Brazilian cuisine is as rich as the country's diverse cultural heritage. Drawing from indigenous African and Portuguese roots, Brazil's culinary traditions emphasize the flavorful ingredients of each region. Northeastern fish stews infused with spices and amber-hued dende oil (reflecting the African influences of the area) are contrasted with the barbequed meats of the more European-style southern states.
Whether lounging at the beach or dancing into the night, you can sample it all.From morning cafezinho to evening salgadinhos, Brazil's food and drinks are amazing.
Cafe da Manha: Breakfast
So, you start your day with a delectable breakfast: cafe da manha. Most pousadas (guesthouses) and hotels include this all-you-can-eat meal, brought to your table or displayed buffet-style. Along with strong Brazilian coffee, enjoy an enviable selection of breads, and pastries, butter and jam, deli meats and cheese slices, tropical fruits and juices.
Almocar e Jantar: Lunch and Dinner
Eating at home or dining out, Brazilians often take their meals together with family, friends or colleagues. When you're on a budget get the prato do dia (plate of the day) - usually a standard of meat, rice and black beans. Hot dogs and pizza are also popular. It's customary to substitute ketchup or drizzle olive oil for the sauce.
If you're looking for more hearty fare, try a churrascaria for a tradtional barbeque. Or you can pile up your plate at a comida a kilo where food is measured by its weight. Here you can choose from a buffet of varied salads, fish, quiche, pasta and meat dishes- including the national dish feijoada (bean and meat stew).
Make sure to try other traditional favorites like fried yams or manioc roots and don't forget to sample desserts from coconut cake to flan bathed in caramel.
Lanchar: Snack
Since it's typical for Brazilians to eat dinner very late in the evening, afternoon snacks are an integral aspect of any daily menu. Snacks are abundant on the beaches where strolling vendors call out in constant rhythm, selling salted corn on the cob and squeaky fried cheese on a stick. At lanchonetes or any street-side barraca you can catch a quick bite at a snack counter, making a small meal of salgados. These are little breaded, buttery pockets filled with cheese (with or without meat). A visit to an outdoor market will introduce you to unique tropical fruits like fruita do conde, filled with large black seeds. Every local mercado (market) displays shelves of cookies, biscuits, bagged chips and little cakes. For a delicious treat layer sweet guava jam over requeijao (cheese spread) on a small baguette.
Suco: Juice
Stay hydrated in the heat with bottled water (with or without "gas") or sip refreshing agua de coco from a green coconut. Lojas de suco (juice stands) are plentiful where you can order a cup of blended tropical fruit with or without acucar (sugar). Aside from the more familiar mango, pineapple and papaya, other favorites are acerola, jackfruit and maracaju. Acai is a mineral-rich, plum colored marvel eaten with a spoon like sorbet. Gostozo! (Delicious).
Bebidas: Drinks
Gathering with friends to drink beer, day or night around outdoor plastic tables at a beachside bar or downtown alley is a communal affair. Cerveja (beer) can be ordered chopp (draft) or in a garrafa (bottle). It is typical for someone to treat the whole table to a large, icy bottle poured into small glasses. Cocktails are more common at nightclubs. Beware of the potency of the caipirinha, the sweet and tangy national drink with cachaca (distilled sugar cane), crushed limes and sugar.
Photo Credits: All photos by Nicole Zimmerman
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