Brazilian tapioca thinks outside the (bread) box to gain Covid cashflow

Refusing to let Covid restrictions derail their market business, a Brazilian couple got back to basics in selling traditional, indigenous, gluten-free flour in shops.

The beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast meant Daniela and Rod Ferrari had little to miss about their homeland of Brazil when they migrated 11 years ago.

But there was one small thing they needed from home - the recipe for making traditional v flatbread.

The couple are well known for their Eumundi market stall selling tapioca bread with a range of delectable fillings.

But when Covid-19 restrictions hit, they were hamstrung for cash.

“We decided if we sold the tapioca flour itself, at least our customers could still enjoy our product at home,” Ms Ferrari said.

And so, the idea for their new business, Brazilian Tapioca was founded.

The couple set about sourcing tapioca to be ground and processed in a commercial kitchen in Noosa and are building on their range of gluten-free tapioca products, including flour and starch.

“Back in Brazil, everyone knows how to make a versatile flat bread out of tapioca and water,” Ms Ferrari said.

“It is the basis for so many meals, savoury or sweet, and with the rise in demand for gluten-free cooking it is healthy and nourishing.

“Making bread from tapioca has been around since the Brazilian indigenous people first began to harvest the cassava plant and we love that we have introduced this important piece of Brazilian history to our home on the Sunshine Coast.”

Brazilian Tapioca founders Daniela and Rod Ferrari. Picture: Supplied

The forced downtime of the pandemic allowed the couple time to plan out their new product range, with products now for sale in IGA supermarkets and many more product ideas yet to hit the shelves.

And with markets back up and running you can still find them cooking up their special bread each weekend to long lines of devotees at Eumundi and other farmers markets.

“We love the community on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Ferrari said.

“When the markets closed we were so worried about how to make an income, but we have had such brilliant and helpful connections in the small business community here and we are so thankful for that.”