The power of açaí
We speak to Americo Tognetti, the founder of Amazon Power, about his love affair with the açaí berry.
What was your initial vision for Amazon Power and when did it all begin?
It was back in 2001 while on a business trip when I realised the distinct lack of açaí and açaí products in the Australian market. I saw the passion that Australians had for healthy living and found the land down under to be a perfect fit for the açaí berry found in my home country of Brazil.
After three years of research and hard work, I finally introduced açaí to the Australian market in 2004. Since then, I have been spreading the word throughout Australia and teaching Australians how to eat and prepare açaí as the locals do in the streets of Brazil.
Amazon Power and our exclusive supplier together are the largest buyers of açaí worldwide and, as a result, we’re able to ensure the highest quality açaí.
What are some of the sustainable practices you follow?
Amazon Power strives to protect the environment, which is why we only use açaí that has been manually harvested, ensuring the protection of the palm trees that the fruit grows on.
The manual harvesting of the açaí also provides hundreds of jobs for the indigenous communities around Brazil and helps minimise the human trafficking and deforestation that these communities would otherwise partake in to make ends meet.
Amazon Power’s exclusive supplier has an Organic and Forelife Certificate, which is awarded for partaking in sustainable and fair trade practices.
What are some of the core values of Amazon Power?
Honesty. Responsibility. Providing the best service to clients and supplying the Australian market with top-quality products, including the best organic açaí.
What do you love most about your job?
Educating the Australian market about this exotic rainforest fruit, and driving all over Sydney and flying around Australia to visit Amazon Power stockists. I also love working with our distribution team and sharing my passion for original and organic açaí. Finally, I love teaching people how to prepare the original açaí bowl so it’s perfectly creamy, keeping the Brazilian tradition alive.
Where do you source your açaí products from?
From communities located around Belém do Pará in the Amazon rainforest east region, and from communities near Mocajuba in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.
What are some of the health benefits you’ve experienced from taking açaí regularly?
My stamina and energy levels naturally stay high for long hours. Also, skin looks younger because of the high antioxidant content in the açaí.
What is your favourite açaí berry recipe?
Amazon Power blended with strawberries and mango, topped with papaya and Amazon Power handmade granola. It makes me feel like I’m back in Brazil.
What’s next for Amazon Power?
I want to create new products with high nutritional value that complement the current product range, and continue to educate people in Australia about the Amazon rainforest fruit diversity and its richness.
For more information and delicious recipes visit protect the environment or search @amazonpower on social media.
