I’m hoping not to part ways anytime soon. The blender, of course, isn’t cheap, but for the years I’ve owned it, I totally got nothing to regret about.
Of course, the model is not the only best blender for Acai Bowls. There are several other and affordable alternatives that you may find perfect for your situation- that’s if you don’t have one yet.
Some include:
The 7 Best Blenders for Making a Creamy Acai Bowls
Editor’s Choice: Vitamix 5200 [001372] Classic Professional-Grade Blender
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Vitamix 5200 Blender, Professional-Grade, Container,...
- Create every course of your home-cooked meal – from fresh smoothies to creamy desserts – in...
- Variable Speed Control: 10 Speeds you can easily adjust to achieve a variety of textures. The dial...
As mentioned, this is the blender I have in the kitchen for now. Thus, am sure of its capabilities and drawbacks whenever I write about it.
The model is one of the oldest in the Vitamix catalog, with only the basic blending features. It doesn’t have automatic blending in case you might be interested in the function, for sure. But all the controls are “automatic”, or else straightforward to operate.
The blender has a powerful motor (approximately 1500 watts) that you can use to process your frozen Acai fruits fast and efficiently. According to the maker, this motor even has a peak horsepower boost that helps it start on a high thrust to handle initial resistance. Hence, one of the many reasons it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to processing icy foods, dry grains, and other tough ingredients.
Even better, the Vitamix has a tall, slender pitcher that makes it possible to blend even small batches of acai bowls. And thanks to the precise container design, plus the included tamper, you can get a smoother blend in a single run. No, you don’t need to stop the motor to scrape the walls and push the stubborn food to the blades.
Pros:
- It blends materials fast and thoroughly
- Has a chute to add fruits or use with tamper
- So easy to start and operate
- Can make hot soups
- Features variable speed to create a variety of textures
- It’s a well-made and durable design
Cons:
- Tricky to store in the kitchen cabinets (in my case)
- It’s so loud when blending- in particular, frozen foods or grains
Best Budget: Ninja [BL610] Ice, Frozen Fruit Countertop Blender
If you need the best blender for acai bowls but have a slim budget, Ninja Kitchen might be a great point to start. Not only does the manufacturer operate at a low price-point, but also offers machines very reliable in dealing with ice.
If it’s this particular BL610, the pitcher has the exclusive stacked 6 blade assembly that’s primarily for crushing ice. Hence, allowing you to make your thick acai smoothie faster and to a high consistency. Still, this container has a large capacity of 72 ounces maximum. So, you can make drinks enough for an entire family.
That said, though, this blender has a slightly lower motor rating (1000 watts) than the Vitamix 5200. However, the size is pretty enough for most kitchen tasks, not limited to making delicious sauces and dips on top of crushing ice.
The blender does have three speeds and a pulsing feature. So, you can create a variety of textures with maximum efficiency.
Pros:
- It features a sleek and high-performance design
- Can handle ice and frozen fruits with ease
- Has a unique pouring spout for easy serving
- So easy to operate
- It’s very affordable
Cons:
- The sharp blades can easily cause injuries
- No tamper. So, you have to stop the motor and open the lid to push the stubborn chunks into the blades
Best Design: Blendtec [TB-621-20] Total Classic Smart Countertop Blender
If innovation and smart tech is your thing, Blendtec can make a real good company for you. I haven’t tried the brand yet, but it’s the major competitor of Vitamix when it comes to Blenders war. The Utah-based manufacturer, however, has managed to stand out through its unmatched inventiveness, starting with the unique trapezoid power base.
As for this Total Classic blender, it comes with the fourside jar that usually blends while pulling the materials towards the blade. The blade is also the patented thick design, with two upright wings and dull edges. So, it’s impossible to cut or poke your finger.
Regardless, the blender doesn’t depend on the blade sharpness, but the power, in which case it pummels the ingredients to pieces. This includes both the soft, wet foods and the toughest ingredients like frozen acai, blueberries, and strawberries.
More to love, the machine has 6 pre-programmed blending cycles that can come in handy when multitasking or if new to using a blender. There’s also an illuminated LCD timer that shows the time remaining for your blending cycle to complete.
Pros:
- It has high power and variable speeds for different blending texture
- Delivers high consistent bends and fast
- Can make a hot meal or beverage
- Very easy and safe to clean
- It can fit in the standard kitchen cabinets without a hassle
Cons:
- It’s relatively expensive
- Very noisy when blending
Bestseller: Ninja [BL660] Total Crushing Countertop Blender
That’s right. This blender is the top bestseller model on my list, featuring over 17,000 5-star customer ratings on Amazon (only).
At a glance, the blender is much like its sister model BL610 in a number of ways. For one, it has the 72-ounce jar that gives you up to 9 cups of blends for an entire family. Also, the container has the unique stacked blade system that allows you to pulverize ice to snow, and frozen fruits to creamy smoothies in seconds.
That being the case, nonetheless, this blender has a slightly higher power (1100-watts) motor, which translates to faster and tougher blending ability. Also, you can use it as a countertop or a personal model for making single-serving drinks and veggies.
Upon purchase, the blender comes with its large jar and two Nutri Ninja cups for single-serve blending. So, you won’t need to make any other buys, unless it’s for the food materials.
Pros:
- It’s quite powerful for a blender of its value
- Easy to blend with your stylish kitchen
- Features intuitive, easy to use buttons
- Has a friendly budget
- It includes multiple speed and a pulse setting for better control
Cons:
- Very loud when at work
- Tricky to sneak under some kitchen cabinets
- It uses a plastic metal drive system.
Alternative 1: Hamilton Beach [54220] Wave Crusher Glass Blender
If you need an affordable option to be making your own acai bowls, Hamilton Beach is not that bad. The brand also operates under a low price-point, even far much than Ninja Kitchen. However, the settings of the blenders are far more basic, but okay if you’re not expecting much.
If it’s this model, for instance, there’s no a dedicated incremental speed setting- let’s say like that of Vitamix or Blendtec. Instead, the blender has preset blending functions that target different tasks at different speeds.
If it’s a green smoothie you want, the blender has a “Smoothie Grate” function that you can use. And in the case of an acai bowl, there’s a “Grind Icy Drink” button that is for handling any frozen fruits.
Even so, the blender does have low and high pulse buttons. Thus, you can still achieve precise results for those delicate recipes you fear messing up when the motor is running continuously.
Pros:
- It uses a tough, heavy glass jar for the blending
- Doesn’t use up much space on the counter or storage
- Quick and effortless to clean (by hands or dishwasher)
- Includes an integrated pour spout for easy, no-mess serving
- It’s very affordable.
Cons:
- Not ideal if you need a professional-grade blender
- It struggles on dry ice (with no liquid)
Alternative 2: Cleanblend Classic High-Power Countertop Blender
This is an alternative blender that you can consider if you need a high-power motor for processing tougher ingredients. In fact, the model is a close replica of the Vitamix 5200 (physically), including the power base.
The footprint is pretty large as it measures about 8.5″ x 8″ x 8.5″ for the depth, width, and height respectively. So, I’m pretty sure it can be difficult to sneak under the standard 18-inch cabinets while the pitcher is intact.
Regardless, the fitted 1800-watt motor is more than enough for your basic blending works. It even has a central dial that allows you to work on your ingredients respective to their suitable speeds- through the low to high setting.
In addition to that, the blender has a 64-ounce pitcher, featuring rugged stainless steel blades that work on frozen fruits without a compromise. The container also has a narrow, tall profile that makes it possible to blend small and large batches.
Pros:
- It’s a well-made and high-performance design
- Can work on frozen fruits (with significant liquid)
- Comes with a tamper for pushing ingredients to the blades
- Has an easy-pour spout to prevent mess on your counter
- It’s budget-friendly.
Cons:
- It’s very tall (about 21.5” foot to the lid) to fit in the standard kitchen cabinet
Alternative 3: Black+Decker [BL6010] FusionBlade Digital Blender
As a culinary enthusiast, I have a Black+Decker hand mixer that I love every bit. As for the Blender BL6010, sadly, I wish I could say the same, but the designers replicated nearly the whole idea from the Ninja Kitchen. Regardless, I have opted to include it on my list just in case you may want to try the blending capabilities of the brand.
The blender has an 1100-watt motor that you can use to handle the majority of kitchen operations, including making smoothies and sauces. It has five incremental speeds and a pulse function in place. So, you can blend various dishes- simple and intricate, with maximum control.
Speaking of blending, by the way, this blender can process materials with a 64-ounce jar or 20-ounce personal blender cup. Hence, may come in handy when you need to make a to-go drink on a busy morning.
Pros:
Pros:
- It’s easy to use digital controls
- Can handle frozen foods with no stress
- Simple to clean (with hands or dishwasher)
- Supports automatic blending
- Very affordable
- It’s not as loud as most household blenders
Cons:
- N/A
Notes:
As mentioned earlier, the blender I have tested on acai bowls is the Vitamix 5200. It’s what I sacrificed and bought sometime back while the provider had on a limited offer. So, the other six are alternative options that I thought might interest you if you need one.
In any case, all the products I have reviewed comprise a perfect balance of the “3 Highs”- high-quality build, high-performance, and high customer rating.
You can click the embedded links to read what previous buyers have to say before you decide on the specific to pick.
Quick Guide: Essential Factors to Look For While Looking For the Best Blender for Acai Bowls
Again, making a thick, delicious acai smoothie requires the use of frozen fruits and a liquid of your choice- preferably milk. Therefore, the blender you choose has to have the right profile if you’re to work on all these ingredients efficiently without abusing the machine.
Some of the key features I’m speaking about here include:
Power
With the main ingredients of an Acai Bowl being frozen fruits and grains, power is a very crucial factor. The more powerful the motor, the easier it will be to process, and the better your results will be. But the recipe does require the use of milk or yogurt in the mix, thus, a heavy-duty 700-watt motor can also deliver results.
Variable Speed
When it comes to working on the ice, it’s not polite to start your motor on high as it can plunge suddenly. Then, the next thing you see is smoke coming from the base, or else break the blades.
Therefore, the variable speed adjustment is important for not only better performance and control, but also to enhance durability.
Blade
Just like with the motor, your blender need to have rugged and tough blades if you want to make a good acai bowl and for a long time. Luckily, Vitamix and Blendtec have no issue when it comes to this point. Ninja blenders are also excellent at this, but since they mostly rely on the blade sharpness to pummel materials, they get dull pretty quicker than the high-end counterparts.
Container
Unless you want the ordinary smoothie, an acai bowl should be super thick. This is the whole idea of using frozen fruits in the container instead of the green ones. Therefore, you’ll notice a narrower container is much easier to work with than a wider design.
Another thing, the blade is highly likely to struggle pulling the food materials on the side edge of the container due to the viscosity. So, a blender that allows the use of a tamper will be much easier to work with.
My Take on Making Acai Bowls
The current market has so many options that you can use to choose your best blender for acai bowls and similar recipes. Of course, you don’t have to pay a load of cash so that you can get it delicious and creamy. You just need to know the tiny bit of aspects that suit your situation- in this case working on frozen material.
Anyway, in the article, I have shared various blender selections that you can consider for your needs.
Please note, the acai bowl is for all people, including vegetarians and non-vegetarian. If it’s the former and you want an acai bowl vegan variation, you can substitute the cowl milk and yogurt with a plant-based one. Your diet will still be as sweet-tasting and rich in the various health benefits.
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