“When the gringos arrive here, they go crazy when they see all the fruits displayed in the store,” says Rodrigo Vidigal Peixoto, whose family runs Polis Sucos in Ipanema and several other locations in Rio.
According to Peixoto, his father opened Rio’s first juice bar in 1958.
“When they see the fruit they can smell and touch, it’s incredible for them.”
The artichoke-looking thing is a fruta do conde, or sugar apple — it’s a delicious pear-like fruit rich in antioxidants that makes one of Polis Sucos’ most popular drinks.
The little red fruits are acerola, which have one of the highest concentrations of Vitamin C on the planet.
The orange bell pepper-like things with the curled handle on top are caju, the cashew apple, which comes from northeast Brazil and makes for a smooth, sweet blend.
The handle is the cashew nut.
The yellow mango-type fruits are caja, packed with vitamins A, B and C, iron and calcium.
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Today, the family operates four stores, including two in Barra da Tijuca and one inside the headquarters of Globo TV, at Projac da Globo.
“We pioneered the concept, then other people opened many other stores,” says Peixoto. “People began to want a more natural, healthy life.
“It’s also very hot here, so people wanted something healthy that could quench their thirst.”
He recommends travelers try his mango and maracuja combo.
“The sweet fruit with the sour fruit is a wonderful combination. It’s very good.”
At a price of 7 reais ($3 for 300 ml) and 10 reais ($4.50 for 500 ml), it’s a tasty deal, and one that could get to be a habit during your stay in Rio.
Polis Sucos, Rua Maria Quiteria 70, Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro; +55 21 2247 2518
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