Rio surprises Indian hockey team by serving 'ethnic Kerala' dishes

Indian hockey team captain, P R Sreejesh, was surprised to find kappa (tapioca), kizhangu (potato), kanthari (bird's eye chilli) and beef fry at the Rio Olympics village.  "Is this Kerala or Brazil," he wondered and immediately posted the photo of dishes on his Facebook page.     

Food habits in Brazil are very similar to that of Kerala. You will chance to savour ethnic Kerala delicacies like tapioca biriyani, banana, pork and beef in the land of football. The tapioca connection between God's own country and the land of football is attributed to the Portuguese  - who introduced tapioca, cocoa and peanuts in Kerala. Brazil was a Portugal colony for a long time. 

 Steamed and dried tapioca is readily available in Brazil too. Rice is a staple food in Brazil as well, and is usually served with beans and potato. 

However, chillies are not a favourite in Brazil. But the bird's eye chilli served to their guests from Kerala was enough to leave one's taste buds tingling. 

Potato is a vital ingredient in most Brazilian dishes, and usually, they serve it steamed. Banana is also a staple part of their breakfast, just as in Kerala. 

One can also try some Malayalam words like kasera (chair), thoovala (kerchief), paathiri ( a Christian priest), janal (window) and savala (onion), the words contributed by the Portuguese.