The Fruit Evangelist
Over the last few years I have become aware of a weird new use of an existing word: Evangelist. In Brazil of all countries it would be hard to avoid the traditional, religious sense of the word. But have you come across Technology evangelists? There are Microsoft Evangelists, Photoshop Evangelists, you name it. As far as I can tell, they are employees who spend time making training videos, running forums and generally singing the praises (hence the name presumably) of their chosen product/manufacturer.
Personally I wouldn’t much like to get stuck in a lift with any type of evangelist, though (as we’re about to see), perhaps I should remember what they say about throwing stones in glass houses, because not so long ago I found myself doing some evangelising of my own.
Luscious, juicy, Brazilian morangos (strawberries).
Recently, a Brazilian guy made the mistake of asking me what I thought of the food in Brazil. Ten minutes later I was still expounding on my belief that Brazilian bananas are the best in the world. Then I moved on to strawberries!
Carambola (star fruit) – apparently if you have kidney problems then these things can be lethal as they contain some neurotoxin that the kidneys filter out… Well my kidneys are fine and these things are delicious!
Later on that day I picked up a bag of Carambola (star fruit). Wow! Back in England I had always found star fruit to be utterly tasteless. Here in Brazil they have an amazing, sweet fragrance and a fresh, subtle flavour.
Strawberries and star fruit look good together don’t you think? Guess what happened to them next?
Have you had a chance to taste the fruit in Brazil? If so, I expect this evangelist is preaching to the converted… I was going to say that at least I haven’t made any fruit videos, but then I remembered this and this…
The strawberries and star fruit took a trip to the blender…
So I guess I’m going to have to accept it – I’m a Brazilian Fruit Evangelist! If you’re waiting by the lift and see me coming, you might want to take the stairs instead…
A delicious and healthy start to the day …unless you have kidney problems, in which case a delicious and poisonous start (and end) to the day.
Geeze, I should know better than to read one of your food posts right before heading to the gym to work out! Now all I want to do is go buy fruit, even if it’s not as gorgeous as what’s in your photos :)
Oh sorry Phil! Good luck at the gym – maybe you could have a fruit banquet when you get home? :)
Three words: Brazilian passion fruit!!!
I hear ya Brae! Maracuja is one of my favourites. Yesterday my Portuguese teacher told me that Maracuja and Melancia (watermelon) are both good for calming down over-excited kids! I don’t know about that, but they certainly keep me happy!
Bahahaha! Never heard that either, but whatever works I suppose :)
I enjoy evangelizing as well, specially during flights since there isn’t much else to do.
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/c31ac68de3/ted-bores-fellow-passengers-from-airplane-from-airplanefan
I suspect the chap you spoke to about fruit had the same fate as many of those I converse with up in the skies.
Ha ha, classic Airplane! In fact the guy drank himself into a stupor and ended up having to be taken home in a taxi… He was last heard murmuring something like “Malditos morangos!” ;)
Oh, if you are going to fruit evangelise you need to know this, which most Brazilians will believe to work (and they actually do work):
Passion fruit is used to calm the nerves. They even sell concentrated passion fruit power capsules in drug stores (mind you, completely natural) which we used to give to our poodle before we went to sleep so he wouldn’t bark at anyone using the elevator in the middle of the night. He would shut down in two minutes and only wake up the next morning!
Papaya is great to regulate your bowl movements.
Guaba is great to stop diarrhea. Too much can actually give you the opposite problem.
Guarana gives you energy (ever tried the powder stuff? pretty good too) I used to take it during carnival to be able to handle the whole week of salvador madness.
Ginger is great for your imune system and so is acerola :)
Don’t believe anything people tell you about watermelons. It is just sugary water in fruit format!
The list goes on and on!
Cheers
AC
Hey Amanda – nice tips, thanks! I’m particularly interested in ways to stop dogs barking – I wonder if they sell those calming passion fruit tablets in bulk. There are about 10 dogs in my neighbourhood that need sedating! :)
p.s. I believe everything they (and you) say about Acerola – that stuff just tastes so healthy and good for you!