How is pasta welcomed in Brazil? According to data from the International Pasta Organisation, Brazil is the 16th country in the world for the consumption of pasta and brazilians consume yearly 6.3 kg per person. Here, pasta is offered as a classical “first course”, especially at the restaurant, but it also works in a more casual and “working-class” way as an alternative to rice, as a side dish for local delicacies. Also, the fact that it doesn’t make people put on weight makes it ideal for those who love sports. This is especially true for football and surfing, which are the most popular sports carried out in Brazil, for which carbohydrates with a low glycemic index constitute the ideal energy reserve.
Gabriel Medina, surf champion, whose favourite dish is his mother’s baked pasta dishes, made with cheese and chicken ragu. It’s ideal for restoring strength after hours in the water, and, Medina declares, perfect for sharing with friends, “When I know pasta is for dinner, I always ask my mum to make an extra pan, because surfers are always hungry!”