10 Rare and Expensive Foods From Around the World

Here Are the 10 Most Expensive Foods

As truly said by J.A. Brillat-Savarin, "The discovery of a new dish does more for human happiness than the discovery of a new star". Even a child when given an ice cream instantly smiles, hence it is a fact that food, and that, too, a delicious one makes everyone in this world happy. But many mouth-watering dishes are unexplored as they are available only in some parts and others are unfortunately deprived of those meals. As many renowned chefs have mentioned, there is a story behind every ingredient and its creation into delightful dishes that give you a memorable experience. Are you ready to hop on to the journey of discovering exotic delicacies and the places they originate from?

1. Kopi Luwak 

This one is for all the coffee lovers out there but is pretty expensive. Kopi Luwak is a delicacy that originates from the lands of Indonesia and the coffee beans are picked from the Asian Palm Civets' feces. It is one of the most expensive coffee beans available in the world and costs $700 per kilogram. The pricing of Kopi Luwak is on the higher side as it is the result of fermentation which happens in the Civet's stomach which enhances its nutrition and enriches the flavors and taste of the coffee.  

2. Saffron 

Saffron is an exotic spice extracted from the Crocus Sativus flower. It is believed to have originated from Greece. The spice is known for its antioxidant properties, which make it a healthy supplement to be added to the diet. Some impressive health benefits of saffron include; improving the mood and fighting depression, boosting libido, assisting in weight loss, reducing heart diseases, lowering blood pressure, fighting cancer cells, and improving memory. It is considered to be one of the most expensive spices in the world, with 1 gram costing between $8 and $10.

3. Caviar 

Caviar is one of the most expensive foods in the world, with an attractive look. Caviar refers to the salted, unfertilized eggs of a fish. Given its hype, it is even considered a status symbol in some parts of the world. Mostly sturgeon fish’s eggs are used as caviar. The price of caviar can vary from $50 per ounce to $500 per ounce depending on the quality of it. Female sturgeon fish take almost a decade before they start producing eggs, which makes them quite exotic.

4. Kobe Beef

Kobe beef is a type of Japanese beef made from Tajima cattle, which have concentrated soft fat. What makes it delicious is the fact that the fat has a low melting point, which on cooking leads to a slice of juicy meat, that melts in the mouth. A pound of Kobe beef costs between $200 and $500. This beef is internationally popular and has been making waves since the 1980s. The export of Kobe beef from Japan started in 2012.

5. Matsutake Mushrooms

Matsutake Mushrooms are a variety of wild mushrooms grown in Japan, China, and Korea. They are quite rare, which makes them one of the most costliest mushrooms in the world. Some rare varieties in Japan can even cost up to $2000 per pound. Due to their rarity, they are even considered as a gifting option. They grow for a very small season between late summer and early autumn, and there are challenges associated with their harvesting. All this adds up to the exorbitant prices globally.

6. Iberico Ham

Iberico Ham is a distinguished variety of jamón or presunto produced in Spain and Portugal and is the cured leg of a Black Iberian Pig. This ham is one of the most expensive and delicious ones and costs around $140 per pound. The reason behind their upsurged costs is the Iberian breed is a rare kind and has to be fed with acorns and natural harvest. Due to the multigrain diet, Iberian ham has a nutty flavor and is best paired with cheese which gives it a juicy and tender touch.

7. White Truffles

White truffles are the most rare truffles originating from Italy. They are the fruiting body of the Tuber Magnatum Pico fungi species. The highly fragrant aroma and limited availability in the market, have led to these being called "diamonds of the kitchen". They are good sources of vitamins, and minerals, and are believed to be aphrodisiacs. A pound of white truffle costs between $1500 and $4000. The record for the costliest white truffle ever sold is $484,000 for just a pound of it. Truly diamond of the kitchen!

8. Kiwano 

Kiwano also known as horned melon is an exotic fruit delicacy that has its origin in Africa and is super-healthy to include in diets. The fruit has horns-like textures in its covering and grows in mostly mild and dry climates in African forests. The taste of Kiwano melon is mostly on the mild side and is a bit sweet which gives you the taste just like cucumber due to its high water content and edible soft and chewy seeds. Kiwano can be eaten raw and if needed the pulp can be used in several savory or sweet recipes due to its high nutritional value.

9. Qvevri Wine

The wine is fermented through a traditional method practiced mostly in Georgia in Qvevri vessels or pots. These are egg-shaped earthenware pots that can contain 13 to 1,000 gallons of wine and are the perfect storage to age and ferment the wine. The winemakers stuff the pots with the wine bottles and bury them in the ground at steady temperatures which allows them to ferment perfectly. The price of the wine depends upon how old and fermented it is and the average cost of wine in Georgia is around $22.00 for a 750 ml bottle. 

10. Pu-Erh Tea

Considered one of the most healthy and beneficial for our health and well-being, Pu-Erh tea famously known as the Black tea was first found in the Yunnan province of China. It has a range of anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties which not only keep all the infections away but are also very healthy for our nervous system and brain. The only side effect of the tea comes from the caffeine element but due to that, it keeps you active. The high-quality Pu-Erh tea has somewhat of a nutty and earthen taste and is sold for up to $10,000 per kilogram.