Adventures with a taste of Brazil: gastronomy and culture Edible history Each region of the country keeps its own history and unique and fascinating gastronomic traditions. Brazilian cuisine has a clear African, indigenous and European influence, enriching itself in many different ways, while expanding and merging with the regional customs of this vast territory. The ingredients, forms of preparation, recipes and food consumed are the sum of geographical, historical, biological and cultural factors; that is why getting to know and experiencing the gastronomy of a region is so important to really understand the place visited and its inhabitants. One of the emblematic dishes of Brazil is feijoada, a stew made with black beans, dried pork meat and served with rice and oranges and sprinkled with fried yucca flour, better known as farofa. This dish comes from African slaves, it is what they used to eat every day, with some variations depending on the context. Today, most Brazilians consume rice and feijao daily at lunchtime, accompanying all kinds of meats, tubers and vegetables. Other typical dishes of African influence are acarajé, caruru, vatapá and moqueca, which are consumed more frequently in northeastern Brazil and have been given prominence in the gastronomic tradition of the region. Cassava or yucca and corn are of great importance in the culinary of the country and are used in many ways to prepare all kinds of recipes: tacacá, tucupi, canjica and pamonha are indigenous legacies acquired by a large part of the population. With its ingredients and techniques, indigenous cuisine would form the basis of Brazilian cuisine and gave it its authenticity, with cassava as a national ingredient, as it is included in most dishes. Among them is the barreado, typical of the coast of Paraná, whose main ingredients are meat and bacon which are cooked in about 20 hours on low heat in a covered clay pot; to this is added a mixture of cassava flour, ashes and hot water. The way to cook all kinds of meat and fish, the famous tapioca and a variety of exotic fruits such as açai and cupuaçu are part of the heritage of the natives for immigrants who came to populate the territory. Portuguese, Italians, Germans, Spaniards, Syrian-Lebanese, Japanese, etc., also brought their customs, fusing and adapting their food with regional ingredients and sharing their favorite dishes such as pizza, risotto, polenta and the strong taste for the cheese, until passing it to the locals. Whatever its origin, gastronomy in Brazil is an impossible topic to ignore, since Brazilians themselves value it and keep it as a treasure. This is evident in any place of the country, when we visit towns and cities, restaurants or simply when we talk with locals, because it is very possible that the food topic ends up popping up with recommendations of dishes that you have to try; or maybe you receive an invitation to share the most representative drink in the country, a caipirinha! On the street it is also very easy to see samples of this cult of culture through food, as each corner brings an opportunity to discover its flavors and textures; acarajé, coxinhas, pasteis, churrasco, pamonha, tapioca and a thousand other things are offered in small street food stalls in cities and towns. The taste of traveling Brazil One of the most recognized Brazilian states for its gastronomic culture is Minas Gerais. That is why we created a tour full of knowledge and flavor amid wonderful landscapes and the best accommodations in each place. A Unique Blend of Brazilian History, Gastronomy and Modern Art in Minas Gerais is the perfect trip for those travelers who enjoy the interaction between history, art and gastronomy to awaken the intellect, the inspiration and the senses at the same time. Through the beautiful colonial villages spread among the green and lush mountains of the region, Minas Gerais reveals its secrets through cobbled streets, old houses, churches, museums, monuments and the most representative restaurants of Brazilian cuisine. What is your preference? MIlk sweet, guava sweet, fine cheeses, artisan popsicles, fruit jellies and the famous alembic cachaza are some of the delights that make part of this tour’s menu. View Experience In the State of Pará, nature is rich in herbs, fruits, flavors and aromas. It is the reason why its cuisine is considered one of the most typical and surprising in Brazil, placing it in the national and international market of gastronomic tourism. Culture, Cuisine & Wildlife, a Journey through Tropical Pará, offers a wild and wonderful context in which to taste the distinctive flavors of the exotic cuisine of Ilha de Marajó; it is an amazing delight while you meet with passionate locals who keep culinary traditions alive. Be sure to discover some secrets within their expert knowledge of local products and recipes! The views, the smells, the flavors and the sensations of this extraordinary place, will leave you with new and, more importantly, delicious memories. View Experience Now dessert. And for dessert: chocolate! There is a great beach in Brazil called the Cocoa Coast and it is not just a romantic name; the Cocoa Coast of Bahia is the key to discover the secrets of the world’s favorite sweet, with a fascinating cultural heritage and a sublime Atlantic coast. That’s why we designed an experience called Marching down the Chocolate Road, where we will visit local farms to witness and be part of the first-hand cocoa production process, from planting to eating. While there, you can enjoy a tutorial on the craftsmanship of handmade cocoa, visit an old fazenda that, today, is involved in both the cultivation and multiple environmental initiatives aimed at protecting the forest, and discover the beauty of nature in a place flooded with crystalline rivers, nature trails, great biodiversity and countless outdoor activities. The perfect way to balance any overindulgence with all this irresistible and inescapable chocolate! View Experience Learn new recipes in wonderful destinations Each place has its culinary secrets, aromas and flavors that surprise whoever comes to visit. And those who wish to learn a little more can do so with the help of local experts. How about a cooking class in beautiful Paraty, in Rio de Janeiro or in Salvador to take home new typical Brazilian recipes? It is a wonderful opportunity to pamper the palate while talking with a local about Brazilian and world recipes, culture, and increasing the repertoire of culinary tricks and secrets. There are also very interesting activities in Foz do Iguacu, such as the Casa do Chef, which offers a gastronomic journey through the history of Brazilian cuisine, its geography and its villages, from before the arrival of Europeans to the present day. A relaxed party full of flavors, aromas and stories that will take you to the depths of Brazilian culture, from the Amazon through the northeast coast to the Sertão. It begins with a traditional caipirinha and the sound of good Brazilian music, and then a sequence of 6 dishes explained one by one by the chef: “La Base Tupi-Guaraní” – with native ingredients cooked in Moquém; “The arrival of the Portuguese” and the Moqueca duo – Pirarucu cooked with urucum and babassu oil and Pirarucu cooked with palm oil. “The birth of Brazilian cuisine” – with duck, tucupi and jambu. “The search of national identity”, a complete Feijoada; The “apotheosis of Sertão” – the carne do sol and the baião de dos And the “extravagant sweetness” with traditional sweets. Or the Argentine Experience, where they will welcome you in an exclusive wine cellar to show you the best selection. Then you will learn to create your own ’empanada’ using the traditional ‘repulgue’ technique and fill it with a gourmet filling! You will enjoy a typical Argentine picada with grilled provolone cheese, sliced sausage and pork fillet, to finally be surprised with the delicious tenderloin, cured for 24 hours. And for dessert time: Chimarrón (mate) and Alfajores! Make your own alfajores, the national sweet of Argentina, and learn to prepare the ‘mate’ from scratch! Food to discover, learn, understand and enjoy Wherever we are, wherever we travel, we have to eat, and it is more interesting when what we eat lets us see its history, its why, its how. Each dinner, each dish is a small journey within the great journey; that is why gastronomic experiences are so rich and that is why we have created several options within Brazil. Adventures full of cultural wealth and sensory delight that receive your travelers to awaken all their senses. VIEW MORE GASTRONOMIC EXPERIENCES