Over the past 10 years veganism in Brazil has developed a lot. Back then it was difficult and especially outside the urban centers almost impossible to find vegan restaurants or stores offering vegan products (groceries, clothing and more). A few small stores often related to alternative cultural movements offered a tiny selection of vegan products, mostly in bigger cities. Some individuals started to sell via e-commerce to reach those living in parts of the country where no vegan products were available. However, you can of course have a vegan diet without having access to specific vegan products. And this is what mostly happened: more and more people became interested in vegan food based on the ingredients available in the country.
Like in several other countries, also many Brazilians turn to a vegan diet for different reasons. Some do it for conviction, some for lactose intolerance and others are looking for a healthy way to feed their families in a country where unhealthy alimentation has lead to one of the highest obesity rates in the world. As a consequence some companies have increased their supply of vegan products which however are often difficult to find in the majority of supermarkets. That means vegans in Brazil need to know very well where to look for their favorite food, buy it online or simply rely on generic groceries local markets are offering.
Especially smaller cities of less than a million inhabitants still lack a vegan infrastructure of specialized stores, restaurants and events. Bigger cities (like the capitals of many of the 26 states plus the Federal District) and especially metropolitan areas like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro offer quite a lot of options for vegans today ranging from specialized stores and restaurants to workshops, events and markets. Vegan alimentation of course remains a niche in Brazil. But a niche that is growing.
The traditional Brazilian kitchen is far from being vegan or vegetarian at all. Nevertheless, all traditional recipes can be prepared in a vegan way. The idea of this book is to compile vegan versions of some of the best and most popular Brazilian recipes.
Like in several other countries, also many Brazilians turn to a vegan diet for different reasons. Some do it for conviction, some for lactose intolerance and others are looking for a healthy way to feed their families in a country where unhealthy alimentation has lead to one of the highest obesity rates in the world. As a consequence some companies have increased their supply of vegan products which however are often difficult to find in the majority of supermarkets. That means vegans in Brazil need to know very well where to look for their favorite food, buy it online or simply rely on generic groceries local markets are offering.
Especially smaller cities of less than a million inhabitants still lack a vegan infrastructure of specialized stores, restaurants and events. Bigger cities (like the capitals of many of the 26 states plus the Federal District) and especially metropolitan areas like São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro offer quite a lot of options for vegans today ranging from specialized stores and restaurants to workshops, events and markets. Vegan alimentation of course remains a niche in Brazil. But a niche that is growing.
The traditional Brazilian kitchen is far from being vegan or vegetarian at all. Nevertheless, all traditional recipes can be prepared in a vegan way. The idea of this book is to compile vegan versions of some of the best and most popular Brazilian recipes.
