Pompous, Açaí Berry Boat Serving Tray With Up to 16 Ingredients Becomes Trendy in Brazilian Beaches

12/19/2016 - 14h30

It is one big party on the sand and perhaps that could be the definition of the newest recipe for the açaí berry served on the beach - on a huge boat serving tray and mixed with virtually everything.

"Virtually everything" contains: two bananas, a quarter of an apple, a quarter mango, half a kiwi, eight grapes, four strawberries, two spoonfuls of powder milk, two spoonfuls of granola, two spoonfuls of corn flakes, a generous quantity of condensed milk, honey and one paçoca, a Brazilian candy made of ground peanuts.

Depending on the place you buy it, it may also contain powder chocolate, hazelnut cream and red fruit syrup. And, of course, a layer of açaí berry under all of that.

It does not fit in a bowl. However, even if it did fit, the vendors would not choose to serve it that way, as the new recipe's biggest marketing appeal is the current kitschy trend: the wooden boat serving tray.

It is famous in Japanese restaurants and was taken up by snack bars that serve açaí berry as well as street vendors who sell it in carts. It looks pompous.

"People like to parade around with the boat serving tray," says Luciane Alves, 40, the owner of an açaí berry cart which she uses to work on São Paulo beaches.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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