Brazil, with its tropical climate and rich biodiversity, is home to a wide variety of unique and intriguing fruits that are little known outside the country. While some of these fruits have become more popular around the world, like guava and custard apples, others are rare to find even for those who live in Brazil.
Recently, my friends and I stopped at a local fruit market near Natal in the northeast of Brazil, drawn in by the vibrant array of exotic fruits on display. Intrigued by the variety, we decided to buy several unfamiliar fruits to taste and experience for ourselves.
Let’s take a tour of these unique fruits and discover their flavors, textures, and culinary uses.
Here are 10 unique Brazilian fruits you'll find at the market in the north of Brazil
1. Sapoti (Sapodilla)
Sapoti, or sapodilla, is a tropical fruit with a grainy texture similar to a pear or kiwi. Its flavor is sweet, often likened to a combination of maple syrup and brown sugar. The fruit has a thin, edible skin, and its floury flesh provides a unique mouthfeel. It is commonly eaten fresh and is popular in regions with tropical climates.
2. Siriguela (Spanish Plum)
Siriguela is a small, yellow fruit known for its sweet, juicy flesh. Despite its slightly floury texture, it is highly valued for its refreshing juice, commonly consumed during Brazil's warm months. The fruit has a pit in the middle, making it easy to eat in a manner similar to plums or peaches.
3. Fruto do Conde (Custard Apple or Pinha)
Known as pinha or fruto do conde, the custard apple is a soft, creamy fruit with a meaty texture. Its flesh comes off the seed easily and has a flavor that is sweet and mildly fragrant. The texture is similar to lychee but softer. The fruit is typically eaten fresh and is considered a dessert fruit in Brazil.
4. Cajá
Cajá is a round, bright yellow fruit with a flavor that is both sweet and sour. The flesh is juicy but contains a large central pit. Cajá is often used in juices and desserts due to its tangy, refreshing taste. Its high acidity makes it a popular choice for cooling beverages.
5. Caju (Cashew Apple)
The caju, or cashew apple, has a rubbery texture and a flavor that is a cross between passionfruit and pineapple. It has a bright, citrusy taste with a slightly dry finish. Although it is sometimes eaten fresh, caju is more commonly used to make juices due to its unusual texture.
Do not try to eat the nut or it's casing! It will not only taste bad but will numb your mouth. Cashew nuts must be cooked before being eaten.
6. Pitanga (Surinam Cherry)
Pitanga, also known as Surinam cherry, is a small, ribbed fruit that ranges in color from red to deep purple. The fruit is known for its tart and sour flavor, which makes it a popular ingredient in jams, juices, and liqueurs. Pitanga is rich in vitamin C and often consumed for its health benefits as well.
7. Acerola (Barbados Cherry)
Acerola is a small, red fruit known for its high vitamin C content and tart flavor. The fruit is typically blended with other fruits in juices to balance its sharp taste. Acerola is widely used in Brazil for its nutritional benefits, especially in juices and smoothies.
8. Guava (Goiaba)
Guava is a common tropical fruit in Brazil, with varieties ranging in color from green to pink. The flavor of guava can vary from mildly sweet to tart. It has a soft, sometimes grainy flesh with edible seeds. Guava is often eaten fresh, made into juice, or processed into guava paste (goiabada), a popular Brazilian sweet.
9. Cupuaçu
Cupuaçu is a fruit native to the Amazon rainforest and closely related to cacao. The fruit has a thick shell and creamy pulp with a flavor profile that combines chocolate, pineapple, and hints of melon. Cupuaçu is commonly used in desserts, smoothies, and juices due to its rich tropical flavor and high antioxidant content.
10. Açaí Berries
Açaí is a small, dark purple berry that grows on the açaí palm, primarily in the Amazon region. Known for its earthy taste with hints of cocoa and berry, açaí is most often consumed frozen and blended like gelato, or in juices and smoothies. It is celebrated for its high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and healthy fats, making it a popular superfood. The pulp is typically frozen and blended with other fruits.
However, outside the Amazon, açaí is most famously enjoyed in bowls or smoothies, often blended with banana or other fruits and topped with granola and honey. It's health benefits are impressive, packed with antioxidants, omega fatty acids, and fiber. This combination makes it a perfect energy-boosting snack or meal, especially in Brazil's hot tropical climate.
What about Longan Brazil?
And just for fun, let's clear up one common misconception: the fruit Longan Brazil has absolutely nothing to do with Brazil! Despite the name, Longan is actually native to Southeast Asia and is often compared to lychee in flavor and texture. So, while you might come across the name, don't expect to find this little fruit in a Brazilian fruit market.
So what do you think of these 10 fruits?
Brazil’s fruits offer a dazzling array of flavors, textures, and aromas, each with its own unique character. Whether you’re enjoying the syrupy sweetness of sapoti, the tart bite of acerola, or the creamy indulgence of pinha, these fruits offer a window into Brazil’s vibrant culture and natural beauty. The next time you visit Brazil, be sure to explore these exotic fruits and indulge in a tropical experience like no other.
Have you tried any of these fruits? What was your favorite? Let me know below in the comments!
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