now, over 150 ice cream parlours, stands and shops can be found lining the commercial districts and neighborhoods of the city - these establishments sell many of the traditional flavors, as well as inventive concoctions and combinations such as ginger, white chocolate, cashew and tapioca.

cariocas are becoming ever more health conscious, and have adapted the ice-cream to suit this predilection - one of these alternatives the fruity and enchanting açaí, the popular and healthier carioca cousin of ice cream.

açaí in rio is essentially a sorbet containing the heralded açaí super-berry, mixed with guarana syrup, making the superfood incredibly sweet - it is also often supplemented with a generous sprinkling of crunchy granola, raisins or bananas.

in rio's baking sun, cariocas will attest that there's nothing more refreshing and delicious than indulging in one of the sweet frozen treats that abound across the city.