COCONUTS

You know you’re in Brazil when it’s not weird to walk down the street sipping on a coconut.  Brazilian beaches are swarmed with “mini fridge” carts packed with fresh coconuts ready to be consumed. They sell like hot cakes at a bakery, like candy floss at a fair or beer at Big Day Out!

From the numerous coconuts we have sipped we have to come to expert conclusion that they all taste pretty much the same! AND when you’re done sipping on them, find a guy with a machete and he’ll happily cut it open so you can eat the young coconut flesh inside. All this only sets you back R$2.00

           

  AÇAÍ

You will notice when in Brazil, that locals have very healthy food habits. If they snack on anything its usually fruit related.  Acai  is one of the most popular snacks you will find, second to coconut water.  But its not just a snack, its part of a lifestyle, like an afternoon espresso in  Italy  (what would life be without it). I cant get enough of this mixed berry/chocolate flavoured fruit. Not only is it absolutely delicious, its also packed with antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids, all of which are a vital part of a healthy diet!  It is usually served in a bowl  - AÇAÍ NA TIGELA  ("acai in the bowl") completo con banana e granola and if you lucky some condensed milk drizzled over the top. A MUST have!  

 TAPIOCA 

When i first saw the sign for Tapioca i was hesitant ...( cause i didn’t think it sounded tasty), but then Rachel ( a fellow traveller who spoke Portuguese)took us to get some from a street vendor on the beach at Fortaleza...then BAM....I LOVE TAPIOCA!!  What they do is crush the Tapioca grain into powder form and put it on a hotplate (pancake style), the grain binds together and then just pick your topping! Carne do Sol ( beef jerky-ish), Frango ( chicken), Shrimp, Coconut, Banana, Chocolate..or my favourite condensed milk...YUM!!! Cheap and cheerful at R$3.00