Pairing Pão de Queijo correctly — a note on Brahma lager

Most people overlook how much the right drink changes Pão de Queijo. I ordered it with Brahma lager and the robust and filling elements of the dish sharpened considerably against the pairing. dried shrimp in particular became more prominent in a good way.

Brazilian cuisine reflects indigenous, Portuguese, and African culinary heritages in equal measure. The a São Paulo padaria is where you learn these pairings — they evolved together. If you've been having Pão de Queijo with the wrong drink, try it correctly once. It's a genuinely different experience. The restaurant deserves credit for getting this right.