Ka'i ladrillo
ka'i ladrillo («ladrillo de mono»)
A rustic brittle of toasted peanuts and dark cane molasses, cut into brick shapes.
What it is
Peanuts are toasted, whole or lightly crushed, and bound with hot dark cane molasses; sometimes grapefruit or bitter-orange juice is added to cut the sweetness. The mixture is poured into molds and, once cool, cut into compact rectangular blocks, hard and a little sticky. It is sold wrapped at fairs, markets and popular festivals, and it travels well in a backpack.
Ingredients
History
The name combines ka'i, Guaraní for “monkey,” with ladrillo (“brick”), for its block shape. It belongs to the region’s family of peanut-and-cane-syrup sweets, a legacy of the colonial sugar mills.
Did you know…?
Peanuts (manduvi in Guaraní) are also strung into garlands that decorate the crosses for Kurusu Ára on May 3.
When
Year-round; fairs and popular festivals.
Where
Mercado 4, fairs and village general stores.
Researched and reviewed in September 2026 with 2 sources. A second reviewer checked dates, coordinates and lodging. Hours and prices may change.