Good morning, friends! Brazil is famous for its beaches and idyllic landscapes. But have you ever stopped to think about what Brazilians might eat on the beach? After all, for many people, the beach is an outing that lasts practically the whole day, so they must think about what they will eat during this time! Can you imagine that we love to eat cheese at the beach? Yes, we have even a characteristic Brazilian beach cheese that has a stick like some beach ice cream. And we love to eat corn at the beach too! So today, let’s talk about Brazilian beach food. Here in Brazil, it is very common to see ambulantes (hawkers) and camelôs (street vendors) selling food on the beach. Can you guess which other types of food they sell?
Our school is very close to Copacabana Beach! When you come to study Portuguese with us, you will see that we have many quiosques (beach bars) and ambulantes on the streets and at the beach. They offer many options for food and beverages. So let’s take a look at the most well-known ones, so you can choose what you are ordering on your next beach day!
Coconut is a very popular fruit on Brazilian beaches. People love to buy a green coconut to drink coconut water using a (paper!) straw. It’s refreshing and super healthy.
A very popular thing to eat in coastal regions, in general, is fish and seafood. It’s no different with shrimp. People love to eat fried shrimp on skewers on the beach, accompanied by a cold beer! However, we don’t recommend you eat it on the beach, since seafood needs high levels of hygiene and refrigeration, and eating this type of food on the beach can cause some stomach problems.
What’s better under the Rio de Janeiro sun than a good ice cream? We have some variations of ice cream: it can be in small balls (sorvete), or a fruity ice-pop on a stick almost like a skewer (picolé). The flavors are the most diverse: did you know that we even have ice cream made from cooked corn?
The flour biscuit is very popular in Brazil, but this particular brand of flour biscuit is a favorite on the beach. With savory or sweet options, the Biscoito Globo has a recipe that is still kept secret today. It does not contain gluten or any type of coloring, preservative, or antioxidant. It’s a healthy Brazilian beach food if you are looking for one!
Mate tea, as the name suggests, comes from an herb used to produce the drink. It is well-loved in Brazil every day, but especially when on the beach! Beach-mate sellers usually carry two metal barrels with them, one with an iced mate and the other with lemonade. You can choose the amount of mate and the amount of lemon, to reduce the sweetness, in whatever proportions you want directly when it’s served.
Don’t confuse empada with its Argentinean version empanada! Brazilian empadas have a slightly softer crumbly dough and are filled with many different ingredients. The most common are chicken or cheese.
Arab snacks are also quite successful on the sand. Is there any relationship between desert sand and beach sand, which makes us want to eat a warm esfirra? Brazilians love to eat sfirra on the beach, and you might even see an esfirra vendor wearing a distinctive Arabic turban!
Corn is a very common food in the Americas due to our indigenous ancestry. And it would be no different on the beach! It is a simple yet delicious treat, consisting of whole ears of corn that are boiled until tender.
The preparation of milho cozido is straightforward. Fresh ears of corn are husked and then boiled in salted water until they reach the perfect level of tenderness. Some vendors may add a touch of sugar to the boiling water to enhance the corn’s natural sweetness. Once boiled, the corn is usually kept warm in a pot or container, ready to be served to eager beachgoers.
Milho cozido is typically served hot, straight from the boiling pot. Beach vendors will often offer various toppings to enhance the flavor. The most common toppings include a generous slathering of butter, a sprinkle of salt, and sometimes a dash of pepper. Some vendors might offer grated cheese or other seasonings for an extra flavor boost. The corn is handed over on the cob, making it easy to hold and eat while enjoying the beach scenery.
We love to eat corn cooked on the cob, usually with a little butter on top. Such a delightful Brazilian beach food! Milho cozido is popular for several reasons. First, it’s a healthy snack, rich in fiber and vitamins, making it a nutritious choice among the many beach snacks available. Second, it’s convenient to eat – you can easily hold the cob with one hand while strolling along the beach or relaxing under an umbrella. Lastly, the combination of the natural sweetness of the corn with the savory butter and salt creates a satisfying and comforting taste that many people love.
Just like regular BBQ skewers, we have a cheese option, the queijo coalho. At the beach, you can find a tasty queijo coalho, which is a yummy type of cheese. It’s usually served hot, straight from the portable grill that carries the vendor. You can even have them sprinkle on some oregano or drizzle some honey to add flavor! The name “coalho” refers to the rennet used in the cheese-making process.
This Brazilian beach cheese has a firm, slightly rubbery texture that holds up well when grilled or fried. The cheese has a mild, slightly salty flavor, which becomes richer and more pronounced when heated. When grilled, it develops a crispy, golden-brown crust while remaining soft and gooey inside. The combination of the crispy exterior and the melty interior is a delightful contrast. The skewers are easy to carry and eat while walking or lounging on the beach. Enjoying this Brazilian beach cheese is a beloved beach tradition in Brazil, adding to the overall beach experience.
Caipirinha is a popular Brazilian cocktail known for its refreshing and zesty flavors. It’s made by muddling fresh lime wedges and sugar together in a glass, then adding cachaça, a sugarcane spirit, and ice. The mixture is stirred to dissolve the sugar and create a harmonious blend of sweet and tart flavors. Caipirinha is a quintessential Brazilian drink, enjoyed both in its home country and around the world, and is a delightful choice for those seeking a taste of Brazil’s vibrant culture in a glass.
Now that you know a lot of Brazilian beach food, let’s give your pronunciation of this vocabulary a boost! Can you repeat each of the words?
That’s it guys! Let’s drink some água de coco and eat Brazilian beach cheese next time we go to the beach together. Thanks for reading our Dica and for learning a little more about Brazilian beach food!
Until our next Dica!
Kisses.
Click on the links below to see more related Dicas
Brazilian Street Food
Best Rio Beaches
Brazilian Corn Cake
Beach in Portuguese
Online Academic Coordinator at Rio & Learn Portuguese School.
Experienced educational coordinator and teacher since 2007, adept in curriculum development, creating physical and digital educational materials, and leveraging online platforms to enhance learning outcomes
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