When it comes to different foods there are millions of options to choose from. While it is easy to get stuck in our ways and eat the foods we are familiar with, it is important to try new things too.
We all have our favorite foods, and for most of us, it can be tough venturing out into the culinary world to take a chance on new, unfamiliar and unproven foods. Many people say, "I like what I like," when it comes to food, which is such a shame. Because everyone had to try their favorites for the first time, and until that moment, they had no idea if they would like it or not.
The same can be said for any food we've yet to try. It just takes some courage and culinary curiosity to discover your next new favorite.
While we may not always enjoy the new types of food, often we even find our new favorite dishes or flavors.
This is particularly fun to do if you are visiting a new country. Trying local food is a great way of experiencing a country and its culture to the fullest.
All the food listed below begins with the letter A. Some of these foods you may already be familiar with, but some may be completely new to you.
We hope that this article will help broaden your horizons when it comes to finding new food. Perhaps you will find your new favorite in amongst the options we have chosen!
1. Abacha
Abacha is made from a root vegetable called cassava. The tubers of the cassava are cooked and then shredded. The shredded pieces are soaked in cold water, washed and left to dry in the sun.
This is then mixed with utazi, crayfish, pepper, onions are potash, alongside other ingredients to make Abacha. This dish is popular in Igbo land, in Eastern Nigeria.
2. Açai Berry
Açai berries are a popular berry in the health and fitness world, and they are made into a powder often. They can be found on açai palm trees and originate in South and Central America.
Surprisingly they contain pits like olives, and are dark purple in color. While they are called berries, technically they are actually a drupe. They are well known for their high antioxidant content, which can help your overall health.
3. Achu
Achu is often referred to as yellow soup. It is a dish that is a delicacy in Cameroon. It is made using boiled banana, and coco.
As the name suggests, it is bright yellow in its color, and it is a fairly heavy soup. It can also contain fish.
4. Ackees
Ackee can also be known as achee or ackee apple. It is the fruit that derives from the Sapindaceae soap berry. They are similar to a longan and lycée.
They are native to West Africa, and they have a creamy texture. Overall they are fairly mild in their taste. Typically, they are served with saltfish in Jamaican culture.
This fruit grows on the ackee tree, and it is pear shaped. It has around 3-4 lobes, and is typically red when it has fully ripened and is ready to eat.
5. Acorns
Acorns are a type of food that you need to be very careful with before consuming them, this is because raw acorns are toxic to eat when raw. This is due to their tannins. The tannins can be removed by boiling the acorns in water however.
When they are cooked and prepared correctly, they can be eaten. They contain some great minerals that are good for the body, such as manganese, and iron.
6. Acorn Squash
While this squash has acorn in its name, it is not actually linked to acorns in any way. This is a seasonal squash that is usually ready to eat in the winter months.
It is dark green on its outside, and inside it has yellow flesh. Often the rind is orange too, depending on when the squash was picked.
It has a fairly mild taste overall, and is often described as having a nutty flavor. It is a little tougher overall when compared to butternut squash.
7. Adai
Adai is a type of pancake it is widely and commonly eaten is South India. It is full of protein and has the same texture and thickness as a crêpe.
It is a rice and lentil pancake that is not sweet, but savory, and often contains spices.
They are a filling treat and are healthy and nutritious. In India, they are typically served with a Kothamalli and tomato chutney.
8. Adobo
Adobo is a delicious Filipino dish which consists of stewed pork or chicken. It is stewed in soy sauce, peppercorns, vinegar, garlic, and soy sauce. It typically has a salty, sour, and sweet taste.
It is typically served with boiled or fried rice, but it can also be served with mashed potato, green salad, or quinoa, depending on taste preferences.
9. Adzuki Beans
Adzuki beans are a type of bean that are commonly found in East Asia. They are typically red in color, but they can also be gray and black too. These beans are commonly used in Asian cuisine.
They are linked to a number of different health benefits, such as helping to reduce the risk of diabetes, and helping to aid digestion. Their flavor is rich and often described as nutty.
10. Aero Chocolate
Aero is a popular chocolate in the UK. It is milk chocolate that has a light and bubbly center. It can be purchased in a few different flavors, such as mint, and orange.
It has a smooth chocolate shell. It was invented by Nestle, in 1935.
11. Agave
Agave is something you may already be familiar with. It is a natural sweetener, and is a great option to use if you want to replace refined sugar, molasses, or syrup in a drink or meal.
While it is a healthier alternative to sugar, if you are tracking your blood sugar levels, it is not the best alternative to sugar.
12. Aioli
Aioli is a condiment that is similar to mayonnaise it its taste, though it is typically less thick in its consistency.
It is made using raw egg, which has been emulsified with olive oil. It features lemon juice, and sometimes a small amount of mustard. Most aioli also features garlic.
It was first created in France, and can be used in sandwiches, as a sauce, on salad, and to accompany chicken dishes.
13. Airheads
Airheads are a popular American candy that is made with taffy. It is colorful, sweet, and comes in long strips.
They are a popular candy and are available in many flavors, such as blue raspberry, strawberry, and apple. It is a chew and delicious treat.
14. Alewife
Alewife is a type of fish that can be found in the North-Western Atlantic. It is part of the herring fish family. While this fish used to be consumed often, nowadays, it is more commonly used as lobster bait, or pet food.
They can be cooked, smoked and eaten, and they do contain a good source of Omega 3, and protein. However, it is not common practice to eat Alewife, and it is more commonly used as bait for fishing.
15. Alfalfa
Alfalfa is part of the legume family and while it is usually found in herbal supplements. It is consumed as alfalfa sprouts.
While it can be added into stir-fries, for example, it is not something that is commonly consumed.
It is a subtle flavor that can be described as slightly sweet and nutty. It is native to the Western and Norther United States.
It is easy to make, and often some people choose to add more milk instead of cream to make it a less heavy dish. The sauce was created by Alfredo di Lelio in Rome, Italy, in the late 1800s.
17. Alligator
Alligator may be a type of food beginning with A that you are shocked is featured.
However, it is consumed in many places around the world, such as, Australia, Thailand, and South Africa. There are places in the United States that serve alligator meat too, such as New Orleans, Louisiana.
It is meat that is low in fat and high in protein, so is quite healthy to consume. It does not have an overly strong taste, one that is mildly fishy.
18. All Purpose Flour
While all-purpose flour cannot be eaten on its own, it is a key ingredient for many recipes, especially when it comes to deserts and different types of bread. It can also be called plain flour.
It is a mixture of hard and soft wheat and does not contain any rising agents. It is the most popular type of flour because it is so versatile. It is a great option to use when creating things such as breads, biscuits, pizza and muffins.
19. Allspice
Allspice is well-known and commonly used to season savory food. While some people believe that allspice is a blend of different spices and ingredients, it is not.
It is the dried fruit that is taken from the Pimenta Dioica plant. They are similar in their size and color to peppercorns.
Allspice is a very popular ingredient used in Caribbean cuisine, and it is also widely used in Middle Eastern cuisine too.
In Europe, it is used to season sausage meat often. Interestingly, it is used in the US for some desserts.
20. Almonds
Almonds are another popular type of food beginning with A. While almonds are called nuts, they are not true nuts, they are actually seeds, which grow on almond trees.
They are mainly grown in the US, but can also be grown in other countries, such as Spain, Iran, and Morocco. They have many health benefits, such as healthy unsaturated fatty acids, magnesium, and vitamin E.
21. Amaranth
Amaranth is commonly known as Rajgira. While it is commonly known as a grain, it is actually a seed, that is similar to quinoa. They are yellow, and are no bigger than the size of a sesame seed. Amaranth like rice, should be cooked before it is eaten.
It can be found in Mexico, Central America, India, and China. It was a food commonly consumed by the Aztecs, and it was woven into their worshiping.
When the Spanish found the Aztec communities, they stopped the Aztec people eating it as a way of preventing them from worshiping so that they would follow Christianity instead.
22. Amarelle Cherries
Amarelle cherries are a specific kind of cherry that tends to be a less sour in comparison to other types. They grow on trees taller than many other types of cherry, and they typically have paler skin.
Sometimes their juices run clear, and on the whole the juice is a lot lighter than other kinds of cherry. While the outside of an Amarelle cherry is bright red, their insides are more subdued.
23. Amaretti Cookies
Amaretti Cookies are an Italian sweet treat that is made using almond extract, almond flour, sugar, and egg whites. Amaro is Italian for bitter and the English translation of Amaretti is “the little bitter ones”.
They are served with coffee, liquor or desert wines typically after a meal. Amaretti cookies are light and are a popular treat in Italy.
24. Amaretto
Amaretto is not a food, rather it is an alcoholic beverage. It is an Italian liqueur that is very sweet.
It has an almond like taste, this is due to it being made with almonds. It can also be made using peach stones and apricot kernels.
It is often consumed on its own, or mixed into a cocktail. A popular company that creates this drink is Disaranno. It is a popular liquor to drink in European countries.
25. Anchovies
Anchovies are a fish that belong to the Engraulidae family. They are a small foraging fish that can be found in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian oceans.
They are a popular fish to eat and while they can be eaten fresh, can also be sold as pastes and in jars and cans too.
Furthermore, they have a very strong fishy smell and taste, which can be off-putting for many people, but a tasty meal for others. They tend to taste quite salty too.
26. Andes Mints
Andes mints in an American candy that has two layers of chocolate and a crème de menthe, mint layer between the chocolate.
They are small rectangular sweets that are refreshing, creamy and minty.
27. Anise
Anise is also commonly called aniseed. They look like smaller fennel seeds, and they are typically ground into a powder, though they can be used whole too.
They have a very strong flavor that does not appeal to everyone, and this flavor resembles licorice.
It is used in many countries, such as Mexico, Germany, Italy and the Middle East. It can also be used to create alcohol and different types of liquor.
28. Aniseed Balls
Aniseed balls are a type of candy, with a very strong flavor. They are a small red/brown hard candy ball, with a strong aniseed flavor.
They are made from rapeseed and have many layers of sugar, making them last for a good amount of time.
Because they have such a strong taste, many people are not fond of this flavor. While it is not for everyone, if you enjoy the taste of aniseed, you will likely enjoy these sweets. They are a popular old-fashioned candy in the UK and Ireland.
29. Annatto
Annatto is a condiment rather than a food, that is bright orange/red. It is often used as a food dye or coloring, in food such as Cheetos, and Velveeta cheese.
This coloring is taken from the achiote tree seeds. These can be found in Brazil and Mexico.
While it is used for its color, it does have a slight taste to it. The powder is often described as being a mixture of nutmeg and pepper.
30. Antelope
Antelope is a type of game meat. While it is not the most popular meat to eat, it can be a delicacy. It is very similar to venison, and some type of antelope meat used includes Blackbuck, and Nilgai.
It is described as having an earthy taste, and it is more commonly eating around the festive period.
31. Aonori
Aonori is a type of edible seaweed that can be found on the coast of Japan. It is sweet in its taste, and it is full of good vitamins and minerals.
It is a popular ingredient in Japanese dishes, such as yakisoba. It can also is used in condiments, stir-fry and soups.
Furthermore, it can also be used in powder form, but it is more commonly purchased in flakes.
32. Apple
The apple is one food that you are likely very familiar. Apples are consumed all across the world. They are a fruit that is available in many varieties.
Some of these varieties include, pink lady, opal, pink pearl, granny smith, and gala, to name a few.
This popular fruit is juicy and sweet, though some varieties are more sour than others. They grow on trees, and they are grown across the world.
33. Apple Sauce
Apple sauce is a sweet sauce that is usually served as an accompaniment to meat, particularly pork or goose. As its name suggests it has a strong apple flavor, and it is particularly easy to make.
Apple sauces originated from Central Europe which is gained in popularity. It dates back to an English cookbook in the mid 1700s, but it is said to have been first created in Germany.
34. Apricots
Apricots are a popular sweet fruit can can be eaten fresh. They are also commonly eaten as a dried fruit. They are a light orange fruit that is a similar size to a plum, and it is native to Asia.
There are many apricot trees in California, thanks to the fruit being introduced by missionaries from Spain. Apricots are a nutritious fruit that his high in antioxidants, is hydrating and also helps to protect the liver.
35. Arame
Arame is a type of sea vegetable that is particularly popular in Japanese cuisine. It has a soft, and slightly sweet taste.
It is known to have good health benefits, being rich in minerals. It can be boiled, sautéed, and used in many dishes. It has dark, thin leaves that are long.
36. Arrabiata Sauce
Arribiata is an Italian sauce, that is usually used in pasta dishes. It translates to angry, which can be linked to the face that this is a spicy sauce.
It contains chili peppers, and it is common practice to serve it with penne pasta in particular.
It is a tomato sauce that also contains olive oil and garlic. It can also be used on pizzas, in a red Chile strew, and with meatballs if you prefer a tomato based sauce with a twist.
37. Arracacha
Arracacha is a type of root vegetable. It is native to the Andes in South America, and is a popular food choice in this region. It is similar to a parsnip in its shape size and color. It contains good amounts of dietary fiber.
It has a distinctive taste that resembles chestnuts, cabbage, and celery. It can be used to make soups, but it can also be fried and roasted too.
38. Artichokes
Artichokes are the bud of a thistle, which is a flower. They are picked while immature, before they mature. Even though it is a bud of a flower, it is classed as a vegetable. This flower is native to the Canary and Mediterranean islands.
While it is a tasty vegetable, it is not easy to prepare and only the heart of the artichoke can be eaten. Artichokes have a milk nutty flavor.
39. Artificial Sweetener
While we have already included agave in this article, there are other types of artificial sweeteners that are available to purchase too.
There are many types of artificial sweetener, such as sucralose, stevia, xylitol, and aspartame. They are chemical substances, and given this, some people do choose to avoid them.
40. Asado
Asado is a Filipino dish that is made with pork. While it is a Filipino dish, it is inspired by Chinese flavors. Its main flavor is star anise, but it also has a coating of soy sauce, spice, and brown sugar.
Traditionally a slab of braised pork is used and is then cut up into slices before it is served. It is usually served on special occasions.
41. Ash Cake
An ash cake can also be referred to as a fire cake or ash bread. Its name derives from the way in which it is cooked. Ash cake is baked over heated stones and are covered with hot ashes.
This bread is popular to eat in Arabian countries, specifically in Yemen. It is made using water, flour, yeast, and salt. They can be dated all the way back to c. 310.
42. Asparagus
Asparagus is another food beginning with A that you may already be familiar with. It is part of the Asparagaceae family, which has over 200 different species.
Garden asparagus is the vegetable that you will be the most familiar with, as this is the asparagus that is edible.
It has many health benefits, being high in folate, vitamin K and potassium. Asparagus is a vegetable that is commonly linked to causing urine to smell pungent, but even so, it is a great and healthy addition to many dishes.
43. Aubergine
Aubergines are more commonly called Eggplants here in the United States, however, in the UK they are referred to as Aubergines.
They are part of the nightshade family solanaceae, and they have a deep purple skin, and has an egg shape.
It is a type of fruit that is native to Southeast Asia. It can be eaten in many ways, such as baking, roasting, and frying.
44. Avgolemono Soup
Avgolemono Soup is a Greek soup that is made using egg and lemons. It is similar to a broth. It uses tender chicken and also contains cooked rice.
It is light on the stomach and is often served to those who are feeling under the weather.
Avocados are another food that likely sprung to mind quickly when thinking about foods beginning with the letter A.
Avocados are also known as butter fruit or alligator pears across the world. They are classed as a fruit and have a rich and buttery texture and taste.
While they are not to everyone’s tastes, they are popular now more than ever, given their many health benefits. They contain healthy mono-saturated fatty acids.
Summary
We hope that you have found this article interesting. As you can see there are so many types of food beginning with A, some of which you may have never heard of before!
There is nothing better than discovering and trying new food for the first time, especially if they are from different parts of the world and are cultural delicacies.
While you may be familiar with some foods beginning with A that we have included, we hope that this article has helped you find some new foods to try.
While you may be familiar with some foods beginning with A that we have included, we hope that this article has helped you find some new foods to try. Our next installment of foods that start with A will include adzuki bean, anchovy pear, artichoke, and almondmilk.
Foods That Start With A: Our List of 45
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.
