Everyone has heard about acai bowls and they are so common now that you can see them on almost every menu. Another superfood that is getting more popular is the beautiful and vibrant red pitaya. However, did you know that you can find superfood bowls with other Amazonian superfoods that are less known but just rich in vitamins and nutrients? Superfoods have always been popular but now it is especially important to look after yourself and choose foods that help support the immune system and provide essential vitamins and nutrients. If those foods also taste great and look beautiful, all the more reason to tuck in!
Below is my list of some of the best superfood bowls in Dubai that are not only delicious and nutritious but also so pretty to look at!
Acai
Nutritional benefits
Let’s start with the most basic superfood bowl for breakfast – an acai bowl. Acai berries come from acai palm trees native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Acai berries are low in sugar and rich in healthy fats and antioxidants (three times higher than in blueberries!).
While a bowl of acai with some toppings like fruit, nuts, or berries is a healthy choice, one must keep in mind that some acai purees have a very high amount of added sugar. Since acai berries have a very short shelf life and can only be exported as purees, powders, or juices, you may not be able to ask to reduce the sugar by not adding it to your bowl if the puree already comes sweetened, but it is worth checking if they have an unsweetened version.
Where to find it in Dubai
You can find endless acai bowls offered pretty much everywhere in Dubai but one of my favourite places to enjoy some acai is the Vibe café (Jumeirah and the DIFC). There are several acai bowl versions on the menu but my favourite one is a build-it-yourself bowl where you can pick choose your toppings.
The décor at Vibe café is very funky and I love the presentation and little details like a spoon with a palm tree design.
For the maximum superfood goodness benefit, I paired my acai bowl with a pink pitaya latte. Both were absolutely delicious, although I couldn’t finish my bowl as the portion was a bit too large for me.
Pitaya
Nutritional benefits
Pitaya bowls are less common than acai, but the star ingredient pitaya is getting increasingly more popular. Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, is a superfruit native to tropical regions of South America and South East Asia. This whimsical-looking tropical fruit is rich in vitamin C, fibre, and antioxidants (with the red variety being higher in antioxidants compared to the white one). It is also known to increase iron levels giving you energy. Pitaya also has other impressive nutritional benefits such as promoting healthy hair, skin, nails, and healthy digestion as it is high in omega 3 and omega 6 essential fatty acids.
Where to find it in Dubai
The Hamptons Café in Dubai is famous for its elaborate and colourful pitaya bowl so it is no surprise that it is the most instagrammable dish on their menu. The base is the red pitaya puree topped with white pitaya, granola, mango, pomegranate, coconut, and edible flowers.
Another fantastic place to enjoy a pretty pitaya bowl is Leen’s Casual to Gourmet café located in Dubai (Jumeirah Beach Road, Emirates Towers and Bluewaters) and Abu Dhabi (World Trade Centre Mall).
The ingredients of Leen’s pitaya bowl are as follows: pitaya, chia pudding, blueberries, mango, toasted cashew, sesame seeds, banana, mint leaves.
Cupuacu
Nutritional benefits
Cupuacu is related to the cacao tree and its fruit, which is the national fruit of Brazil, resembles the cacao fruit. It is popular in Brazil and while it is becoming more commonplace outside Brazil, it is yet to gain widespread popularity like acai or pitaya as it is not widely exported and it is hard to find outside South America.
The cupuacu fruit is famous for being rich in antioxidants and fibre. Antioxidants may decrease stress level, lower the risk of inflammation and chronic conditions like diabetes and heart disease, while fibre is great for promoting a healthy digestive system.
Where to find it in Dubai
If you are keen to experience the benefits of this unique tropical fruit and discover why its flavour is described as chocolatey, then Leen’s cupuacu superfood bowl is a must-try!
This wonderful bowl of Amazonian superfood contains cupuacu topped with strawberries, banana, pistachios, toasted cashews, cacao nibs, and mint leaves. It also has maple syrup added for sweetness. If you are looking to make a healthier choice, you can ask to skip the syrup or add just a tiny bit.
As a side note, I love how all superfood bowls at Leen’s come in a coconut shell for a bowl and portions are slightly smaller in size.
Soursop
Nutritional benefits
Soursop, or graviola, is another tropical superfruit native to South America. Despite its name, soursop does not taste sour – it can be described as a combination of strawberry and apple with a hint of citrus. Soursop is low in calories but high in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fibre. The amount of antioxidants in this tropical fruit is very substantial and it may offer impressive health benefits like helping prevent cell damage and lowering the risk of chronic disease according to some studies.
Where to find it in Dubai
Soursop is another Amazonian bowl of goodness offered at Leen’s café. Leen’s soursop bowl contains soursop, passion fruit, pomegranate, carrot granola, banana, mint leaves, and maple syrup. This fruit is naturally sweet so you may prefer to forego the maple syrup.
Have you tried all of these delicious superfruits and which one is your favourite? Please share with us in the comments below!
