Beans and Rice

Beans are a staple food in Brazil and are served almost every day for lunch. Brazilians have many different types of beans, such as black, red, etc. Different spices and meats are used in the preparation of different types of beans such as red, black, or brown beans. The flavor and style of beans prepared usually varies from family to family. Most will just learn from their parents and continue to prepare it when they have their own family.

One especially important dish of beans is called feijoada (fey-zho-odd-ah). Feijoada is Brazil’s national dish that is said to have first started with the slaves. The slaves were given the leftover parts of pigs and cows such as ears, tongue, tails, etc. and they would use these parts to simmer with their beans in order to add more flavor. Feijoada then became more popular among the poorer classes in society and later became popular nation wide. It a dish that take a long time and a lot of preparation to make; therefore it is prepared sparingly.

Brazilians typically use longer grained rice that is less sticky. Some Brazilians will even feel embarrassed to serve others rice if they prepared it wrong and it is sticky. The rice is almost never served alone and is customarily served with beans. Rice is has a cultural significance also. Brazil was among the original countries to plant and grow rice and has been in Brazil for more than 400 years.