Every Brazilian kitchen has a handful of staples that show up again and again. Master these ten and you can make an amazing amount of everyday Brazilian food — breakfast, sides, snacks and drinks included.
The 10 essentials
- Tapioca (hydrated): gluten-free cassava starch for quick tapioca crepes — a Brazilian breakfast icon.
- Flocão (flaked corn): the base for cuscuz, a fluffy steamed corn dish loved in the north-east.
- Farofa (seasoned cassava flour): the crunchy, toasty side that goes with churrasco and feijoada.
- Fubá (fine cornmeal): for cakes, polenta and broa.
- Canjica (hominy corn): for the creamy, sweet canjica dessert.
- Guaraná Antarctica: Brazil's national soft drink — sweet, fruity and nostalgic.
- Goiabada (guava paste): sweet guava paste, unbeatable with cheese ("Romeu e Julieta").
- Yerba mate: for chimarrão or ice-cold tereré.
- Trigo para quibe (bulgur): for Brazilian-Lebanese quibe and salads.
-
Brazilian sweets: a Sonho de Valsa or Bis for the sweet tooth.
Where to start
If you only grab three to begin, make it tapioca, flocão and farofa — they cover breakfast, a hot dish and a classic side. Add a Guaraná and a bar of Bis, and you have a proper little taste of Brazil at home.
Stock your pantry
Frequently asked questions
What are the most essential Brazilian pantry items?
Tapioca, flocão and farofa are the big three, followed by fubá, canjica, guaraná and a few sweets.
Is Brazilian food gluten-free friendly?
Many staples are naturally gluten-free, including tapioca, flocão, fubá and canjica.
Where do I buy these in Adelaide?
Braussie's Emporium Brazil stocks these staples with pickup and delivery across SA.
What should I try first?
Start with tapioca for breakfast, farofa as a side, and a Guaraná to drink.
Key takeaways
Ten staples — led by tapioca, flocão and farofa — unlock a huge range of everyday Brazilian cooking, and most are naturally gluten-free. Build your pantry from our Emporium Brazil range.