For us, foods are simply to nourish the body. However, for the world’s top chefs, they are always looking for the best foods to bring new and excellent flavors. Along with good quality, these foods are also very rare and have very high prices, it can be said to be the most expensive in the world.
1. Saffron
Saffron, also known as saffron, is an extremely special Indian spice, hailed as the best spice in the world. It is grown and harvested in many places, however the rarity of Saffron makes its price not cheap at all. To produce about 0.5kg of saffron, it is necessary to harvest up to 50-75,000 saffron flowers. Equivalent to a football field. Each 0.5kg of saffron costs about 500-5000 USD depending on the quality.
2. Densuke watermelon
Usually watermelon is a favorite dessert of many people. However, its price is also quite reasonable. Densuke watermelon has a slightly different appearance than regular watermelons, it is dark green in color with a very hard rind. Currently this special type of watermelon is being grown on Hokkaido island. Every year only about 65 Densuke watermelons are harvested, which means that the people who can enjoy this special watermelon are very few. And to buy a Densuke watermelon you will have to pay 6000 USD.
3. Yubari melon
Japan is a country with many rare fruits. In addition to Densuke watermelon, on Hokkaido island people also grow another special type of melon, which is Yubari melon. This type of melon has a similar appearance to cantaloupe, however it has its own special flavor. Not as expensive as Densuke melons, each Yubari melon costs only about 150 USD. Perhaps the lands created by volcanic ash on the island of Hokkaido have contributed to growing special fruits like this.
4. Matsutake mushroom
Matsutake mushrooms are grown in many places around the world such as China, Canada, Finland or America. However, it is known and famous for its dishes originating from Japan. The rich flavor of this mushroom makes it one of the best spices in the world, but its preparation is also very elaborate, making the price very high. Matsutake mushrooms are imported into Japan from all over the world at a price of about 90 USD per kg, however after processing they are sold for up to 2,000 USD per kg.
5. Chocopologie
Chocopologie is a special type of chocolate made entirely by hand from Knipschildt. It is made from dark chocolate and black truffles, a very rare mushroom in the world. Each Chocopologie chocolate has a truffle filling and is covered with chocolate. The special thing is that it is handmade, so the number of this type of chocolate sold is very limited. You can buy this type of chocolate for 2600 USD/pound (1 pound = 0.453kg)
6. Kobe beef
Raised and harvested for meat in the Hyogo region of Japan, Kobe cows are carefully monitored from birth until meat is harvested. They live a “big” life compared to other livestock species. They eat the best grass in a certain amount, drink beer and are especially massaged every day, which makes their meat very soft and has a special flavor. With such a special feeding regime, it is no surprise that each pound of Kobe beef costs about 770 USD.
7. Almas caviar
A standard in the cuisine of the upper class is probably foie gras and caviar. Among them, Almas caviar is the rarest of all types of caviar in the world. Almas caviar is an extremely rare item from Iran. Caviar is already an expensive dish, Almas caviar is even more expensive because of its scarcity. There is only one store currently selling this type of food: Caviar House & Prunier in Piccadilly, London. Each kilogram of caviar is placed in a box made of 24 karat gold with a selling price of 25,000 USD. If you just want to enjoy their flavor, you can choose to buy a small box for 1,250 USD.
7. White truffle mushroom
Belonging to the mushroom family, with an unattractive appearance, white truffle mushrooms are always on the list of the most expensive foods in the world. White truffle hunters must use boars or specially trained dogs to sniff out the specialty that is always hidden under the thick carpet of autumn leaves. White winter truffles are the most expensive variety, costing between $6,000 and $10,000 per pound.
8. Swallow’s nest
Swallow’s nest has long been an extremely rare dish that only Chinese kings could enjoy. It is likened to the caviar of the East. It is taken from the nests of swiftlets hanging on cliffs, these nests are made of very nutritious swiftlet saliva. Because finding ingredients for a Swallow’s nest is difficult, a Swallow’s nest can cost up to 3-4,000 USD.
9. Gold
Although gold is a rare metal and probably no one would think of swallowing a pile of gold, it’s not just because it’s indigestible or because it’s very expensive, but because gold actually has no special taste. However, there are some special people who have come up with ways to process and incorporate gold into dishes. Although it does not make the food taste better, it shows the power and wealth of those people who enjoy it.
