The Brazilian staple diet, even today, relies on what is plentiful and naturally available in the country. Root vegetables are essential day-to-day items.
Cassava root (known as manioc in Brazil) is a yam-like starchy tuber which forms the basis of many of the most well-known Brazilian dishes, both savoury and sweet. Beef and pork both feature greatly while along the coast fish and seafood is used extensively, fresh from the sea.
Pulses and legumes, particularly black beans, are favoured as a staple and palm oil, known as dende, is used for cooking throughout the country. Coconut milk, cassava root and rice are other major players in Brazilian cuisine.
Feijoada
The traditional Brazilian dish Feijoada still forms part of the locals diet today and in restaurants throughout Rio you will find it prepared with a contemporary twist. This dish was first concocted by plantation workers and is a stew which includes a variety of dried meat, bacon, salt pork and ribs, different sausages and, most importantly, the ear, tail and trotter of a pig.
Feijoada is served with white rice, farofa (fried manioc flour), kale, sliced oranges and a hot pepper sauce.
Farofa accompanies many Brazilian dishes. At its most basic it is ground cassava root (manioc flour) fried in butter with seasonings. It can become more elaborate with scrambled or hard boiled eggs and chopped vegetables.
Caipirinha
Brazil's signature cocktail is a simple blend of cachaça - a sugarcane liqueur native to Brazil - sugar and lime. The lime and sugar are mixed before the cachaça is poured over the top and the drink is served short, with crushed ice.
Suco
Rio boasts an abundance of exotic fruit so freshly-pressed fruit juices are available throughout Rio, particularly at the fresh juice stalls which are prolific on street corners around Rio. Coconut milk is also widely available, served straight from the coconut.
If you have a particularly sweet tooth you can request a fruit juice with caldo de cana, which is the juice of fresh sugar cane. Fresh juice stalls also offer vitaminas, which are smoothies.
