Brazil is a paradise of exotic fruits, many of which remain unknown outside the country. Beyond the famous açaí and guava, there’s a world of unique flavors, vibrant colors, and surprising health benefits waiting to be discovered.
In this guide, we’ll explore 20 rare Brazilian fruits—some growing deep in the Amazon, others hidden in backyard gardens—that deserve a spot on your culinary bucket list.
1. Cupuaçu (The Chocolate Fruit)
- Flavor Profile: A mix of chocolate, pineapple, and banana
- How to Eat: Used in juices, ice creams, and even cosmetics
- Health Benefits: Rich in antioxidants and healthy fats
- Where to Find: Amazon rainforest
2. Jabuticaba (The Tree Grape)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet-tart, similar to muscadine grapes
- How to Eat: Fresh, in jams, or fermented into wine
- Fun Fact: Fruits grow directly on the trunk!
- Where to Find: Minas Gerais, São Paulo
3. Bacuri (The Amazonian Gold)
- Flavor Profile: Creamy, tangy, and slightly floral
- How to Eat: Pulp used in desserts and liqueurs
- Health Benefits: High in vitamin C and fiber
- Where to Find: Pará, Maranhão
4. Grumixama (Brazilian Cherry)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet like a cherry with a hint of açaí
- How to Eat: Fresh, in juices, or jellies
- Cultural Fact: Indigenous tribes used it for medicinal teas
- Where to Find: Southern Brazil
5. Pequi (The Controversial Delicacy)
- Flavor Profile: Rich, cheesy, and slightly spicy (beware of hidden spines!)
- How to Eat: Cooked in rice, stews, or oils
- Warning: Never bite directly—spines can lodge in your throat!
- Where to Find: Goiás, Minas Gerais
6. Biribá (Sugar Apple’s Cousin)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, custard-like, with tropical notes
- How to Eat: Scoop out the creamy flesh
- Health Benefits: High in vitamin B6
- Where to Find: Amazon and Atlantic Forest
7. Camu-Camu (Vitamin C Bomb)
- Flavor Profile: Extremely tart—usually sweetened
- How to Eat: Powdered in smoothies or supplements
- Health Benefits: 30x more vitamin C than oranges!
- Where to Find: Amazon Riverbanks
8. Mangaba (The “Good to Eat” Fruit)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, honey-like with a floral aroma
- How to Eat: Best when fallen (ripe) or in juices
- Fun Fact: Name means “good to eat” in Tupi-Guarani
- Where to Find: Northeast Brazil
9. Acerola (The Tropical Cherry)
- Flavor Profile: Tart like cranberries, often sweetened
- How to Eat: Juices, jams, or fresh (if very ripe)
- Health Benefits: Super high in vitamin C
- Where to Find: Northeast and Southeast Brazil
10. Umbu (The Survival Fruit)
- Flavor Profile: Tangy, refreshing, like a citrusy plum
- How to Eat: Fresh or in preserves
- Cultural Fact: Vital for drought-resistant Caatinga communities
- Where to Find: Sertão region (Bahia, Pernambuco)
11. Pitomba (The “Eye-Pop” Fruit)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet-sour, similar to lychee
- How to Eat: Peel the thin skin to reveal juicy flesh
- Fun Fact: Name comes from the Tupi word for “pop”
- Where to Find: Amazon and Northeast
12. Bacupari (The Amazonian Mangosteen)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly acidic
- How to Eat: Fresh or in desserts
- Health Benefits: Rich in anti-inflammatory compounds
- Where to Find: Amazon rainforest
13. Cagaita (The Sour Cerrado Gem)
- Flavor Profile: Very tart when raw, sweet when cooked
- How to Eat: Best in jams or ice cream
- Warning: Overeating can cause drunkenness (ferments quickly!)
- Where to Find: Cerrado biome
14. Jenipapo (The Blue Dye Fruit)
- Flavor Profile: Earthy, slightly bitter
- How to Eat: Used in liqueurs or as a natural dye
- Cultural Fact: Indigenous tribes use it for body painting
- Where to Find: Amazon and Atlantic Forest
15. Murici (The “Cheese Fruit”)
- Flavor Profile: Cheesy, savory, and slightly sweet
- How to Eat: Fresh or in savory dishes
- Fun Fact: Loved by monkeys and birds
- Where to Find: Amazon and Northeast
16. Tucumã (The Amazonian Power Fruit)
- Flavor Profile: Nutty, buttery, and slightly acidic
- How to Eat: In sandwiches, ice cream, or as oil
- Health Benefits: High in beta-carotene and healthy fats
- Where to Find: Amazonas, Pará
17. Araçá (The Mini Guava)
- Flavor Profile: Tart, floral, and refreshing
- How to Eat: Juices, jams, or fresh with salt
- Health Benefits: High in vitamin A
- Where to Find: Throughout Brazil
18. Cambuci (The UFO-Shaped Fruit)
- Flavor Profile: Sour like lime, used in caipirinhas
- How to Eat: Cooked into sauces or candied
- Fun Fact: Named after a traditional clay pot
- Where to Find: Atlantic Forest (São Paulo)
19. Uvaia (The “Sour Grape” of Brazil)
- Flavor Profile: Intensely tart, aromatic
- How to Eat: Juices, jams, or fermented into wine
- Health Benefits: High in vitamin C
- Where to Find: Southern Brazil
20. Buriti (The Amazonian Superfruit)
- Flavor Profile: Sweet, caramel-like
- How to Eat: Fresh, in juices, or as oil
- Health Benefits: Extremely high in vitamin A
- Where to Find: Amazon and Pantanal
