Friday, March 27, 2009

A Taste of Brazil: Fruits


With Brazil's river, the Amazon that flows across Northern Brazil, many tropical fruits such as papayas, mangoes, pineapples, acai, guarana, jenipapo, etc have flourished. Many of these fruits are sold by street vendors to be eaten fresh or made into tasty drinks and snacks. These outside markets are usually set up in a new location everyday. One popular fruit is Guarana, which is a small red fruit that is loaded with caffeine and tastes similar to creme soda. Guarana has spread to many countries, especially in U.S. health food stores. In Bahia, the fruit jenipapo is very popular and eaten when it turns into a dark yellowish color, meaning that it is ripe. Another fruit acai, which is a small dark purple berry that is usually eaten with granola, bananas, and honey. Acai has many vitamins and antioxidants that help our bodies and some even say will help with weight loss. Many Brazilian citrus fruits like mangoes, tangerines, limes, and oranges are made into smoothies and refreshing alcoholic drinks that are perfect during the summer. A famous alcoholic drink, Caipirinha is made from lime juice and a special rum called cachaca that is made from sugarcane juice. Here is a easy recipe for a sweet pineapple and orange drink that is enjoyed as an after-school drink:

Ingredients
  • 2 Tablespoons crushed ice
  • 2 Tablespoons sparkling water or seltzer water
  • ½ cup orange juice
  • ½ cup pineapple juice
Pour the crushed ice and water into a large drinking glass. Add the orange juice and the pineapple juice. Stir and enjoy on a hot day.

sources: http://www.foodbycountry.com/Algeria-to-France/Brazil.html,
http://redmist-redmist.blogspot.com/2007/06/great-brazilian-fruit-off.html


Next week will be on the beautiful country Nicaragua!

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