Cristina Jabur thinks Columbus is ready for a sweet sampling of Brazil.
Originally from Brazil, Jabur has been in Ohio for just a short while. She worked in Brazil as a film producer for years before coming to Columbus to work as an executive producer for a documentary in May 2015. She enjoyed Columbus, and noticed that the city’s colorful landscape of restaurants and food was missing an iconic Brazilian dessert — brigadeiro.
“That’s why I decided to start — I thought Columbus deserved brigadeiro,” said Jabur. “I want people to know a bit of our culture.”
Santo Brigadeiro, her home-cooked sweets business, formed in October 2015.
The treat is deceptively simple: a mix of condensed milk, chocolate powder, and butter cooked, cooled, and hand-rolled into sprinkle-coated spheres. Though similar in looks, it’s not a truffle — in terms of texture, it’s similar to a silky caramel. In Brazil, it’s a must-have dessert for parties, weddings, children’s birthdays, and so on. Jabur grew up watching her grandmother cook brigadeiro, and eating the warm, gooey concoction straight from the pan at sleepovers.
Santo Brigadeiro’s current flavors include coconut, black and white, dulce de leche, almond, nutella, coffee, oreo, and dark chocolate. Chocolate sprinkles and coconut are popular toppings. Jabur additionally makes a nutella-like brigadeiro spread, perfect for strawberries, crusty bread, or straight from the jar.
Brigadeiro’s origins are foggy, but a popular theory dates back to ’40s-era Brazil, when a handsome brigadier named Eduardo Gomes was vying for presidency. His supporters baked the treat to promote and fundraise for his campaign. Gomes ultimately lost the election, but brigadeiro’s popularity quickly catapulted, becoming the national dessert of Brazil.
Jabur cooks and ships brigadeiro boxes and spreads straight from her apartment kitchen. She’s currently on the hunt for a production facility – the Food Fort may be a feasible space. Santo Brigadeiro’s social media accounts have supplied her with consistent stream of business, shipping to customers in and out of state — many who’ve never tried brigadero before.
“This is my first time trying something abroad, so it’s challenging, but I’m really happy because the reactions I’m getting are so positive,” said Jabur. “It’s so nice seeing the look on their faces when they try it for the first time.”
To find out more about the business behind Santo Brigadeiro, CLICK HERE to read more at TheMetropreneur.com.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/Santo-Brigadeiro-USA.
