Who doesn’t like food? From sushi to premium steak, the options are truly endless when it comes to meal time—that is of course if you’re willing to shell out the money.
In this day and age, fast food has become a significant part of most of our lives—surely, we’ve all had that one craving for a burger and a side of fries? Quick and cheap, it fills our stomach to satisfaction.
As awesome as fast food is however, that’s not what we’ll be talking about here. No, instead, we’ll be taking a look at the flip side of things—think gourmet and pricey. That’s right, we will be going over some of the most expensive foods in the world (most of which we can only ever dream of tasting). How do they taste? Do they live up to their price tags? These are some of the things that we’ll be exploring down below!
#10: Matsutake Mushrooms – $600 per kg
Native to Japan, the Matsutake is the most expensive mushroom in the world. While they grow in several different Asian countries, their numbers have dropped significantly over the past decade due to the effects of invasive trees and insects. A wild species, there is currently no way to cultivate these mushrooms.
Often hidden under fallen leaves, they are extremely hard to find on the forest floors. According to reports, Japan harvests less than a thousand tons of this mushroom annually.
#9: Kopi Luwak Coffee Beans – $700 per kg
Sure, there’s no better way to start off your day with a cup of coffee, but what about a cup of the world’s most expensive coffee? Native to Indonesia, Kopi Luwak is known for its exquisite taste, which can be credited to its unique processing.
For those who are unfamiliar with the process, the beans are first eaten by an Asian Palm Civet—a small, cat-like animal, before being excreted. From there, they are harvested and roasted to make the perfect cup of coffee. Don’t let this gross you out—for its taste is often described as being “smooth and earthy.”
What’s the secret to its taste? Allegedly, the digestive process of the civet is to thank. Interested in trying a cup? It’ll cost you at least $700 per kg! Want to give it a taste without having to lighten your wallet? If you’re lucky, you might be able to find it at a specialized coffee shop!
#8: The Westin Hotel Truffe Bagel – $1,000
Easily the world’s most expensive piece of bread, this bagel is anything but ordinary. Created by Frank Tujague, the Executive Chef of New York’s Westin Hotel (for which it is named after), it not only includes delicious amounts of white truffle cream cheese filling, but it also comes with a goji berry-infused jelly that boasts golden leaves. With one of its ingredients being a truffle, one of the most expensive food on the globe, it’s no wonder why this breakfast can definitely set you back a bit!
#7: Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata – $1,000
With a name like that, there’s no question it’s the good stuff! Available at the Le Parker Meridien Hotel in New York, this wondrous omelet not only features lobster claws embedded in its six eggs, but it is topped off with 10 ounces of Sevruga caviar! For those who’d like to try it without breaking the bank, a smaller version (with 10% of the caviar) can be ordered for $100. Allegedly, the full dish has only been sold approximately 12 times since being created.
#6: Dum Dum Donutterie Cronut – $2,000
A mix between a croissant and a doughnut, this luxurious “Cronut” is made of saffron-infused croissant dough, which features Amedei Porcelana chocolate and Tahitian gold vanilla beans. Once out of the oven, it’s finished with toppings of Cristal rose champagne caviar, as well as chocolate gold flakes. For those who’d like to try this sweet treat, it’s even available for purchase via food delivery platforms such as Just Eat!
#5: White Truffle and Gold Pizza – $2,420
In Valetta, Malta, you can order a once-in-a-lifetime pizza that is topped with buffalo mozzarella, 24-carat edible gold leaf and Italian truffles, the last of which is flown in on the same day from the small town of Piemonte. Interestingly enough, however, the thin-crust pizza contains no tomatoes, as it apparently clashes with the taste of the truffles.
For those who’d like to order this special concoction, a week’s advance notice is needed for the store. Of course, it’ll also set you back over $2,000!
#4: Wagyu Ribeye Steak – $2,800
This isn’t just your regular steak. Known for its marbling and incredible tenderness, Wagyu beef is highly sought after in different parts of the world—especially Japan. Why is it so expensive? The answer lies in how it’s reared. To qualify as Wagyu, cattle must be fed and reared according to specific guidelines. For instance, young calves must be fed a milk replacer by hand. In some instances, they’re even given jackets to wear when the winter gets too cold.
Given names instead of numbers, each cattle even has a birth certificate, which identifies its bloodline and farm. Today, most of the top graded Wagyu comes from the Japanese city of Kobe, in the prefecture of Hyogo. Considering all the effort that goes into rearing Wagyu, it’s no wonder why it’s so expensive! At one time, this delicious cut sold for $2,800 at a New York Restaurant.
#3: Densuke Black Watermelon – $6,000
Available only in Hokkaido, Japan, the Densuke watermelon is unique in that its rind is visually darker compared to its normal counterparts. Much sweeter than your average watermelon, it fetches a high price due to the fact that it only grows in one part of the world. Not only that, but good harvests are not guaranteed every year. At one point in time, this fruit sold for over $6,000 in Japan.
If you want to get a taste of this special watermelon, your only option is to make the long trek over to Northern Japan!
#2: Yubari King Melon – $22,000
Another fruit from the Japanese island of Hokkaido, this orange-fleshed melon is highly sought after for both its sweetness and “beautiful proportions.” Carefully grown in greenhouses, they are even given their own “hats” to wear to prevent sunburn amidst the heat.
A hybrid of two different types of cantaloupes, a top-grade melon is to be perfectly round, with an exceptionally smooth rind. At one point in 2008, two Yubari King Melons were sold for $22,000 at a Japanese auction. Talk about some expensive fruit! Depending on the grading, however, you may be able to fetch a “less perfect” melon for a few hundred dollars—only in Japan though!
#1: Italian White Alba Truffle – $160,000
And first place goes to…the Italian White Alba Truffle, which once sold for over $160,000! Known for its unique aroma—a combination of soil and rain, it offers a complex yet delicate taste.
While truffles, in general, are gourmet items, this particular version is top of the top—in fact, it’s often regarded as “The King of All Fungi.” Incredibly difficult to cultivate (more so in the recent years), they are only available a couple of months a year, almost exclusively from Italy. To make things even more difficult, they can only be forged by a special species of pigs, whose numbers have decreased over time as well.
…and there we have it! 10 of the world’s most expensive food items. Now that we’ve gone through the list, which do you want to try the most? Is it the thousand dollar bagel or the special, black watermelon? Let us know in the comments below!
