November, or National Gratitude Month, is the perfect time for us at SAMBAZON to extend our sincerest appreciation to our incredible employees. They are the cornerstone of our success and the driving force behind our mission to bring the nourishing goodness of Açaí to the world.  

Read on for a Q&A session with several individuals who make SAMBAZON a great place to work. Gain insight into their roles at SAMBAZON and the ways they've integrated Açaí into their daily lives through delicious recipes that you can recreate at home. 

Amanda Magno 

What do you do for SAMBAZON?  

Amanda - I’m a Quality Information Analyst at SAMBAZON in Brazil.  

How long have you worked at the company?  

Amanda - 4 years. 

What do you like about working for SAMBAZON?  

Amanda - What I like about working for SAMBAZON is that you are always learning something new, and I love that we are always helping people by promoting social projects.  

Did you grow up eating Açaí?  

Amanda - Yes! My grandfather gave me Açaí for the first time as a child. We love it! 

How did you have it at home?  

Amanda - We usually eat Açaí for lunch. We mix it with Farinha or tapioca and sugar sometimes. But there are many ways to consume Açaí like a dessert (smoothie, ice cream, sacolé, or brigadeiro) or porridge.  

Has that changed now that you are older?  

Amanda - Yes. When I was a child, I only ate Açaí for lunch but now I like it as a dessert too.  

Amanda’s Brigadeiro of Açaí  

Ingredients: 

• 395g condensed milk 
• 200g açaí puree (2 packs Original Blend Frozen Açaí Superfruit Packs)

OPTIONAL TOPPINGS 

• Granola 
• Coconut chips 
• Tapioca 

Prep time: 10 Minutes 

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients together, place in small pan. Cook over medium heat and stir until it no longer sticks to the bottom of the pan. Transfer to a plate and let it cool so you can roll it with you hand or just add to toppings. 

Herid Flores 

What do you do for SAMBAZON? 

Herid - I do product development for SAMBAZON. I formulate and test different products for both our CPG & Food Service channels. 

How long have you been working here? 

Herid - My year anniversary was on October 1st, 2023. 

What do you like about working for SAMBAZON? 

Herid - I really enjoy working with very talented and passionate people. We have so many talented people who bring a ton of knowledge wealth to so many things we do here at SAMBAZON. 

When was the first time you tried Açaí? 

Herid - The first time I tried Açaí was in 2011, more than 10 years ago. One of my community college peers from Brazil brought us Açaí samples and described it as frozen blueberries but way better for you. 

What’s your favorite recipe to make at home with Açaí? 

Herid - I am big fan of our Superfruit Açaí bites, but also love our Açaí Superfruit Packs. I make myself this large protein smoothie at home all the time. I love that it has plant-based protein in it, and I can add more fruit and protein. 

Herid’s Peanut Butter Protein Smoothie  

Ingredients: 

• 1 pack Original Blend Frozen Açaí Superfruit Packs (100 grams) 
• 1 medium banana (90 grams) 
• 1 Cup Almond Milk (226 grams) 
• ½ Cup Frozen Blueberries (75 grams) 
• 1 Scoop Plant Based Protein Powder (28 grams) 
• 2 TBSP. Peanut Butter, Creamy (32 grams) 
• ½ Cup Ice cubes 

Directions: 

Blend and Enjoy! 

Allison Huke 

What do you do for SAMBAZON?  

Allison - Sr. Director of HR and Payroll 

How long have you been working here?  

Allison - A year and a half. 

What do you like about working for SAMBAZON?  

Allison - I love the people and love working for a company that I feel good about – great products and sustainable business practices. 

When was the first time you tried Açaí?  

Allison - I think I first bought SAMBAZON Açaí 10-15 years ago and have been making bowls and smoothies for family and friends ever since. 

What’s your favorite recipe to make at home with Açaí?  

Allison - I like to make an Açaí bowl assembly line for family and friends. I make the acai base and put out the toppings for family and friends to assemble their own bowls. My husband and I host a hiking group of friends on weekends from time to time and I invite everyone over for Açaí bowls after. 

Since I usually make bowls for a crowd, I make two at a time in my Vitamix. Here is my recipe for two bowls: 

Allison’s Post Hike Açaí Bowl 

 Ingredients: 

• 1 pack Original Blend Frozen Açaí Superfruit Packs
  
• 1 pack of Unsweetened Frozen Açaí Superfruit Packs
  
• 1 banana (can be fresh or frozen) 
• 1 cup (approx.) frozen mixed berries – whatever I have in the freezer at the time 
• 1 cup (approx.) of greens – spinach or kale, whatever I have in fridge 

Directions: 

I try to blend it up without liquid (especially if I add a fresh banana) as it makes it thicker and creamier – using my tamper to keep pushing ingredients down in Vitamix until blended. 

For toppings, I put out bowls of the following: fresh fruit (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, etc.), coconut flakes, granola (whatever is in the pantry), hemp seeds, top with honey or agave. 

Caleb Remington

What do you do for SAMBAZON?

I’m the Senior Web Developer, also known as {% assign sebastiensNicknameForMe = “The Master of Commas” %} who translates Jungle Love into liquid code.

How long have you been working here?

Well, it's a serendipitous time to be in the spotlight because I'm celebrating my 3rd Sambaversary this month -- Three years of blending tech and superfruits into a career smoothie!

What do you like about working for SAMBAZON?

I love that SAMBAZON lets me flex both hemispheres of my brain with bringing our awesome brand to life via the web and that we’re constantly evolving and quickly learning from our efforts to figure out what works best. Also, Cristiano.

When was the first time you tried Açaí?

I’ll never forget the first bite: The waves were 4-6 ft fair to good, and there I am, tasting my first spoonful of Açaí from O.B. Smoothies in San Diego.

What’s your favorite recipe to make at home with Açaí?

My go-to home concoction is the Amazon Superberry RTE Bowl with raspberries, banana, and a generous helping of strawberries. Below are some snapshots of Fei and me enjoying into our morning bowl. After letting Fei give Da Da a silly mustache, I realized that next Movember we should pioneer the Purple 'Stache Movement for men's health!

Sharing Açaí with the World 

Our employees are not just part of the SAMBAZON family; they are the very heart of our mission to share Açaí with the world, starting with making it regularly in their own kitchens. As you reflect on the spirit of gratitude this month, we invite you to show your appreciation by trying our Açaí products, available at a grocery store near you. 

We'd love to hear from you. What recipes have inspired you to get crafty in the kitchen with SAMBAZON Açaí from our incredible team? Please leave your thoughts and comments below.