Have you ever stopped for a second while eating to think about if someone else in the world is eating the same thing as you in this exact moment? While there are some foods that are incredibly common and eaten by the vast majority of the world, there are some that are extremely rare and hard to come by. So depending on if you're eating rice or eating A5 Wagyu beef, your answer probably varies. But to give you a better idea, here are 10 of the most eaten foods in the world and 10 of the most rare.
1. Rice
No matter where you are in the world, there's a good chance you're in a country that eats rice in one form or another. As a staple food for a majority of the world's population, rice is doing a great job of keeping many stomachs full. While it's especially common all over Asia, the versatility of rice makes it easy to incorporate into numerous different cuisines.
2. Wheat
Used to make a plethora of different staple foods like bread, pasta, and pastries, it makes sense why wheat is one of the top eaten foods across the world. While Western countries use wheat typically for bread and various doughs, Asian countries also use wheat to their advantage to create foods like noodles and dumplings.
3. Maize (Corn)
You might only think about corn as a delicious grilled side enjoyed during summer barbecues, but for a vast majority of the world, corn is an essential food. It's incredibly important in many cultures, particularly in the Americas and Africa. It can be eaten plain as is, processed into syrup and oil, or turned into cornmeal to create plenty of other foods like tortillas and cereals.
4. Potatoes
As you likely already know, potatoes are arguably one of the most versatile vegetables out there. You can prepare it in some many ways, making it a flexible ingredient that easily works its way into many cuisines. Whether it's enjoyed mashed, fried, baked, or roasted, many countries around the world use it as a main part of people's diets.
5. Tomatoes
Perfect for turning into sauces, soups, or eating plain as is, tomatoes are a crucial ingredient used in many cuisines. Just think about it, from the delicious tomato pasta sauces of Italy to the rich and creamy tomato ramen broths of Japan, tomatoes can be used in so many different ways.
6. Soybeans
While you might not think much of the little soybean, don't forget that it's used to create so many products we all consume. Tofu, soy milk, soy sauce, and miso are just a couple of examples. While it's more dominant in Asian countries or places that typically live off vegeterian diets, it's also becoming more popular in the West as well.
7. Sugar
You may not have considered sugar to be a food, but if you think about it, it's consumed in every country around the world. It's an essential ingredient used in cooking and baking after all.
8. Fish
When you look at the grand scheme of things, one of the most commonly eaten proteins around the world is fish. There are a seemingly infinite number of ways to eat this protein, from eating it fresh like the sashimi in Japan, to dried, salted, fermented, roasted, thrown in soups, or used in curries. It's such an amazing food staple that provides plenty of nutrients too.
9. Eggs
While eggs are a staple ingredient commonly used in breakfast foods, baking, and pretty much everything else here in America, the same goes for the rest of the world. Eggs are a necessary ingredient for countless recipes of different cuisines worldwide, making it clear why it's one of the most eaten foods ever.
10. Chicken
When it comes to meat, the most popular of them all is definitely chicken. Typically costing less than other types like beef or pork, it makes it more accessible to people across the world. It also helps that it can basically be added to any dish you make. You can grill it, fry it, roast it, or toss them in soups and salads.
1. White Truffles
You likely already know truffles are a high-end ingredient usually only featured in the classiest of dishes. But what if we told you white truffles are even more sought after? Even more difficult to find than your classic black truffle, these rare goodies are exceptionally expensive thanks to their renowned smell and taste.
Stephencdickson on Wikimedia Commons
2. Matsutake Mushrooms
Considered a highly coveted ingredient in Japanese cuisine, the Matsutake mushroom is unlike anything you've ever seen or tasted. If you ever get the chance to eat one, it'll change your opinion of mushrooms forever; they have a very unique spicy smell and taste. These are incredibly rare and hard to get your hands on.
Yu Morita on Wikimedia Commons
3. Saffron
One of the most expensive and rare spices in the world, saffron is no joke. It's rarity comes from its harvesting process which is very laborious. The amount of flowers that need to be harvested in order to produce even the smallest amount of saffron is unbelieveable.
4. Bird’s Nest Soup
Yes, this Chinese dish is as strange as it sounds. And given how bizarre it is, you shouldn't be surprised to learn it's considered a rare delicacy. Made from the saliva of a certain species of swiftlets, this dish is not only beyond expensive, it's hard to come by because of how dangerous and difficult it is to harvest the ingredients.
Blogger jojotawok on Wikimedia Commons
5. Fugu (Pufferfish)
While eating pufferfish, also known as fugu in Japanese, might not seem terribly crazy, you'll change your mind once you know it can be lethal. Pufferfish contains toxins that can be deadly if chefs do not prepare it properly. In a way, you're really trusting that the chef knows what they're doing if you're feeling adventurous enough to try it.
Yamaguchi Yoshiaki from Japan on Wikimedia Commons
6. Iberian Ham (Jamón Ibérico)
If you think you know everything there is about ham, you definitely haven't tried Iberian ham before. This special cured ham, which is generally produced in Spain, will take you to another universe. It only comes from a very specific type of pig, and the curing process is so specialized, you're left with an incredibly intense and complex ham flavour that's unlike anything you've had before.
Peachyeung316 on Wikimedia Commons
7. Almas Caviar
While you already know caviar is a food associated with the rich and fine dining, did you know there are different types that range in rarity? One of the rarest and most expensive types of caviar in the world is almas caviar. It comes from the albino sturgeon which is hard to find, and when combined with its long aging process, you can see why it's got such a high price tag.
8. Kopi Luwak Coffee
You might complain that your favourite drink at Starbucks is expensive, but if you knew about how costly Lopi Luwak Coffee was, you'd probably stop talking. This rare coffee is made with the most unusual method. Taken from beans that have been consumed and then excreted by the Asian palm civet, the beans then go through a very unique fermentation process that gives it its special flavour.
ronnieliew on Wikimedia Commons
9. Black Watermelon (Densuke)
Japan is known for doing crazy experiments with fruit that create interesting shapes and flavours. One example of this is the Densuke watermelon, also known as the black watermelon. Just one look at the photo and you can see why. Grown solely on Hokkaido Island, this fruit is grown and produced in the most limited of quantities - you'll be lucky if you ever even see one!
[puamelia] on Wikimedia Commons
10. A5 Wagyu Beef
If you think filet mignons and New York striploins are good, head to Japan to have your mind blown. A5 Wagyu beef from a specific breed of cow in Japan is on its own level. Known for its melt-in-your-mouth tenderness and intense marbling, this high quality beef will definitely be a food experience that would change your life. But of course, it's quite rare and expensive as a result.
originally uploaded by User:Schellack, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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