Part 6/8:
The etymology of the term feijoada derives from "feijão," which means "beans" in Portuguese—an essential crop that has historical ties to Brazil’s indigenous populations. Early records indicate that beans were a staple for indigenous peoples, often eaten with mandioca (cassava). As the Portuguese colonists arrived and brought enslaved Africans to Brazil, a melding of culinary practices occurred, further enriching the diet.
Accounts from the 1850s describe how enslaved populations prepared feijoada, albeit without the variety of meats found today. Over time, as feijoada's popularity grew among higher classes, it began to incorporate more luxurious ingredients, particularly pork, making it accessible across all layers of Brazilian society.