Linguica (or linguiça) is a traditional Portuguese sausage made from pork and seasoned with garlic, paprika, and other spices. It is typically smoked, giving it a distinctive smoky flavor. Linguica has a coarse texture and is often sold in links or coils. It is popular in Portuguese cuisine and also in Brazil, where it is served alongside dishes like rice and black beans or in the national dish feijoada. The flavor is complex, balancing savory and spicy notes with a rich, aromatic taste from the garlic and paprika. Linguica is versatile and can be grilled, fried, or baked, commonly used in soups, stews, sandwiches, and even pizzas (where a variant called linguiça calabresa is used). Its smoky and bold taste makes it a flavorful addition to many dishes. The sausage is pronounced "leeng-gwee-sah" in Portuguese, with an "s" sound for the "ç." Though the word "lingua" means tongue in Portuguese, linguica is not made from tongue but from pork. It is also popular outside Portugal and Brazil, such as in former Portuguese colonial territories and parts of the United States like California and Hawaii, where it is sometimes called Portuguese sausage. In summary, linguica is a savory, smoked pork sausage with garlic and paprika seasoning, enjoyed grilled, fried, baked, or as an ingredient in various dishes across Portuguese-speaking cultures.