Embarking on a food journey can be an educational and enjoyable experience. This article will introduce you to an extensive range of foods that start with the letter ‘I’. From fresh fruits to root vegetables, as well as snacks, meals, and beverages originating from various countries, you’ll expand your culinary horizons and impress your friends at the next trivia night.
Gathered from diverse cultures and cuisines, these 60 foods listed herein provide a fascinating insight into the richness of global gastronomy. As you explore this carefully curated assortment, you’ll find new inspiration for your kitchen adventures and perhaps develop an appreciation for previously unfamiliar ingredients.
Key Takeaways
Discover an extensive list of foods starting with the letter ‘I’
Expand your culinary knowledge with items from various countries and cultures
Find inspiration in this collection for meals, snacks, and drinks
So, Let’s Explore Foods That Begin With I
Now you’ll discover delectable foods starting with the letter I, originating from nature’s bounties.
Whole Foods
Iboga Fruit
The Iboga fruit comes from the Tabernanthe iboga plant, native to Africa. Although edible, it’s known for inducing hallucinations and near-death experiences. It’s recommended to be cautious with this elongated, yellow fruit.
Icacina Fruit
The Icacina fruit, belonging to the Icacinaceae family, is native to various African countries, such as Cape Verde, Angola, and Congo. It has a round shape similar to a kiwifruit, but with no hair and pink inner pulp.
Icaco Fruit
The Icaco fruit, or cocoplum, is a small, round purple fruit grown mainly in Florida and the Bahamas. It’s used in traditional medicine and belongs to the Chrysobalanus icaco species.
Ice Apple
The Ice Apple, or Borassus flabellifer, is a fun, jelly-like fruit from South Asia. Its clear, edible seed resembles ice, hence the name. The fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C when ripe.
Iceberg Lettuce
Comprised mostly of water, Iceberg lettuce is a popular leafy green vegetable, especially in the United States. Its name is derived from its appearance when partially buried in ice for transportation. The scientific name for lettuce is Lactuca sativa.
Ice Cream Bean Fruit
The Ice Cream Bean Fruit, or Inga edulis, is both a fruit and a vegetable, due to its bean-like nature. It has a sweet vanilla flavor, and is often called “nature’s cotton candy.”
Ice Plant
The Ice Plant, or Carpobrotus edulis, is an edible succulent with bitter-tasting flowers and leaves. It’s used for making tart jams and for its medicinal properties, including aiding digestion.
Ichigo Fruit
The Ichigo fruit is the Japanese word for strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa. These sweet, red fruits are common in Japan, where they’re used to make Ichigo mochi, a popular dessert.
Idaho Potatoes
Idaho potatoes are grown in Idaho, USA, where conditions for growing potatoes are ideal. Varieties include russet potatoes and Yukon gold. The scientific name depends on the specific variety.
Ilama Fruit
The Ilama fruit, or Annona macroprophyllata, is native to Central America. Its scaly-looking outer skin covers a tart, sweet fruit that can be served with cream, sugar, and citrus juice.
Illawarra Plum
Illawarra plums, or Podocarpus elatus, are native to Australia. They’re often used in condiments, and the ornamental trees can also be used for joinery.
Imbe Fruit
Imbe fruit, from the Garcinia livingstonei plant, resemble plums with smooth, thin skin. They have a sweet, slightly acidic taste and are used to make drinks in Florida.
Incaberry
Incaberries, also known as Peruvian groundcherries, belong to the Physalis peruviana species. This fruit is used in jams, chutneys, pies, and as a decorative element in dishes due to its ornamental outer husk.
Indian Almond Fruit
The Indian Almond Fruit, or Terminalia catappa, is found in Pacific regions like the Seychelles. Its outer shell starts green and changes to dark red when ripe. It can be eaten raw or cooked.
Indian Corn
Indian corn, also called flint corn or Zea mays var. indurata, is a colorful corn variety with a low water content, making it resilient in freezing conditions. It’s often used as an ornamental decoration during Halloween and Thanksgiving.
Indian Cucumber
The Indian Cucumber, or Medeola virginiana, is a vegetable with roots that smell and taste like cucumber. It was a popular food source among Native Americans and belongs to the lily family.
Indian Fig Fruit
Fruit from the Indian banyan tree, or Ficus benghalensis, is round and orange. The strangler tree is known for being one of the largest trees in the world, with an average area of over 2000ft.
Indian Gooseberry
Indian gooseberries, or Phyllanthus emblica, are bright green fruits native to India and the Middle East. They’re said to have numerous health benefits, including lowering cholesterol.
Indian Hog Plum
The Indian Hog Plum, or Spondias mombin, is a fruit tree initially brought to the West Indies by the Portuguese. The fruit can be consumed fresh, juiced, or made into jellies and sherbet. Other parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine.
Indian Jujube Fruit
Also known as the Indian plum, the green Ziziphus mauritiana is a tropical fruit rich in vitamin C. It can be eaten raw, pickled, or turned into drinks.
Indian Mango
Indian mangoes, or Mangifera indica, are beloved in India. The fruit is versatile, suitable for eating raw or used in smoothies, juices, and purees. The tree’s wood is also useful for making musical instruments like ukuleles.
Indian Peas
Indian peas, or blue-flowering Lathyrus sativus, belong to the legume family and are mainly consumed in Asia and East Africa. They are also sold as a pulse in Italy and used to make flour.
Indian Prune
The Indian Prune, or Flacourtia rukam, is a small pinky-red fruit native to Southeast Asia and Polynesia. It has a notable star-shaped stone at its center.
Indian Sherbet Berry
The Indian Sherbet Berry, or Grewsia asiatica, is a popular fruit for making refreshing drinks in India. It’s said to taste like sherbet and can help with digestive problems.
Indian Strawberry
The Indian Strawberry, or ‘mock strawberry,” is the Potentilla indica fruit. Though edible, it’s not as sweet as a true strawberry. It’s used for ornamental and medicinal purposes.
Indian Wild Pear
The Indian Wild Pear, or Pyrus pashia, is a pome that resembles a russet apple. Its sweet and tangy taste is native to Southern Asia. The fruit starts green and turns dark brown with yellow spots when mature.
Indonesian Lime
The Indonesian Lime, or kaffir lime, is recognizable by its bumpy outer surface. Its scientific name is Citrus hystrix. Used in Southeast Asian cuisine, this fruit is also employed to create perfumes and essential oils.
Irish Moss
Irish Moss, or Chondrus crispus, is a red algae grown along the Atlantic coastline. It’s used as a thickener in dairy products like ice cream, along with calico printing and paper marbling.
Italian Parsley
The Italian Parsley, or flat-leaf parsley, is a widely-used herb in cooking. Its scientific name is *Petroselinum crispum var
Meals
Idiyappam
Idiyappam, a delightful rice noodle dish from South Asia, is a favorite breakfast option in Malaysia. Served with a combination of brown sugar and coconut, this dish is sure to tantalize your taste buds.
Idli
Originating from South India and Sri Lanka, Idli is a beloved breakfast item. These savory, oval-shaped rice cakes are made from a fermented mixture of black bean lentils and rice.
Indian Curry
Indian curries are loved by many, with a wide variety of flavors and recipes to choose from – Korma, Tikka Masala, Rhogan Josh, Vindaloo, Bhuna, and more! For the best curry experience in the UK, the Balti Belt in Birmingham is a must-visit destination.
Instant Oatmeal
For those wanting a nutritious breakfast without spending too much time in the morning, instant oatmeal is an excellent choice. It’s also perfect for office workers since it can be easily prepared in a microwave.
Irish Stew
This filling meal is traditionally made with mutton, onions, and potatoes, providing a taste of Irish comfort food. Some variations of this recipe incorporate other ingredients like celery, carrots, turnips, swedes, parsnips, leeks, and cabbage.
Isi Ewu
This dish may not be for everyone, as Isi Ewu is a goat head soup, but it is quite popular in Nigerian cuisine. A spicy cow feet variant is also available if you’re feeling adventurous.
Italian Sausage
Referred to as Italian sausage only in North America, this flavorful pork product is typically seasoned with fennel and sold in rings. This delectable sausage brings a taste of Italy to your table.
Snacks
Ice Cream
Who doesn’t enjoy ice cream? This delightful frozen treat is available in a variety of flavors to suit every taste, from the classic vanilla to adventurous options like licorice and bubblegum.
Ice Cream Cake
Ice cream cake offers layers of creamy goodness combined with a sponge base, making it a popular choice for birthday celebrations in the United States.
Iced Gems
Recall the nostalgia of childhood with iced gems, tiny biscuits topped with a hard, sweet icing that completes the perfect bite-sized treat.
Icelandic Rye Bread
Also known as rúgbrauð, Icelandic rye bread is a unique bakery delight featuring a dark brown color and closely-knit texture. Enjoy it toasted, in sandwiches or with butter spread on top.
Ice Pops
Nothing beats an ice pop on a warm day. These frozen treats are typically sweet or fruity-flavored, adding a cool refreshment that’s easy to hold with a stick.
Icing
Adding color, shine, and texture to our favorite baked goods, icing varies from runny to solid sugar paste, allowing for unlimited creativity. Royal icing goes on smooth and dries hard, perfect for cookie decorations.
Imarti
Savor the sweetness of Indian desserts with imarti, a delicate, loop-shaped treat made from vigna mungo flour then deep-fried in hot oil and coated in sugar syrup.
Instant Noodles
Instant noodles, also known as instant ramen, are a popular and convenient snack that can be prepared with boiling water in mere minutes. Their budget-friendly nature makes them a student staple.
Irish Soda Bread
Traditional Irish soda bread relies on baking soda instead of yeast for leavening and typically consists of flour, sodium bicarbonate, salt, and buttermilk.
Italian Ice
With the delicious flavor and texture of semi-frozen desserts, Italian ice is similar to sorbet and can bring a refreshing treat without eggs or dairy.
Italian Kisses
These delightful Italian confections, also known as Baci, encase a whole hazelnut in chocolate ganache and then cover it in a chocolate outer layer, creating a perfect bite of indulgence.
Drinks
Ice Cream Soda
An enjoyable and non-alcoholic drink, ice cream soda typically consists of fizzy soda topped with a scoop of ice cream. As the ice cream melts, it creates a delightful creamy foam on the drink’s surface.
Iced Coffee
For a refreshing caffeine kick during warmer months, iced coffee is made by pouring espresso over ice and adding cold milk. To customize your drink, you can incorporate flavored syrups, such as vanilla or caramel.
Iced Tea
Iced tea is a longstanding traditional beverage in which tea is poured over ice without milk. Enjoy this cool, thirst-quenching drink on a hot summer day.
Instant Coffee
Instant coffee is created using dehydrated coffee granules, which are rehydrated with boiling water. You can add cold milk and sugar to enhance the flavor and sweetness.
Irish Coffee
A spirited drink combining whiskey, hot coffee, and sugar, Irish coffee is topped with a layer of cream. Although named after Ireland, its origins can be traced back to Vienna and Germany.
Irish Cream
Smooth and creamy in texture, Irish cream is an alcoholic beverage that can be enjoyed in various flavors, such as original, orange, coffee, and chocolate. These flavors add a sweet and pleasing taste to the drink.
Irish Whiskey
Traditionally made in Ireland, Irish whiskey has an amber hue and is derived from the Gaelic term for “water of life.”
