There are so many different types of food in the world, that you could dedicate your life to trying new types, and never get through them all! It can be hard to think of all the different types of foods, so it’s always good to take a look at lists of them!
The letter "E" is the fifth letter of the English alphabet, of which there are 26. However, when it comes to foods that start with the letter "E," there are nearly too many to count. On this list are foods you may have enjoyed recently and those you never knew existed.
One of the great things about life is the ability to try something new every day. There could be new foods out there that would rock your world. Of course, it's always a risk straying away from your tried and true foods, but the rewards are well worth it.
Most ingredients and foods you will likely be familiar with, as they will be used daily in common meals that you eat! However, you might be surprised by all the new foods that you discover!
We’ve compiled a list of 43 foods that start with the letter E, as we thought it was an Excellent way of Entertaining you with an Enormous list of foods, known and unknown, for you to plan meals with!
Here they are:
1. Earth Nut
The earth nut is better known by its more commonly used name, which you will instantly recognize: peanut. It’s an incredibly popular snack, and can be eaten in many ways, be it savory or sweet.
Peanuts are usually roasted and salted to snack on, but they can also be found whole in their shell. They also make a great addition to some meals!
2. Easter Eggs
Easter eggs are chocolate eggs that are eaten during the Easter holiday, as part of a long-standing holiday tradition. These chocolate eggs come in all different sizes, and can sometimes be filled with chocolate as well.
They are traditionally decorated with colors or candy, and then hidden around different places for the children to find and eat. They are directly linked to the Easter bunny rabbit and the Easter egg hunt.
They can be made in different ways and with different flavors, and they are by far one of the most popular and favored aspects of the festive season!
3. Eclair
Eclairs are a delicious French dessert, enjoyed all over the world. An eclair is basically an oblong-shaped pastry, filled with cream and chocolate, and then dipped in chocolate icing as a final touch.
There are other variations, with different fillings or icings too. It’s also very easy to make at home, which is probably what has made it so popular!
4. Ecrevisse
Ecrevisse is a type of fish, most commonly known by the name of crayfish. It’s a highly popular seafood, as it is both delicious and easy to prepare.
This fish is smaller than a lobster in size, and it tastes somewhat similar to a shrimp or crab, only sweeter and with a lot more meat on it (or rather, fish). It is served as a main meal, often accompanied by side dishes and different types of sauces and seasoning.
5. Edam
Edam is a type of cheese that comes from the Netherlands, popular worldwide, and used in many meals and appetizers or snacks.
It’s made from cow or goat milk, and it is semi-hard. It’s often sold within a solid rind made of red wax, with the actual cheese being quite soft and creamy.
One of the best parts of this cheese is that it never spoils or goes out of date. Instead, it will harden and become less enjoyable to eat, but it’s always safe for consumption!
6. Edamame
Edamame is basically soybeans but in their immature state. They can be eaten raw, straight out of the pod, and a lot of people enjoy them as a go-to healthy snack.
They’re incredibly high in proteins, and they’re also super filling. So eating them as a snack is definitely a good idea if you want to avoid snacking on other things that are less healthy!
They’re usually sold in snack-sized packets, or in big containers for bulk buying.
7. Eel
An eel is a ray-finned fish, quite easy to recognize. It is also served as a food in many places, as you would any other seafood.
Although it might seem like an odd food, it’s very healthy and full of many proteins. It is commonly served inside a sushi roll, or as a seafood dish paired with soy sauce or others.
8. Egg Drop Soup
Egg drop soup is a delicious type of soup, from Chinese cuisine. It consists of a simple vegetable or chicken soup, lightly flavored.
Then, raw eggs are added to the mix and whipped in while the soup is still cooking. This creates long ribbons of the egg inside the soup, delicious and aesthetically pleasing!
It is usually served in Chinese restaurants, but it can also easily be made at home!
9. Egg Fruit
The egg fruit is a type of fruit, native to the South of Mexico and Central America. The fruit is mildly round and of bright yellowish color.
It gets its name from the unique taste that sets it apart, as this fruit tastes like an egg custard. That is also why it is usually used as a topping on cakes and other sweet desserts, as the flavor just goes perfectly with them. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is often turned into jam or jelly.
10. Eggnog
Eggnog is a type of drink that is closely associated with Christmas and the holiday season, as that is when it is traditionally served. It is a dense drink, made from milk, sugar, raw egg, alcohol, nutmeg, and vanilla.
However, there are many variations, as the spices can change according to taste. It’s very creamy and rich, and it is usually served warm as a dessert.
Traditionally, families drink it the night before Christmas in places such as the United Kingdom and the United States.
11. Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are a type of noodle, originating from Asian cuisine. They have become incredibly popular and are enjoyed all over the world, paired with many different meals and ingredients.
These noodles are made from flour that has been courted in egg, hence the name. They can be served in all sorts of noodle meals and variations.
12. Eggo Waffles
Eggo waffles are a type of breakfast waffle, quite popular in the United States and in Great Britain. They’re a really easy and fast breakfast meal, which is why they’re so successful.
They just need to be toasted, and then you add butter, jam, or any other ingredients as an addition on top of them.
13. Eggplant
Eggplants have become quite well-known due to their emoji, which is often used in text messages to signify the...erm...male genitalia. However, the eggplant is, first and foremost, a food.
It is also known as the aubergine, and it is a purple-colored vegetable that can be used in many different meals. It can be cooked in many ways, with deep-frying being one of the most common. It is especially popular in Italian pasta dishes, and in vegetarian fry-ups.
14. Eggplant Parmesan
The eggplant parmesan is an Italian food dish that combines eggplants with parmesan dish. It is done by frying up the sliced eggplants, which are then layered with parmesan cheese and any other ingredients of your choosing, before being served.
It is super easy to make and it’s an incredibly healthy option that fits many different types of diets, which is why it has become so popular.
15. Egg Roll
Egg rolls are a portion of delicious Chinese food, usually served on the side with a bigger meal. They’re cylindrical and deep-fried, filled with different ingredients.
Traditionally, they are filled with cabbage, pork, and other savory things. However, you can find egg rolls of many different types, including vegetarian ones!
16. Eggs
Eggs are pretty basic food, popular all around the world and enjoyed in a huge variety of different ways! Eggs can come in different types, depending on what bird or animal they come from.
Most commonly, chicken eggs are the ones used in cuisine. Eggs are often enjoyed as a breakfast meal, but they can also accompany the main meal.
They can be boiled, fried, scrambled, cooked into an omelet...They can also be used in the process of making other foods, such a s in baking cakes and others!
17. Egg Salad
Egg salad, just as the name suggests, is a salad made of egg. To be exact, it is made with boiled egg, mayonnaise, spices, and the herbs and sauces of your choosing.
It is often served as a side dish with bigger meals. It can also be put in sandwiches, and it is also very popular during picnics!
18. Eggs Benedict
Eggs benedict is a delicious breakfast food, popular in the United Kingdom, and in other places such as the United States. It consists of an English muffin, a poached egg, ham or bacon, and a sauce of your choosing to coat it all.
It’s perfect for lazy Sundays or a filling breakfast meal. It is also very easy to make and can be adapted into different variations according to your own taste.
19. Egg Tart
Egg tarts are a sweet dessert that derives from a mixture of the English custard tart and the Portuguese cream cake.
They have a pastry crust, and they are filled with egg custard, hence the name! They’re typically Cantonese but have become popular all around the world. They’re also really easy to make at home and can be done with different variations or additions too.
20. Egg Tong Sui
The egg tong sui is a food variation of the egg drop soup. What’s different about it is that it is a sweet soup, usually served as a dessert. It is made of water, sugar, and eggs, with the eggs being dropped into the soup in the same way as the egg drop soup.
This isn’t that commonly found in Chinese restaurants, as for many it is weird to have soup for dessert. Instead, it is popular in Chinese homes.
21. Elbow Macaroni
Elbow macaroni is a type of pasta, which is essentially a variant of normal macaroni. It is the same, except that each piece of pasta is slightly curved inwards.
As a type of pasta, it can be cooked into a meal in many ways and served alongside many different ingredient combinations. Most popularly, elbow macaroni is used to create the famous Mac and Cheese dish that Americans love so much!
22. Elderberries
Elderberries are a type of berry, found in elderberry trees. They’re smooth and round, with a dark purple color. They can be eaten when fresh and ripe, and they have a tangy taste. They’re not as sweet as blackberries and are instead quite bitter.
That is why they are usually used to flavor drinks and foods, instead of being eaten raw by themselves. They’re especially good for your immune system, as they’re full of vitamins and antioxidants, making them a portion of healthy food!
23. Elephant Ears
Elephant ears are a type of carnival food, highly popular in Canada. So no, they aren’t actually real elephant ears! Instead, they are made out of dough that is deep-fried and then covered in powdered sugar.
The name simply comes from the shape it has, as this deliciously sweet snack resembles an elephant ear in appearance!
24. Elk
The elk is an animal, native to North America, that can also be eaten as meat. It’s popular in Canada and other places in North America, and it’s actually very easy meat to prepare.
It’s lean, tender, and has quite a lot of flavor, so it doesn’t require much seasoning. It can be eaten in many different ways as different types of meals.
25. Emblic
The emblic is a type of fruit, native to India, that comes from the Malacca tree. It is also often referred to as the Indian Gooseberry. The fruit is round in shape and has a light yellowish color.
The fruit has a bitter taste, which might not be for everyone, but it’s got plenty of healthy properties! In fact, this fruit is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, making it really good for boosting your immune system.
26. Emmenthaler
Emmenthaler is a type of cheese, traditionally from Switzerland. This cheese is made from cow’s milk, and it has a firm body with a buttery sort of texture.
It also has big holes that go through the whole body, which is one of the main traits that sets it apart and makes it recognizable! The flavor is slightly fruity and very rich. It’s ideal for sandwiches and on cheese platters.
27. Empanadas
An empanada is a Spanish and Latin-American type of pastry, that can be eaten as an in-between meal snack, or as part of the main meal.
The pastry is usually either fried or baked, and it is most commonly savory (although you can also make sweet empanadas for desserts!)
Some of the most popular fillings are vegetables, chicken, beef, and other meats. They also come in all shapes and sizes, and some can get quite big!
28. Emu Apple
The emu apple is a type of fruit native to Australia, also known as the Australian native cranberry. It is quite rare to find, so you won’t come across it often, and if you do, it might be considered a delicacy. The fruit is small and round, usually found in a blend of green and red.
The reason for its name is that it tastes like an apple if an apple was very sour. The taste can be a little much for most people, but you should try it if you ever get the chance!
29. Enchiladas
Enchiladas are a Mexican dish, full of flavor and usually quite dense, so they’ll definitely fill you up. They’re made with corn tortillas, that are rolled up and filled with chicken, vegetables, and many other ingredients.
You can adapt them to whatever you like! They also have plenty of sauce and cheese and are then put in the oven to bake. Definitely a big meal!
30. Endive
Endive is a type of vegetable, very similar to lettuce in that it is made of green leaves. It can be eaten in salads and other leafy combinations, in a similar way to lettuce, but the endive is a lot more bitter in taste.
In fact, it is recommended that you boil it for around 5 minutes so that the bitterness doesn’t become as strong.
Alternatively, it can be cooked to be used in different meals, and the flavor then becomes a bit nuttier, which can add a great twist!
31. English Muffin
English muffins are originally from England, just as the name suggests, and they’re a very popular breakfast food.
They’re usually slightly toasted, and then, paired with other ingredients in order to make them as delicious as possible! A popular combination is an English muffin topped with an egg (a double E combo!).
Other things can also be added, such as butter or jam, mushrooms, or any breakfast additions you can think of! They can be sweet, savory, or both!
32. English Sole
The English sole is a type of fish native to the Eastern Pacific, so the name can be quite deceiving!
It’s known to be quite a fancy fish when cooked as a meal, as it has a great flavor that makes it delicious. It is usually served with steamed vegetables or rice, with a covering of different types of sauces.
33. English Walnut
The English walnut is a type of nut that comes from the English Walnut tree, native to England, just as the name suggests.
It is considered a superfood, thanks to the huge amount of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that it contains.
It has a sweet flavor and it is most commonly eaten as a snack, by itself, or with other nuts. It is also commonly used in salads and in many different desserts.
34. Ensaimada
An ensaimada is a sweet dessert or in-between meal snack, originally from Spain. To be more exact, it’s from the Balearic islands located in the Mediterranean. They’re made out of dough, eggs, flour, sugar, and pork lad. They have a round shape, with a spiral in the center.
There are different variations of ensaimadas, as they can have different fillings. The most popular are chocolate, custard, pumpkin, or a type of angel bread. They can also be eaten for breakfast or to celebrate a special occasion, and are super popular in Spain and in other parts of the world!
35. Entrecote
Entrecote is the French and Spanish word for a premium piece of beef meat, which is then turned into a steak.
It is usually cut from the sirloin, with it being a center-fillet. It is fried or grilled, and then served as a main dish with plenty of side foods, seasonings, and sauces.
It is known for being tender, juicy, and very tasty. It is most often eaten at restaurants, or during fancy meals, as it has quite a high price!
36. Erbazzone
The erbazzone is a type of Italian pie that is savory and very tasty. It is made out of two round pieces of pastry, which is then stuffed with filling before being baked and served.
The most common filling includes spinach, eggs, bacon, and plenty of cheese. It is most commonly served during the summer season, but it can be eaten all year round and can be eaten as its own meal or as a big snack.
37. Escabeche
Escabeche is a seafood dish that is quite rare to come across, and therefore, not commonly known. It is traditionally from Spain, although it is also popular in other Mediterranean countries.
It is essentially fish that has been fried, marinated, and then served cold. It is usually served soaked in vinegar, and accompanied by vegetables.
Escabeche can also be done with meat, by following the same method, but it is traditionally just a fish dish.
38. Escallop
An escallop, also known as the escalope, is a way of preparing meat. It is essentially a piece of boneless meat that has been flattened or thinned with a rolling pin or similar. It is then covered in breadcrumbs and shallow-fried.
It is incredibly popular with children, as it is super easy to eat, and super tasty. It can be served as a meal and can be accompanied by many different things, according to your personal taste. One of its main appeals is that it cooks really fast, and it helps keep the meat tender for longer!
It is essentially cooked land snails, and as odd as that might sound, they really are quite tasty! The snails are cooked in different sauces, in order to make them as tasty as possible.
Some of the most common sauces used are garlic butter and blue cheese, but the varieties are limitless. The snails are then eaten with a sharp small stick, that is used to get them out of the shell and into your mouth!
Although, fun fact, the snails are actually cooked without the shell, and then placed back inside them for presentation!
40. Escarole
Escarole is a type of vegetable, made out of green leaves. It is very similar to lettuce, and it is sold in bunches or in packs. The leaves are quite short, of an intense dark green, and with wavy edges.
Escarole is a bit more bitter in taste than lettuce, but it can also be used in salads in the same way. In fact, escarole is great for adding extra aroma and flavor into a salad! It is often sold in packs of mixed salad leaves and served as such.
41. Espresso
An espresso is a single shot of coffee, usually prepared with a coffee machine. It’s traditionally Italian, and it is therefore made to be thick and concentrated, for a very strong coffee drink.
It is enjoyed worldwide and is one of the most popular coffee options, especially when you need a good dose of caffeine to keep you going!
It can be done with different beans and has a few variations too, so you can have the espresso of your choosing!
42. Evaporated Milk
Is evaporated milk a food? It is! It’s simply cow’s milk that has been canned, with 60% or so of the water having been removed via evaporation.
It’s very similar to condensed milk, only it doesn’t have any added sugar to make it sweeter. It lasts a lot longer than normal milk, and it is ideal for making all sorts of different desserts and meals!
43. Extra-virgin Olive Oil
Extra-virgin olive oil is a type of olive oil. It is an oil that has been made with cold-processed pure olives, and for it to be considered as an extra-virgin it has to be 100% free from any additions or alterations to the final product.
Basically, it’s completely natural premium olive oil. It is most commonly used in salads and to add to different foods. It is not as ideal for actual cooking.
You probably knew most of them, but we hope you go and try out those that you hadn’t heard of!
And remember, most foods can be adapted or changed up to better suit your own personal preferences, so there’s almost always a way for you to enjoy them and integrate them into a meal!
Foods that Start With E: Our List of the Top 43
These options are sure to be a hit. So, gather your family and friends and enjoy. Let us know your thoughts!
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
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