My journey continued to Manaus, the largest amazonian state, where I met my guide, Raphael Lopes. At 23 years old, he is the youngest food hunter of the national food blogging movement. But his young age doesn’t stop him being extremely decisive about what he does and doesn’t like. He’s a serious foodie and a strict critic. Raphael introduces me to Pedro Bezerra, he runs one of the busiest food stalls in Manaus’ market and serves up to a whopping 500 Amazonian breakfasts every Sunday! It includes coffee (of course!), tapioca pancakes filled with different fruits, cassava cake and x-caboquinho – the ultimate Amazonian sandwich with fried plantain, cheese and tucuma fruit (a native palm fruit). Pedro says that he has to stay ahead of the game as there are 28 competitors all located in the small market. The high demand is only a two-hour gap and he has the average preparation time down to 5 minutes and all seven of his team have perfected their specific technique. He says they run as smoothly as a ‘formula one pit stop team’ 😉
I certainly think that the Amazonian breakfast gives the British fry up a run for its money and that a fruity breakfast can be as delicious. I love all the options on the table and different dishes you can eat at once and it’s given me a brilliant idea for my own Brazilian brunch.
My Brazilian Brunch