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Food and Cooking: how it works in Brazil — first-hand

Short answer
Brazilian cuisine features iconic dishes like feijoada, moqueca, and pão de queijo, alongside diverse regional ice cream flavors using local fruits. While staple ingredients like rice and beans are affordable, specific items like roasted buckwheat, dill, and high-quality coffee beans can be difficult to find or expensive.

From real experience

In Brazil, popular national dishes include: - Moqueca: A hearty stew made with fish or seafood, palm oil, and coconut milk. - Feijoada: A rich stew of black beans with various meats, considered a national dish. - Coxinhas: Fried dough dumplings shaped like chicken legs, filled with shredded chicken. - Pão de queijo: Small, baked cheese rolls made with cassava flour, popular nationwide. Brigadeiro is a famous Brazilian chocolate truffle, often served at parties. Jabuticaba is a peculiar fruit, often sold by street vendors, with a distinct taste that may not appeal to everyone.
Its seasonality should also be considered.
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Dining options in Brazil vary greatly in price.
In Guarulhos, a massive traditional local plate (Prato Feito with rice, beans, salad, and a main dish) costs around 25 BRL. Social state-subsidized restaurants named 'Bom Prato' serve meals for approximately 1.5 BRL, though expect long queues. Standard grocery prices: 1.5 kg of beef is around 60 BRL, rice and beans cost about 5 BRL per pack, and pre-cut mixed fruits (pineapple, watermelon, passionfruit) are about 22 BRL.
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The quality and availability of bread in Brazil are subjects of discussion among expatriates.
While some find the bread to be of lower quality and short shelf-life, others highlight the availability of artisanal options, particularly sourdough bread, in certain areas like Florianopolis. Access to various flours, including rye and whole wheat, through local stores and online marketplaces (like Mercado Livre) allows for home baking of high-quality bread. Rye flour is available in some regions for approximately 20 BRL per kg.
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Brazil has a diverse ice cream culture, offering unique flavors beyond traditional European or North American styles.
While it may differ in preparation (often milk-based with vegetable fat rather than cream), local fruits like cupuaçu, açaí, and carambola provide distinctive tastes. Exploring local 'gelaterias' is recommended to discover authentic Brazilian ice cream.
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Coffee culture in Brazil varies significantly; supermarket brands like Pilao can be heavily roasted (level 8).
High-quality beans are often difficult to find in local retail, leading residents to import beans via transit hubs like Addis Ababa. It is common to serve espresso with a small glass of carbonated mineral water to cleanse the palate.
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Dill and traditional cucumber varieties like 'bull's heart' or 'syl' are not commonly found or are considered rare in Brazil.
While some supermarkets and markets may occasionally stock dill, fresh cucumbers tend to be of different, larger varieties. Bringing seeds or pre-prepared ingredients from abroad might be necessary for those craving specific dishes.
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In Brazil, 'Hercules' (oatmeal) is available.
Green buckwheat is common. Regular (roasted) buckwheat is rare and can cost around 50 BRL/kg. Pearl barley is not commonly found.
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