BRAZIL: The plant paradise
This was my first trip since I stopped eating meat, and I was on a mission to discover the vegetarian food of Brazil. Everyone warned me that it would be a challenge to avoid meat since it is the focus of the Brazilian diet. This turned out to be totally wrong: Brazil is THE paradise of fruits and vegetables.
Despite being one of the most carnivorous countries in the world, Brazil is also one of the countries with the greatest natural diversity and abundance. After living in Europe for several years, visiting any country with such wealth of fruits and vegetables that are unique to its territory is a very exciting experience. The daily overdose of fruits and natural juices is enough to make you want to live there. For plant lovers, all the other marvels of the country are just a “plus” to this abundance of edible plants.
In this post I make a brief review of the memorable dishes and restaurants and vegetarian food of my trip to Brazil.
FLOREANOPOLIS
We spent a few days visiting a few beautiful beaches in the state of Florianópolis. We stayed in Praia do Rosa, a small surfer town that has become an international tourist destination.
You may also be interested in this: How to Make Mousse de Maracuyá
Açai
On one side of the beach there was a small hut that served açai. For those who do not know, açai is a small dark purple fruit of a palm tree that is native to specific region of the Amazon. It is liquefied to make a creamy icecream-like mixture which is then eaten with fruits and granola.
I had already tried several açai bowls on the trip, and I found most of them to be too sweet. The sweet comes from one of the ingredients that is added to the mixture; Guarana powder. This is a small red fruit also from the Amazon that is used as a natural sweetener. It has a very strong flavor that in my opinion, predominates over the taste of açai.
The popularity of the “açai bowl” has exploded internationally for its reputation as a “superfood.” This boom has led to the mega-industrialization of this fruit, but specifically of the already prepared icecream-like substance. Therefore, it is very difficult to find a place that serves freshly made açai and impossible to control the amount of guarana that is added to the mixture. This little place served fresh açai, organic and with very little guarana. It was delicious. Without a doubt the best acai I have ever eaten!
You can also make açai at home with açai powder
Caldo de Cana
Sugarcane water, known as “caldo de cana” is very popular to kill thirst in days of infernal heat.
This is the perfect energy drink because it is rich in essential vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium, magnesium, calcium and other electrolytes, excellent to combat dehydration. You can find the extraction carts are everywhere.
Moqueca
While not plant-based, this dish definitely made the list of most memorable meals. It was in Garopaba that I tasted my first Moqueca. It is a type of seafood stew cooked in coconut milk that is typical of the Bahia region. It’s so good! The restaurant was called Setentaesete and is said to be one of the best in the city.
Here are some super fun activities you can sign up for in Floreanopolis
RIO DE JANEIRO
I went to Rio for only 3 days and my culinary experiences were more limited due to the fact that I spent more time with family and less time seeking out eating activities.
Casas de Suco
Popular in all Brazilian cities, Rio is full of “casas de suco” that are like small cafeterias that specialize in natural juices. Almost all are decorated with fruits hanging from the ceilings and walls.
A very popular suco house is called BB Lanches. It started as a single juice stand and has become a chain with stores throughout the city.
Urca
One night we went to a very popular bar called “Bar Urca” in the Urca neighborhood, which has one of the many stunning views of the city. The bar is located on a corner by the water and it specializes on the simple combination of beer and fried finger food. People get their food and eat it sitting along the Lagoa. This bar does not make the list of healthy and sustainable places, since everything is served in plastic cups and plates, but it is without a doubt a very charming place. The palmito (heart of palm) “empadas” and the cod croquettes are greasy but so delicious! Palmito is my favorite ingredient for any vegetarian meal in Brazilian cuisine.
Highly rated food tours in Rio de Janeiro
SÃO PAULO
I spent most of my time in São Paulo and it was a wonderful surprise to discover that vegan and vegetarian restaurants have become very popular. These restaurants, some of which the food is paid by kilo, offer Brazilian recipes modified to a vegetable version. Upon entering, you see an explosion of colors and flavors that feed the eyes more than the stomach. The freshness of the ingredients and the creativity of the recipes satisfy every person who appreciates good food – despite their dietary choices.
Nutrisom Restaurante Vegetariano
Located in the center of SP, this restaurant is one of the pioneers of the vegetarian food in the city. It opened more than 20 years ago. There is a standard rate of 30 Reals ($8 USD) and the consumption is “a vontade” (all you can eat). All the food is organic and sourced from the closest available farmers. Traditional Brazilian dishes such as feijoada, kibe, coshinas, are served in vegetable version, as well as different types of lasagnas and vegetable stews with Brazilian vegetables such Jilo. This place was among my favorites.
Lagoa Tropical
Lagoa Tropical is in the neighborhood; Vila Clementina. Like Nutrisim, the food is made up of modified traditional Brazilian dishes. My favorite dish in this restaurant was the vegan Moqueca, which was made of “banana da terra,” a type of banana with a lot of flavor.
The dessert bar had a variety of fruits and cakes. A very popular Brazilian dessert is the “batida de abacate,” which is a sweet guacamole. To make it, avocado is liquefied with sugar and lemon. It was interesting, but for a Mexican who is used to eating avocado with chili and lime – it was not my favorite dessert.
Mercado Municipal
Central markets are amongst my favorite destinations when I travel. Located almost always in the center of the city, you can appreciate the daily chaos and the real culinary of the general population. The São Paulo market does not disappoint.
FRUIT, FRUIT, FRUIT. The central market has a huge diversity of fruits and vegetables, many of which I could not name. I took the opportunity to drink fresh passion fruit juice and accompany it with a typical “pastel de palmito.” Pastels are the Brazilian empanadas, but made with a thinner and crunchier dough. The pastel is one of the most delicious and addictive Brazilian fried foods and you can order it with dozens of different fillings.
Highly rated city tours to take in São Paulo
My gastronomic experience in Brazil was super satisfying. Although meat consumption is undoubtedly the norm, the abundance of fruits and vegetables offer a world of plant-based dishes. Unlike many countries with cold and arid climates with limited agriculture, a vegetarian diet is accessible to all Brazilians. In this country, the only obstacle that a person can face in their attempt to reduce their consumption of meat is culture, but that is slowly changing as well.
Golden Hour Travel
Do you need help crafting the perfect itinerary for your upcoming trip? Pass on the burden of travel research to me. I can help you identify activities that fit your interests, budget and travel style. My goal is to design an itinerary that is completely personalized, steering you away from tourist traps and guiding you to off-the-beaten-path destinations that extend beyond the recommendations of popular travel guides. Get in touch, and together, and we can start planning your trip today!
Arlindo Grund
O love your Blog!
CookieG
Thank you!! 🙂