You
may be aware of the Amazon
Jungle
by the environmental news about deforestation. You might also know that
the Amazon rainforest contains the largest river in the world and the
second in length. But did you know that the Amazon Jungle provides
unique products that can link you its nature?
Although
the Amazon region includes territory belonging to nine nations, the
greatest part of this forest is in Brazil comprising about 60%.
The
area called Legal Amazon covers 59% of the Brazilian territory. But
for a long time, this area was quite isolated because of the
distances to the bigs cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Nowadays,
although the Amazon is still distant from large Brazilian cities, the
products of Amazonia are increasingly available in Brazil urban
centers and exported to countries all over the world. Here are some
of them.
Chocolate
Chocolate
from Amazon is good for consumers as well as for forest preservation
and economy. Cacao production is an income alternative for those who
want to keep the forest standing. The state of Pará is where the
greater production in Amazonia occurs.
Brazil Nuts
Brazil
nuts are an excellent choice for snacks between meals. Besides being
a delight, this seed also has serious health benefits. Among the main
ones is the presence of good fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. In
Brazil we call this “Castalha do Pará”, literally “nut from
Pará”.
Açaí
Berries
The
açaí (euterpe
oleracea)
is a palm tree that produces a fruit of purple color, much used in
the confection of food and drinks. To be consumed, the açaí should
be first pulped in a special machine which turns it into a thick
juice.
In
the Amazonia, the açaí is traditionally consumed fresh along with
cassava flour or tapioca usually with ice, but this way of preparing
is just possible in areas near the harvest zone because once
processed, the açaí is quickly spoiled. In other areas of Brazil,
the açaí must be industrialized by a preparation from the frozen
pulp beaten with guarana syrup, generating a paste similar to ice
cream. People eat this adding cereals and fruits like banana.
The
açai can be also used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries
to make vitamins and supplements.
Cosmetics
The
company “Natura” invested in research to create products using
Amazonia raw materials. They produce shampoo, conditioner,
fragrances, soaps, and moisturizing creams with fruits and plants
from Amazonia. You can find more information
at https://naturaeco.com/.
If you want to learn Portuguese I can teach you in individual lessons by Skype at Cafetalk .
If you want to learn Portuguese I can teach you in individual lessons by Skype at Cafetalk .
