Starting Friday, April 25, the SHS School Government implemented açaí bowls in the school cafeteria. Açaí bowls have been on the cafeteria menu before but were removed for various reasons, and have been part of a digital-health-kick trend, now a real hit with the student body. Sales have skyrocketed. It is the cafeteria’s and government’s hope that this new dish will be here to stay, and can become a healthy staple for students who want a fresh and sweet snack!

The açaí bowls come with a base made of berries from South American palm trees. Toppings include nut free granola, bananas, blueberries, mangos, strawberries, pineapples, sunbutter, carob chips, and honey. The plain bowl is $6.95, and with two toppings the price increases to $7.95. Each additional topping costs $0.50. The bowls are too plain for many students’ liking without the addition of toppings, so the starting cost is usually around eight dollars for many students.

The taste of the açaí base is the perfect mix between delicately sweet and tangy, and the natural sweetness does not overwhelm the palette. When eating it, I know that I am providing my body with nutrients, and it serves as a healthier alternative to getting a donut or ice cream–which I may have gotten in its stead. With the addition of fruits, the benefits skyrocket, providing vitamins along with its wonderful taste. The crunchy granola also goes very well with the chilled base, adding a snacky and crunchy feel to the meal. Still, the açaí bowls do lack protein, so the addition of a protein-based topping, or even the incorporation of organic protein powder, is something that the cafeteria may want to consider.

The price of the bowls is however a concern for some students. Personally, I do not get açaí bowls daily, but as more of a once in a while indulgence, so the price of these bowls is quite reasonable; nonetheless, a price upwards of seven dollars is a lot for some, especially for those that get them on a day-to-day basis. Still, by the amount of students I see lining up every day to get their hands on one, I do not think price has been an issue, and I can only imagine how much profit it has brought in for the district. Bango Bowls, which has been popular among SHS students for years, can be found in Scarsdale Village, has similar pricing, and the cafeteria version ultimately wins in terms of affordability. So, while the price may be high, all in all, it isn’t quite that bad.

The staff who craft the açaí bowls are all very kind and helpful, and give generous servings of toppings to students–as I have experienced myself. They also offer honey as a free add-on, which is a nice addition for students who prefer their açaí bowls on the sweeter side. They do not lowball their portions, and provide a generous scoop of açaí base to customers–making it all the more worth the cost. It is another healthy alternative to processed sugars, which students would have turned to otherwise. My personal order includes granola, strawberries, and mango, and I think they make the perfect combination! The sweetness of the strawberries and the mango compliment the berry-based açaí, and the textures of the mango and granola both contrast well with the half-frozen açaí. If you have a chance, check out the acaí bowls in the cafeteria!