My mother is from Santa Catarina, but I grew up in south west Germany.
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:9...
Also known as: Electric Daisy, Paracress, Eyeball Plant, Toothache Plant, Jambu, Brazilian Cress, Sichuan Buttons, Buzz Buttons, Tingflowers, Novacaine Plant, Phak Khraat Hua Van, Brede Mafane, Agrião Do Para, Peek-a-boo, Spilanthes acmella
The plant that’s the topic of the story is a flowering herb. The plant you are asking about is called Syzygium samarangense and what you’re describing are the fruits of trees.
The Brazilian "Jambu" that the article describes is not the same thing - it's an astringent herb from the Amazon.
Amazing cuisine in that country and the people are incredibly nice and friendly. Would love to return some day again.
In my experience it runs from ~80 to <120 proof (and most commonly ~80), which is in the same range as rum and bourbon, unless you're in a state/country with some crazy restrictions I guess?
Everclear and Bacardi 151 are waaaay stronger than any cachaca I've ever seen.
Everything you said about Brazil seems true to me. And for anyone thinking about visiting us: people from here a very receptive, especially with curious and respectful tourists.
It's the same thing in French, we say "J'ai des fourmis dans les jambes" ("I have ants in my legs").
As you said, you will only find jambu on the North. I have no idea why people don't ship it around.