The biggest factor that determines the cost of food is scarcity. The limit can be nature. Some foods can only be grown in certain regions. Others can only be foraged, not grown. Here are the 10 most expensive foods in the world.
10. Bluefin Tuna
Highly prized in Japan and throughout the world, bluefin tuna is a staple of sushi and sashimi. This tuna has a tender texture and a rich, buttery flavor. Bluefin tuna’s popularity has led to overfishing in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, making them an endangered species. A single piece of bluefin tuna as sushi or sashimi can cost between $10-$80.
9. White Truffles
White truffles are the edible spores of an underground fungus. The white variety has a rich, earthy flavor, with hints of oak and garlic. White truffles primarily come from the Piedmont region of Italy, and parts of Slovenia and Croatia. They have to be foraged rather than cultivated. One ounce of white truffles sells for over $250.
8. Kobe Beef
Kobe Beef only comes from Wagyu cattle born, raised, and processed within Japan’s Hyogo Prefecture in western Japan. These consume a diet rich in grains, resulting in a tender texture and higher fat content. Only 3,000-4,000 Kobe cattle come to market annually. In the US, Kobe beef runs $25-$50 per ounce. At restaurants, an ounce can run $76 or more.
7. Kopi Luwak Coffee
These beans are harvested after being eaten and excreted by Asian palm civets, a cat-like animal native to Indonesia. This helps ferment and partially break the beans down. After a thorough washing, they’re roasted. The coffee has a rich, smooth flavor with hints of chocolate and caramel. One pound of beans runs about $600. A cup of coffee costs $100.
6. Saffron
This spice is made from the dried stigma of the saffron crocus flower. The flavor is floral, honey-like, with a slight bitterness. It’s grown primarily in Iran. Harvesting is labor-intensive and must be done using tweezers. Each crocus flower only makes three strands of saffron. It retails at around $10-$20 per gram.
5. Beluga Caviar
This luxury food is made from the eggs, or roe, of sturgeon fish. The most expensive caviar comes from the beluga sturgeon. Unfortunately, this sturgeon species has been so overfished it is now on the critically endangered list. The US has banned imports. However, farm-raised from Florida will run around $830 for about an ounce (28 grams).
4. Ruby Roman Grapes
Ruby Roman grapes are an exclusive variety only grown in the Ishikawa Prefecture of Japan. Farmers limit the number of grapes provided to ensure quality. That makes them rare. Ruby Roman grapes have a rich, fruity flavor that is very sweet. They are often compared to wine grapes. Bunches go from $90-$1,000 based on quality.
3. Matsutake Mushrooms
Highly prized in Japanese cuisine, Matsutake mushrooms have a strong, earthy aroma and a firm, meaty texture. Although native to Japan, they’re also found in China, Korea, and the Pacific Northwest. They cannot be reliably grown and must be foraged among the roots of red pine trees. Roundworms have limited the supply. They cost as much as $1000 per pound.
2. Iberico Ham
This cured ham is produced in Spain and Portugal. The meat comes from the Iberian pig, a breed known for its nutty flavor and unique texture. They roam wild, consuming an acorn-heavy diet. After processing, the meat is salted, dried, and aged for up to 3 years. A single 13-17 pound leg can cost between $500-$4500.
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1. Densuke Watermelon
This rare and unique melon has a black rind and is only grown in volcanic soil on the island of Hokkaido in northern Japan. Its crisp, red flesh delivers exceptional sweetness, often described as that of a honeydew melon with a hint of strawberry. Only 10,000 are grown annually, and sell at around $250, but some have sold for over $6,000.
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