You might know that caviar and truffles are two of the most expensive foods in the world, but have you ever asked yourself why? As surprising as it may be for fish eggs or a little woody mushroom-type thing to have such a high price, these foods are extremely hard to come by and should be treated like the small luxuries they are! Here is a list of the most expensive foods in the world.
Almas Caviar
The most expensive caviar in the world is Almas Caviar. This black caviar has a delicate, velvety taste and comes from the rare albino sturgeon fish found only in the southern Caspian Sea near Iran. Owing to this fish being almost extinct now, this caviar is very rare and, subsequently, has a heavy price tag.
Almas means diamonds in Arabic and this caviar is almost as precious, or maybe even more. You just need to spoon a little on your hand and eat it at body temperature. Supposedly eating caviar enhances physical endurance and strength! So have fun!
You can always try some Beluga Caviar or Salmon Caviar to make a dish a little more festive.
Saffron
These tiny strands of red gold add a rich flavor and aroma to any dish. It’s astonishing to know that a pound of saffron costs between a 4- to 5-figure sum.
Justifying its cost is the labor-intensive process involved in harvesting this rare spice. More importantly, the Crocus Sativa or Saffron Crocus flower last only for a week or two around autumn-time each year. With each small flower having only three stigma, it takes about 150 flowers to produce just .05 ounces (1 gram) of dry saffron, making it the most expensive spice.
Luckily, a bit of saffron goes a long way and induces rich flavor in your dishes!
White Truffle
If you thought this meant chocolate truffles, think again. I’m talking about the strong-smelling, underground fungi that look like lumps of cookie dough or weird potatoes.
These rarer than rare delicacy has a distinct aroma and intense flavor and are found in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. White truffles can’t be cultivated or grown, so special hunting dogs like the Lagotto Romagnolo are trained to sniff them out in the wild.
Look for these in the autumn and enjoy them grated on pasta, risotto, omelets, or anything really! Or reach for their lesser expensive cousin, black truffles for a different taste.
Ayam Cemani Black Chicken
Not everyone’s cup of tea, these extremely, rare all-black chickens originating from Indonesia really are all black, except for their blood. That includes the feathers, flesh, tongue, and even organs.
The Indonesians believe the Ayam Cemani Chickens have magical powers and that the meat brings good fortune and cures all kinds of illnesses.
Whatever you may believe, finding this chicken outside of Asian countries like Malaysia and Indonesia is super rare, but not impossible.
Matsutake Mushrooms
With weird-looking tubers and black chickens making this list, it shouldn’t be surprising to see some mushrooms on it. Although Chinese Matsutake mushrooms or pine mushrooms grow all over the world, they are it’s a prized Chinese, Korean, and Japanese cuisine.
These mushrooms have a sweet, spicy flavor and are an acquired taste. They are very difficult to grow and are only harvested only once a year. Unfortunately, the pinewood nematode worm has been destroying their natural habitat.
Wagyu Beef
Japanese Wagyu Beef is the ultimate piece of meat! This Japanese beef is more tender and juicier than a traditional steak thanks to its intense flavor and fat marbling.
It’s cut from four different Japanese cow breeds found on the island of Hokkaido that must be reared and fed in accordance with strict guidelines to qualify for the Wagyu mark.
The moist, tender meat of waygu steaks melts in your mouth, just like a small piece of fish, owing to the fat that renders down during the cooking process. If you want to try a wagyu hamburger, remember it might be the most expensive burger, you’ve ever eaten.
Don’t get confused. Kobe Beef is a type of Wagyu Beef.
Kopi Luwak Coffee
Kopi Luwak or civet coffee is known the world around by its other name: poo coffee. As hideous as that may sound, this is acutally the most expensive coffee in the world.
The Asian palm civet is made to eat coffee beans that are then partially digested and defecated by the cat. Basically, this cat’s poop someone’ coffee. It’s commonly believed that the partial digestion and fermentation of the coffee beans in this cat’s stomach enhances the coffee’s flavors.
Don’t worry about hygiene; the droppings are washed, pounded, dried, and then roasted. If you’re a coffee lover, you’d probably want to try this coffee once in your lifetime. Coffee Lovers – You can find it around the world but it’s mostly made in Sri Lanka.
Iberico Ham (Jamón Ibérico)
With a deep red color and unique, rich flavor, Iberico ham is devoured as a delicacy and is hands-down the best ham in the world. Thanks to the black pigs in Spain that live in the wild and are only fed acorns (bellota in Spanish). It takes 24-36 months to cure this ham, and ‘black label’ ham is the best of the lot.
The black Iberian pig is a rare breed found only in Spain and Portugal, hence the cost. The ham’s unique nutty flavor comes from the oleic acid found in acorns. It truly is the most expensive ham in the world.
Other Most Expensive Foods:
- Foie Gras or Goose Liver Pate
- Oysters
- Edible Gold Leaf
- Moose Cheese – made from the milk of the moose!
- Yubari King melon
- Puffer Fish
- Vanilla Beans
Best Bits to end with!
Don’t miss out on a chance to try any of these foods if you have the opportunity. You’ll know what the hype is all about! I am a sucker for white truffles on any menu!
You can find most of these foods at Fine Food Specialist (UK)!
