Purple acai berries from South American palm trees may be the latest superfood in the U.S., touted for their fiber, antioxidants and other health benefits, but Brazilians have been eating them for centuries. That’s why we headed for the acai bowl at By Brazil, a small grocery, cafe and boutique in Silver Spring owned by Mara Roche and her two daughters, Fabiana and Roberta, all of whom originally hail from Minas Gerais in southeastern Brazil. Made by pureeing frozen acai pulp, strawberries, bananas and a touch of guarana syrup (a sweetener made from the guarana plant), the generous bowl is topped with granola and sliced fruit, and drizzled with honey. Thick and rich, it’s enough to feed two—especially if you sample some of the other Brazilian specialties, such as the savory pastries called pastels and risoles.
11333 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring; 301-962-8275; bybrazilmd.com
