the beauty of brazil's tropical environment is quite unique as it is home to largest rainforest in the entire world - located near the equator, between the tropic of cancer and tropic of capricorn, lies the great amazon, where a massive range of biodiversity abound with natural riches, flourishing with flora and fauna, and thousands of other undiscovered species and organisms.

the foundation of the country's gastronomy is largely due to the incredible knowledge and use of the territory by the indigenous groups of the rainforest - their survival was based on their capacity to foster the land. the cassava crop, for instance, which was a staple source of food for the indigenous of the region, was also used by african slaves to cook for portuguese colonizers.

to this day, one of the most quintessential ingredients used in brazilian cooking, indubitably represents what it is to be tropical, even more so today, as the asian presence in rio has fused a special tropical influence as well.