The World’s Most Luxurious Foods1
Whether regionally-renowned in certain areas of the globe or internationally sought-after, epicureans are sure to savor these luxurious delicacies from around the world.
Matsutake Mushrooms
With an intensely flavorful profile, and particular growing conditions, the Mastsutake is one of the rarest mushrooms in the world. Foraged throughout northeast Asia, and in parts of Scandinavia and the Pacific Northwest, this strongly flavored mushroom tends to only grow around the red pine tree.
Swallows’ Nest Soup
One of the most expensive and coveted delicacies across Asia is bird’s nest soup, which is hunted in the wild from the bird’s nests of cave swiftlets, with nests perched high up on sheer rock walls inside pitch dark caves. Today, a single bowl of soup, said to be high in calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium costs between $30 and $100.
Saffron
The world’s most expensive spice, Saffron, takes about 75,000 saffron crocus blossoms, enough to fill an entire football field, to make a single pound.
White Truffles
Exclusively grown in Italy’s northwest province of Piedmont, these delicious rare truffles feature an exquisitely earthy and rich taste. With a typical price $1,350 to $2,700, White Truffles are the most expensive mushroom.
Dry-Cured Iberian Ham
The world’s most recognizable precious ham, Spain’s jamon iberico comes from an ancient breed of pig found only on the Iberian Peninsula, which is dry-cured for four years to reach its exceptional flavor.
Beluga Caviar
Found in the Caspian Sea, Beluga Caviar pearls are the most delicate of all sturgeon caviar, presenting a mild and buttery, elegantly-flavored caviar possessing a light finish.
Kobe Beef
The highly-prized Tajima-Gyu strain of Wagyu, the most sought after and most expensive beef in the world, is the crème de la crème of steaks.
Yubari Melons
The Japanese city of Yubari has become famous for a delicious cultivated melon, Yubari Melons, which are highly prized for their juicy flavor and sold in pairs. As a cult item, the most expensive pair of these melons sold at auction for $26,000.
White Pearl Albino Caviar
White Pearl Albino Caviar or, “White Pearl,” caviar is harvested from extremely rare freshwater albino (sterlet) sturgeon that are farmed in the pristine, pollutant-free waters of northern Europe.
