21 Most Expensive Foods in the World
All humans need food. But while some are noshing on ham sandwiches, others are seeking out the finest and most expensive ingredients.
Items such as caviar and truffles are commonly associated with opulence, but some of the items on this list are more surprising. From rare delicacies like moose milk cheese to unconventional treasures like black watermelon, the culinary world’s priciest offerings never fail to astonish.
These are the most expensive foods in the world.
1: Almas Caviar
At $34,500 per kilogram (about $15,454 per pound), it’s no wonder that “almas” means “diamond” in Russian. This exclusive caviar comes from albino Beluga sturgeons in the Caspian Sea.
The sturgeons must be at least 100 years old, which creates a spongier texture.
2: Saffron
According to a Business Insider report, Saffron can cost as much as $10,000 per kilogram ($4,545 per pound). Though you may find “saffron” for far less at your local supermarket, it may not be the real thing.
Producers often adulterate saffron by adding dyed corn silks or coconut fibers, as the real stuff is tricky to cultivate, must be hand-harvested, and production is down due to droughts.
3: Kobe Beef
True Kobe Beef can easily run over $150 per pound. To be authentic, the beef must come from Tajima-gyu cattle of the Kobe region. This cattle type has maintained a pure bloodline since the 1700s, takes longer to raise than traditional cattle, and requires special feed to create the characteristic marbling found in Kobe beef.
4: Alba White Truffles
Alba White Truffles sell for over $7,000 per pound. Though all truffles are sought after, the Alba variety is especially prized for its deep, earthy flavor. They only grow in the wild forests of Alba, Italy, and must be found by well-trained dogs between September and early December.
5: Bluefin Tuna
The cost of Bluefin Tuna varies greatly by region and time of year, but the most desirable cuts from Japan can cost as much as $400 per pound. Bluefin is a staple in high-end sushi, but its popularity and the resulting overfishing have made it an endangered species.
6: Sturgeon Caviar
Beluga isn’t the only sturgeon that produces caviar-quality eggs. Other sturgeon types, like Siberian and Kaluga, also produce expensive caviar, running as much as $100 per pound.
7: Edible Gold
A single sheet of edible gold costs around $3, which doesn’t sound like much until you realize that sheet is only a tenth of an ounce. Edible gold is odorless and tasteless, making it a favorite for decorating high-end cakes and the occasional cocktail.
8: Kopi Luwak Coffee
Kopi Luwak coffee, or civet coffee, comes from beans that have been eaten, partially digested, and then excreted by the Asian Palm Civet Cat. Its exotic origins and distinct flavor make it a favorite of coffee aficionados worldwide, and they pay a pretty penny for it. Kopi Luwak coffee can cost as much as $100 per cup.
9: Matsutake Mushrooms
Japanese Matsutake Mushrooms can cost over $500 per kilogram (about $227 per pound). They have a rich flavor, meaty texture, and prized aroma. Though they have close cousins that grow in other places, including Washington state, true Matsutake Mushrooms only grow in Japan and South Korea.
10: Iberico Ham
One leg of Iberico ham weighs 13 to 17 pounds and costs about $4,500. Jamon Iberico de Bellota, which refers to Iberico pigs who were fed acorns along with regular feed, can cost even more.
11: Densuke Watermelon
Regular watermelon might cost a few dollars, but the rare Japanese Densuke, or black watermelon, sells for hundreds. Often given as a gift in Japanese culture, the Densuke watermelon grows only on the island of Hokkaido and is known for being exceptionally sweet.
12: Ruby Roman Grapes
A bunch of Ruby Roman grapes sold for $11,000 in Japan in 2019. The grape variety is known for its high sugar content, low acidity, and large size. An individual grape is about as large as a ping-pong ball.
13: Elvish Honey
For over $1,000, you can purchase a bottle of Elvish Honey, the most expensive honey variety in the world. Elvish honey isn’t cultivated like regular honey. Instead, professional climbers in Northern Turkey scale the mountains along the Black Sea to capture this sticky-sweet substance in its wild habitat.
14: Oysters
Not all oysters are expensive, but the best ones are. Coffin Bay Oysters, in Australia, sell for $100 each. They weigh over two pounds each on average, so you probably won’t need a full 12-oyster order.
15: Extra Virgin Olive Oil
You can purchase inexpensive extra virgin olive oil at any grocery store, but top-quality options cost a lot more. For example, Iliada Extra Virgin Olive Oil tins cost almost $60, which makes for a very pricey salad dressing.
16: Abalone
Abalone are marine snails found in Australia and parts of California, like Monterey. According to Yahoo Finance, they cost about $120 each.
17: Madagascar Vanilla
Madagascar vanilla can cost as much as $600 per pound. It must be hand-pollinated and harvested, which, in part, accounts for the high price.
18: Gooseneck Barnacles
In Spain and Portugal, where Gooseneck Barnacles are considered a delicacy, they can cost as much as $125 per pound. They’re also difficult to harvest, as fishermen must dive into razor-sharp rocks and scour underwater caves to find them.
19: Ethical Foie Gras
Regular foie gras is expensive, often costing up to $80 per pound, but ethical foie gras is on a whole other level. A 180-gram jar can cost as much as $215.
20: Moose Cheese
Moose cheese comes from moose milk provided by a single farm in Sweden. It costs about $500 per pound and is only available at the farm and select restaurants within the country.
21: Ayam Cemani Black Chicken
Buying a male and female pair of Ayam Cemani chickens costs $5,000, making them one of the most expensive poultry to own. The rare birds are entirely black, from meat to feathers, and are often kept as pets. A single egg can cost $16 or more, and if you want to try their meat, the Exotic Meat Market will send you a dressed bird for $299.
Most Expensive Meals
Individual ingredients like edible gold leaf and Ayam Cemani meat can be expensive, but they’re nothing compared to the cost of some of the world’s most expensive restaurant meals. Take the Fleur Burger at Fluer in Las Vegas, which costs $5,000, or the Golden Pheonix cupcake in Dubai, which sells for over $1,000.
Fine Dining on the Rise
Fine dining, which centers around exotic and often expensive ingredients, is on the rise. According to recent reports, the fine dining industry is growing at a compound annual growth rate of 2.7% and should be a $16.7 billion industry by the end of 2024.
More Than Just Food
Selling high-end steak and a nice bottle of wine doesn’t cut it for many gourmet seekers, and fine-dining restaurants are responding accordingly. Aside from utilizing rare and pricey ingredients, many now try to create unique experiences, like Under in Norway, which allows you to enjoy an 18-course meal submerged five meters below the Atlantic’s surface.
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