Coconut

Coconuts are essential in the Brazilian kitchen.

We yield: água de coco (coconut water), leite de coco (coconut milk, often used in puddings, ice cream, stews, etc.), coco ralado (grated coconut, used in sweets and cakes), raspas de coco (coconut flakes, used to make coconut brittle) and even cleaning products like bar and liquid coconut soap detergent, and cosmetic products, like shampoo and body soap.

The shell of the coconut is used in artesanato (craftwork); the fiber obtained from the shell is also used by the automobile industry to make car seats.

Brazilians love to drink coconut water when they are at the beach or even when it's warm.