Eating and Drinking in Brazil - Cuisine Info
Undoubtedly every person who is going to travel Brazil should taste Brazilian cuisine as far as it's no less important than visiting best sightseeings and attractions in Brazil. Brazilian cuisine reflects the history of Brazil and is a combination of European, African and Amerindian culture, that's why if you want not only taste Brazilian cuisine but also understand it, you should know at least brief history of the country.
In 16th century Brazil was colonized by Portuguese and Brazilian cuisine adapted lots of cooking traditions and ingredients which were not used in country's cuisine before. Later Portuguese brought African slaves in Brazil and Brazilians adopted a great variety of African cookery traditions. And finally when abolition took place, immigrants from all over the world settled in Brazil.
In case you travel Brazil, you'll notice that main components of Brazilian cuisine are root vegetables, meat and of course seafood and basic ingredients are coconut, black beans, cassava, rice and dende. However every country's region has its typical dishes which are cooked everyday and dishes which are cooked on special dates and occasions. It's necessary to say that every region's cuisine reflects historical events in this region, its geographical location and climate. As far as North part of Brazil is the territory of Amazon rainforest, lots of unique ingredients are found and used in northern cookery and undoubtedly there is an abundant variety of fish. If you travel Brazil and visit its North-east part, you'll notice that Portuguese and African cuisines prevail here. South cuisine was greatly influenced by immigrants from Europe and meat products prevail here. And finally South-east, this part of the country is densely populated and if someone tells about Brazilian cuisine in particular cuisine of this area is meant.
Feijoada is the main and the most popular dish in Brazil, we suggest that you try it, if you happen to travel Brazil. The basic ingredients of feijoada are different sorts of meat, haricot beans, spicery and cassava flour. This dish is usually served together with cabbage, sliced oranges, sauce made of pepper and rice. Brazilians eat feijoada maximum twice a week as far as the dish very substantial, that's why we suggest that you don't eat lots of feijoada as the majority of tourist and visitors do when they come to Brazil. Brazilians are also notable for their love that food which can be eaten by hand.
Brazil is a hot and exotic country and you shouldn't omit tasting Brazilian drinks. Caipirinha is the most popular and well-known Brazilian alcoholic beverage which is made of cachaca, limes, ice and sugar. Vitamina is also very popular tasty drink which is made of a mixture of different fruits, this combination of fruits depends upon a cook and season. Orange juice or milk is usually added to this drink in order to make it liquid.
In case you travel Brazil, you should pay attention to the water you drink. Do drink mineral water, although tap water in Brazil is rather good and refined with chorine.
For more information about Brazil browse our site and read articles about architecture of Brazil, art in Brazil, festivals in Brazil and adventures in Brazil.
Eating on your family vacation can and will become a lot more exciting when you go on a self catering holiday. |
