Portuguese Markets in the Boston/Cambridge Area Stocking Brisa?

Submitted by zepporamone t3_z8pzbn in boston

Pretty much the title. Recently returned from a trip to Madeira (all sorts of beautiful, get there if you can) and have come to the realization that life will never again feel complete if I'm unable to find any Brisa closer to home. Wondering if anyone might know of any Portuguese markets in the Boston/Cambridge area that are stocking it. I found it somewhat tricky to find even back on the mainland in Lisbon, so I'm not holding out too much hope but figured it was worth a shot. Anyone with any insights?

Unfamiliar with Brisa? I was like you, once...then I found the light. Brisa is a delightful Madeiran soft-drink consisting primarily of carbonated water, magic, and passion fruit pulp. While there are plenty of other things to recommend about Madeira/Portugal in general (incredible food, weather, nature, etc.), Brisa might be the finest thing they've produced since Ronaldo...

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b0xturtl3 t1_iycu53i wrote

Best bet is Portugalia in Fall River as the country's largest supplier of food/supplies from Portugal.

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kingofmassachusetts t1_iyd3ffy wrote

Similar product is Sumol Maracuja which can be purchased in the international aisle at the Union Square Market Basket in Somerville. New Deal Fish Market on Cambridge St also has some Portuguese soft drinks for sale but I believe its Sumol or Kima which is the Azorean version of the Brisa. Also check with Courthouse Fish Market on Cambridge St.

Edit: Most of the Portuguese shops in the Cambridge area are run by Azoreans so might be difficult to find Madeiran products.

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peartrees1 t1_iyd6nfr wrote

i was also going to suggest sumol ! my family is portuguese (azorean) and my grandmother would buy them. they have other flavors as well. i'm pretty sure she purchased them from market basket.

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zepporamone OP t1_iyd97c2 wrote

I'm pretty sure Sumol is the one that I kept bumping into in Lisbon while briefly hunting for a case of Brisa to bring home. I think I grew to resent it simply for the fact that it wasn't Brisa. That said, I will definitely give it a shot if the Brisa search ends up fruitless.

I'm not typically a soft-drink person but the Portuguese have that stuff figured out.

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kingofmassachusetts t1_iydf51m wrote

Sumol is the major Portuguese brand from the continent so you will most likely encounter it around here. Definitely harder to find Brisa/Kima. Definetly check with Portugalia in Fall River like u/b0xturtl3 said. They might be able to point you in the right direction for a Madeiran market as well.

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xalupa t1_iydqrdi wrote

Yeah, don't knock the pineapple and orange Sumol flavors (which are more common/easily found than the maracuja)

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zepporamone OP t1_iyd4lrl wrote

This is an amazing level of detail. Thank you very, very much.

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EYErishprEYEd t1_iycvehq wrote

Looks like Fernandes fish market on Cambridge St in East Cambridge sells Laranjada (same company I think?), so it may be worth a call to see if they stock Brisa as well.

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kingofmassachusetts t1_iyd3zlm wrote

Laranjada is made by Melo Abreu which is a Azorean company, they make a similar product called Kima.

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EYErishprEYEd t1_iyd4m2f wrote

Im far from an expert, but it looks like they both fall under the ECM umbrella?

https://www.brisanet.com.pt/

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kingofmassachusetts t1_iyd5rdx wrote

It looks like there are two different kinds, one by Melo Abreu and ECM. I guess Laranjada translates to 'Orangeade' so I wonder if it is not trademarkable.

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waffles2go2 t1_iydzm2f wrote

Ah! Haven't heard that name in a while - Sumol is a similar drink on Amazon. But if you can't find it in Fall River....

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Meverseyou t1_iyek4ls wrote

If you don't mind going to Hudson, try firehouse seafood. Small, hole in the wall Portuguese market, but I think I've seen this there.

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