THE Easter in Brazil It is a date marked by deep meanings, religious celebrations and traditions that unite families and friends. Either by the spiritual aspect or the typical delights of the date, such as chocolate eggs Easter is a moment of renewal, solidarity and unity. But, after all, what is the meaning of this date?
The word “Easter” comes from Hebrew Pessachwhich means “passage”. In Judaism, this passage represents the liberation of the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt. For Christians, Easter symbolizes Resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after its crucifixion, being the most important moment of the Christian calendar.
That is, even with different origins, the central sense of Easter in both traditions is linked to Renewal, Liberation and Hope .
What is Holy Week?
THE Holy Week Preced the Easter Sunday And it is a period of great meaning for Christians. It begins on Ramos Sunday, which recalls the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem, and continues with remarkable moments such as the last supper (on Holy Thursday), the crucifixion (on the Friday of Passion) and the resurrection (on Easter Sunday).
During this week, many faithful participate in masses, processions and stagings of the Passion of Christ. It is a period of Reflection, Faith and Collection spiritual.
What are the most consumed foods in Easter?
THE Lent It is a period of 40 days before Easter, starting in the Ash Wednesday and ending in SUNDAY OF RAMOS (which starts Holy Week). It’s a time of reflection, penance, fasting and spiritual preparation For Christians, especially Catholics, and directly impacts the food sector.
Number 40 has a strong symbolism in the Bible – represents the time Jesus spent in the desert fasting and prayer, facing temptations before starting his public life.
What do you eat in Lent?
During Lent, many faithful adopt simpler and more restricted eating practices as a form of symbolic sacrifice. Let’s understand better:
Foods that should be avoided
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Red meat : especially Lent Fridays and in Good Friday Catholics are encouraged not to consume red meat or hot -blooded animals.
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Excess food : In addition to meat, it is also recommended to avoid exaggerations, luxurious or superfluous meals as part of fasting and moderation.
Allowed foods (and common during Lent)
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Fish : As they are not considered “flesh” according to religious tradition, fish are a common choice, especially cod.
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Fruits, vegetables and vegetables : Natural and simple foods are preferred during this period.
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Eggs and Dairy : In general, they are allowed-but some people choose to avoid them in more rigorous fasting practices.
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Grains and cereals : Rice, beans, lentils, chickpeas and the like are widely used to replace meat.
What do you eat in different regions of Brazil?
Experts heard by CNN Money They stated that chocolate eggs, cod, salmon, olive oil, olives, wines and potatoes are among the most consumed foods during Easter. But what are the typical dishes in different regions of Brazil?
South
Marked by the influence of Ukrainian descendants and immigrants, Paraná stands out for its traditional Paska a family -prepared handmade bread on Sundays.
In Rio Grande do Sul, it is served to Cuca a German candy traditionally made in three layers: the first, a pasta; the second, with seasonal fruits; and the third, with crispy crumbs.
Southeast
The date moves the Southeast economy with the famous chocolate eggs which were 9.5% more expensive in 2025, according to the Foundation Institute for Economic Research (Fipe).
In addition to the candy, each state of the region usually has a specific typical dish. In the case of São Paulo, the population consumes a lot of codfish. Already the moqueca capixaba is a tradition of suppers in the Holy Spirit.
In the state of Rio de Janeiro a White Corn Canjica It is one of the traditional desserts that usually appear at the tables during Holy Week and Easter Sunday, especially in families that keep regional and Afro-Brazilian traditions alive. An interesting curiosity is that this recipe carries strong influences of African culture and African matrix religions like the Candomblé and the Umbanda .
In the Afro-Brazilian tradition, the white canjica without seasonings (without sugar, cinnamon or coconut) It is often used as Oxalá offering considered the orisha of creation, peace and spirituality. In religious syncretism – quite present in Brazil -, Oxalá is associated with Jesus Christ especially in the figure of the suffering and compassionate Christ.
Midwest
In the Midwest cuisine, dishes like the Paraguayan soup a salty cake, the chip similar to cheese breads, and freshwater fish complement the Easter meal.
Another widely consumed recipe at this time is the traditional pacu roasted . During the special season CNN Viagem & Gastronomy: Flavors of Brazil the journalist Daniela Filomeno He tasted Chef Magda Moraes’s dish, from Aipim Restaurante.
At the time, Magda prepared a pacu roasted on the banana leaf, stuffed with banana crumbs from the earth. As accompanied, Guariroba and Pirão rice.
“Pantanal cuisine is a plurality. It is a way of experiencing the experience of the people of the Pantanal, being the portrait of the Pantanal man,” said the chef about the region’s cuisine.
North
In the northern region, Easter gets a Amazonian touch with typical dishes that replace cod with local ingredients.
THE tambaqui and the pirarucu They are the protagonists of Pascal Supper, accompanied by tucupi and jambu -based preparations. In addition, indigenous communities incorporate their own and ancestral rituals into the celebration.
North East
The Northeast is the scene of some of the most grand artisons of the Passion of Christ in Brazil. In gastronomy, the kibbeb a type of pumpkin puree is a dish consumed on Friday in many states.
But it doesn’t end there: the coconut rice cooked with milk, it is a must -have on the region’s suppers and, especially, in Bahia. THE coconut bean served with Grosso broth, is also featured in the Northeast Pascoal Gastronomy.
Even so, the fish continues in the spotlight of the region, highlighting the Moqueca made with palm oil Post of Tilapia, Chopped Purple Onion and Chilli, according to the Ministry of Tourism.
Definitely, the Easter is more than chocolate and holiday . It is a celebration with deep roots in the history of humanity, which talks about faith, liberation, rebirth and unity. In Brazil, it is lived in a unique way, mixing religiosity, tradition and that welcoming touch of our culture.
How to harmonize wines with typical Easter dishes?
Wine is also a much sought after product during Easter. As recipes are often made based on fish and seafood – besides sweets – it is necessary to be careful when harmonizing labels.
Columnist Stovao Limana indicates harmonizing cod, one of the most typical dishes at Easter tables, with a very acidic wine to counteract with fat. Good options are low sugar sparkling wines, called Noir Blanc .
*With information from Daniela Filomeno, Stêvão Limana, Gisele Farias, Marien Ramos, from CNN, and Barbara Carvalho, CNN collaborator
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Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
