Fruits of Bahia
The fruit options for ice cream, popsicles and juice give you an idea how many different fruits are native to or found in Bahia State. Most of these can’t be found in other parts of Brazil, much less in other countries.
I was continually impressed with the long lists of fruit flavors at ice cream shops, called sorveterias. Many shops also had long lists of popsicles, called picoles, with even more flavors. I always tried to order a fruit I’d never tried or never heard of. They were all amazing.
Mangaba and Graviola
Mangaba (top) is one of the fruits that you can’t even find in other parts of Brazil. It’s a rich, sweet fruit that almost tastes nutty. Graviola (bottom) is called chirimoya in Peru and soursop in English. It is very sweet and I’d compare the flavor to pear drizzled with honey. I ordered it without looking up the translation or realizing that it’s a fruit I’ve had before.
This is Sorveteria A Cubana, the best ice cream shop chain.
Umbú and Biribiri
This was hands down the best ice cream I’ve ever had. The top is umbú and the ice cream was so thick it seemed more like frozen fruit or even jam than ice cream. The bottom is biribiri, a sour fruit that balanced the sweet umbú perfectly. Both of these fruits are found only in Bahia.
Ameixa and Jaca
Ice cream in Brazil wasn’t usually colorful, but what it lacks in looks more than makes up for in flavor. Ameixa is plum and jaca is jack fruit.
This is the historic Sorveteria da Ribeira - an absolute must if you’re in Salvador!
Popsicle flavors and bacuri
If I was impressed by the variety of fruit flavors for ice cream, I was stunned by the variety for popsicles. I could have a different popsicle every day for months and still not have tried all of the delicious fruits that are native to Brazil’s northeast.
Frutos Goiás shops have the best popsicles in Brazil!
How to make Brazilian smoothies
All stores sell big bags of these small bags of frozen fruit pulp. Each bag is enough for one glass of juice when blended with water. Lots of people use these to make juice at home, though the best restaurants use only fresh fruit in their juices.
