White Alba Truffles
There's a luxurious black truffle that you might grate over buttered spaghetti, and then there's the clover d'Alba Madonna, or white Alba truffle, which grows in Italy.
In 2007, a huge white truffle was auctioned in Macau. Stanley Ho, known for his love of truffles, paid a record-breaking price for the fragrant and delicious truffle, making it the most expensive truffle to date. It's for sale for $330,000. Two years later, He purchased another expensive truffle weighing 2.86 pounds at an international auction. Despite its smaller size, its Tuscan origin attracted bidders' interest, resulting in its price being the same as what Mr Ho had previously paid.
sturgeon caviar
Siberian sturgeon caviar is one of the most expensive foods on earth, prized for its salty and earthy taste. Iranian Beluga fish produces the world’s most expensive caviar, Almas. The "black gold" sold for £20,000 per kilogram ($34,500 at the time) and was made from the eggs of the rare albino sturgeon.
Casio Cavallo Podo Rico
"Caciocavallo Podolico" is a unique cheese made exclusively from the milk of the Podolica breed of cows. These cows have the ability to adapt to harsh environments and are raised in wild or semi-wild conditions, giving their milk unique properties. This cheese is aged in caves for up to 36 months, giving it a rich flavor. It is a symbol of the cultural and food identity of the Gargano region.
edible gold
There is a long tradition of using edible gold in food to honor gods, enhance vitality, and display wealth. Today, it has transformed into a way for diners to enjoy luxury even during their usual meals. Edible gold usually weighs 23 to 24 carats and has no metallic or any taste. Due to its dry texture, it is mainly used for minimal decoration. Surprisingly, edible gold is relatively cheap compared to regular gold, with a pack of 30 tablets costing less than $10, although the tablets are small and thin.
Ethical foie gras
Foie gras is an expensive delicacy produced through force-feeding ducks and geese, causing controversy and bans in various countries. However, Spanish farmer Eduardo Sousa is revolutionizing foie gras production by feeding his geese on acorns and olives. The process is ethically certified, but the product is still expensive due to its unique production method.
gooseneck barnacle
Goose barnacles are filter-feeding crustaceans that live on rocks and floating debris in the intertidal zone of the ocean. In Galicia, gooseneck barnacles are so difficult to catch that fishermen risk their lives to pluck them from rocks broken by the waves. If the harvest is good, the income per kilogram can exceed US$500.
iranian pistachios
The bright green pistachios are prized for their subtle flavor and beautiful appearance. Iranian pistachios are grown in ideal conditions and offer unique flavor and health benefits.
Acorn-fed Iberian ham
amón Ibérico de Bellota is the best ham in the world. Acorn-fed, free-range Iberian ham is aged for more than two years, developing an incredibly complex flavor and alluring aroma.
Japanese Kobe Beef
Fatty Miyazaki Wagyu beef is considered the best beef in Japan. It is made from Tajima beef, which is famous for its high concentration of soft fat marbling in its meat. This fat has a low melting point, making the meat tender and juicy, making it popular with consumers around the world. The history of Kobe beef dates back to the 2nd century AD, when the cattle were used for agricultural work. However, it gained international popularity in the 1980s and 1990s. To be classified as true Kobe beef, Wagyu beef must meet certain criteria, such as A4 or A5 grade, be born and raised in Hyogo Prefecture, and have a carcass weight of 470 kilograms or less. Each cow has a unique 10-digit ID number for traceability. Because of these strict requirements, Kobe beef is known for its hefty price tag.
meerkat coffee
The world's most expensive coffee passes through the digestive system of a civet, a cat-like creature, before it reaches your cup. There are plenty of fake versions on the market, but expect to pay around $150 for 100 grams of beans to make musky beer.
matsutake mushrooms
Matsutake, a Japanese black truffle with a spicy aroma, sells for up to $2,000 per kilogram.
Saffron
The precious stems of the crocus are native to Greece and must be harvested by hand, but are now mainly harvested in Iran. Sydney spice merchant Herbie's sells half a gram for $9.90.
bird's nest
If you haven’t heard of swiftlets, you may have heard of bird’s nest soup, a popular Chinese delicacy that’s been hailed as a cure-all. Bowls made from white bird's nests sell for $2,000, while bowls made from precious red bird's nests can fetch $10,000.
Balsamic vinegar
Just like oil is not oil, all vinegars are not created equal. Traditional balsamic vinegar produced in the Modena region of Italy will always carry DOP, proving it is a legal product, and will be labeled "Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale".
vanilla bean
Fragrant vanilla flowers require hand pollination during the short time the flowers are open. The work is incredibly labor intensive.
abalone
Dried abalone is sought after because of its larger size, increased price and stronger flavor due to aging. In famous seafood restaurants, it is usually braised and served with sea cucumber or goose net.
black watermelon
Densuke watermelon, another Japanese delicacy, is about 20 times more expensive than regular green watermelon. At auction, larger or particularly fine fruit can fetch $6,300.
