Yummy Malaysiana: Brazilian foods get spotlight in China

Brazilian foods get spotlight in China

Expect to see more tropical fruit flavours from Brazil like papaya and mango, as the country seeks to expand its presence in the food industry. AFP pic

BEIJING, May 12 The tropical, wild flavours of South America are being given the spotlight at the largest international food and beverage exhibit in China this week, where Brazil has been named the guest country of honour a move that signals the growing interest in products native to this burgeoning country.

SIAL China, which is expected to draw more than 40,000 visitors and 1,740 exhibitors to Shanghai this week, has given the seat of honour to a fellow economic powerhouse and one of the fastest growing marketplaces in the world.

With the tagline One Country, Many Flavours, Brazil will be courting buyers from around the world to import foods and offerings like Brazilian meat products, coffee, chocolate, honey, tropical fruits, cachaa spirits and wines.

Brazilian cuisine is influenced by its Portuguese, African and Amazonian heritage. Foods that are either native to the country or considered traditional include root vegetables like cassava, yams, pine nuts and fruits like aai, mangoes, papaya, guava, oranges, passion fruit, pineapple and cupuaa, an oblong, brown and fuzzy fruit encased in a hard shell with a fragrance reminiscent of chocolate and pineapple.

Feijoada, meanwhile, is considered the countrys national dish, a rich stew made with black beans, salted pork or beef, bacon, sausage often served with rice, collard greens or deep-fried cassava.

Meanwhile, the top 10 international pavilions at the expo by number of exhibitors is led by France and the US:

1-France (74exp)

2-USA (70exp)

3-Spain (63exp)

4-Taiwan region (50exp)

5-Korea (40exp)

6-Brazil (37exp)

7-Poland (27exp)

8-Japan (24exp)

9-India (20exp)

10-Greece (19exp)

SIAL Ch! ina runs May 9 to 11 in Shanghai.