The Most Expensive Food in the World: 22 Costly Food Items

For those that enjoy fine dining and quality over quantity, here are some very luxurious food items to try at least once. From the finest caviar to rare white truffles this list of the most expensive food in the world features extremely rare and unusual fare.

What Is The Most Expensive Food in the World?

Read on to discover the world’s most expensive food, from edible gold leaf to white truffles. The items here are expensive ingredients rather than elaborate food dishes such as the zillion dollar lobster frittata, the Louis XIII pizza and Golden Phoenix cupcake.

22. Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Made from unprocessed, cold-pressed olives, extra virgin olive oil is considered to be the healthiest olive oil. Rich in antioxidants and healthy monounsaturated fat, this high quality oil has many uses.

Billing itself as the first luxury olive oil in the world, /lambda/ is an ultra-premium extra virgin olive oil from Greece. This multi award-winning oil is made with Greek Koroneiki olives by Speiron Co.

Handpicked from some of the oldest olive trees in Greece, the olives are hand picked and cold pressed. This olive oil is bottled and labeled by hand, and has an intense fruity flavor.

Presented in a handsewn leather pouch, this is the most expensive olive oil in the world, at $89 for 500 ml.

21. Oysters

200 years ago, oysters were a cheap bar snack, affordable by all. However, over-fishing reduced the amount of oysters available and they then became a luxury food.

Oysters were first cultivated by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. The merchant and inventor Caius Sergius Orata laid out artificial oyster beds in 97 B.C.!

These days, oysters are quite a costly food that’s generally eaten raw and served on a bed of ice. Coffin Bay King Oysters are among the most expensive oysters in the world. They take 6 to 7 years to grow, weigh one kilo and cost $100 AUD, around 77 USD.

20. Ayam Cemani Black Chicken

Known for its distinctive black feathers and beak, the Ayam Cemani chickens originate from Indonesia. Their unusual coloring is due to hyperpigmentation.

Ayam Cemani chickens are prized for their meat, which is very tender and flavorful. This is one of the most expensive chicken breeds in the world, with a single bird costing upwards of $2,000.

In restaurants, Ayam Cemani chicken can cost over $100 per pound.

19. Goose Barnacles

Also known as stalked barnacles, these distinctive looking crustaceans live on rocks and flotsam. Gooseneck barnacles can only be harvested by free-diving or at low tide.

Due to this, they are among the most expensive seafood in the world. Native to the Eastern Atlantic, goose barnacles can be found in Australia, Cape Verde, France, Morocco and Spain. The most prized goose barnacles are from Galicia, Spain.

The cost of goose barnacles can reach $125 per pound. Gooseneck barnacles have quite a briny taste and its best to wash them down with some vinho verde wine!

18. Wagyu Beef

Juicier and more tender than traditional steaks, wagyu beef is known for its fat marbling and intense flavor. The word wagyu means Japanese cow and most great wagyu beef comes from Japan.

However, you can now also get fantastic American wagyu beef which gives Japanese wagyu a run for its money. The most expensive cut of Japanese wagyu comes from Matsusaka in Mie Prefecture.

These Japanese Wagyu steaks are from virgin female cows. The finest quality wagyu beef can cost up to $200 per pound. A Matsusaka cow fetched 50 million yen, around $400,000 at market in 2002.

If you want to try an expensive burger, try a wagu burger – they’re delicious!

17. Kobe Beef

Kobe beef is one of the most expensive food items in the world. The beef comes from the Tajima breed of cattle that is native to the Kobe region of Japan.

Only around 3,000 cows are classified as kobe each year. The cattle are raised according to strict guidelines and fed a diet that includes beer and grains.

This results in beef that is incredibly tender and flavorful. The very best Kobe beef can cost over $250 per pound.

16. Vanilla

Surprisingly, the humble vanilla pod is among the most expensive foods in the world. With a price of up to $600 per pound, vanilla is the most labor intensive crop in the world. Pollination must be done by hand on the one day that the vanilla flowers each year.

Not just any vanilla though, Tahitian vanilla is the cream of the crop. While Madagascar vanilla beans are the most commonly grown, Tahitian vanilla beans have a complex flavor with notes of cherry, anise and plum. When used in food such as Tahitian vanilla ice cream, they give an incomparable smooth texture and sweet taste.

Tropical storms have reduced the amount of vanilla beans on the market and prices are now soaring even higher.

15. Kopi Luwak Coffee

One of the most expensive coffees in the world, kopi luwak is also known as civet coffee. That’s because it is made from coffee beans that have been eaten and then excreted by the Asian palm civet.

While this may sound unappealing, the civet coffee beans actually undergo a fermentation process during their time in the civet’s digestive tract, resulting in a coffee with a smoother, sweeter flavor. Kopi luwak is typically very expensive, but coffee lovers who are looking for a truly unique experience may find it worth the price.

Kopi Luwak coffee can often cost up to $700 per pound.

14. Matsutake Mushrooms

The most expensive mushroom in the world, matsutake can fetch up to $1,000 per pound. These Japanese mushrooms have a sweet yet earthy flavor that can be an acquired taste!

One reason why they’re so pricey is that the pinewood nematode worm is destroying their natural habitat. The Matsutake mushroom is only harvested once a year.

The annual harvest is less than 1,000 tonnes. These mushrooms are best prepared with minimal seasoning to let their distinctive taste shine through.

13. Ethical Foie Gras

While traditional foie gras is highly controversial, the free range geese used for ethical foie gras are raised on family farms where they are free to roam. FoieGood and La Pateria Du Sousa are two examples.

The geese stop over in Spain on their migration to Africa and fatten up naturally to prepare for the flight. The animals are not given any hormones or antibiotics and there is no force-feeding involved in the process of this prime foie gras.

The geese eat a high protein diet of grains, which they voluntarily consume. Ethical foie gras costs up to $1540 per pound.

12. Pule Cheese

Often considered to be the most expensive cheese in the world, pule is made from donkey milk and goat’s milk. Pule cheese is native to the Balkans, where it is considered a delicacy.

This cheese is white and has a strong, pungent flavor. Pule cheese is also said to have health benefits, as it is high in calcium and protein. Extremely rare, this distinctive cheese is difficult to make.

Female donkeys, known as jennies, produce around 2 liters of milk a day, compared to up to 60 liters for cows. Furthermore, pule cheese is only produced in Zasavica Special Nature Reserve in Serbia.

That’s why a pound of pule cheese can cost such a high price – up to $1,700.

11. Iberico Ham (Jamón Ibérico)

You’ve probably heard of Parma ham from Italy, but did you know that Iberico ham is actually the most expensive ham in the world? Coming from the rear leg of black pigs, Spanish Iberian ham is a true delicacy.

These black pigs live in the wild and feed on acorns, or bellota in Spanish. The full name is Jamón Iberico de Bellota. Also known as Pata Negra, meaning black paw, this ham takes its flavor from the oleic acid found in the acorns.

Iberian ham is matured from 24 to 36 months. You can pay as much as $4,500 for a whole leg of jamón ibérico. On the plus side, the ham will last for up to one month once the vacuum pack is opened.

10. Elvish Honey

You may have heard of manuka honey before, however Elvish honey is an even rarer delicacy. In fact, it is the most expensive honey in the world at $6,800 per kilogram.

Extracted by professional climbers from caves in northeast Turkey, Elvish honey is prized for its unique properties and exquisite taste. Rich in antioxidants and minerals, this rare honey is thought to be immune-boosting.

A great source of energy, Elvish honey may also lower cholesterol levels and promote the healing of wounds.

9. Saffron

Costing up to $5,000 at wholesale prices and up to $10,000 per pound at retail prices, saffron is the most expensive spice in the world. The reason is because it takes 75,000 saffron flowers to make one pound of saffron spice!

The saffron plant, also known as saffron crocus flower, only blooms for one week a year. Harvesting saffron is a labor intensive process.

The good news is that a little saffron goes a long way. Rich in flavor, saffron can be used in risottos, paella and as a general marinade for fish.

There are numerous health benefits of saffron. This potent spice helps to prevent inflammation and may also improve mood and reduce PMS symptoms.

8. Fugu Fish

In a Japanese restaurant, one portion of fugu or puffer fish can cost as much as $470. That’s because this fish can be lethal if not prepared properly.

The fugu fish contains tetrodotoxin poison, and can only be prepared by chefs who have undergone three years training or more. Also known as tiger fugu, the fish has a mild flavor and slightly chewy consistency.

7. Black Watermelon

One of the most expensive food items, this distinctive fruit from Japan is also known as a Densuke Melon. With a sweet and crunchy taste, these watermelons come from the island of Hokkaido.

These watermelons need space and months of care, so less than 100,000 are generally available each year. Due to this scarcity, Densuke Watermelons can fetch up to $6,000 at auction.

They’re a prized gift at special occasions such as weddings in Japan.

6. White Truffles (Alba Truffles)

No list of the most expensive food in the world would be complete without truffles. We’re not talking about chocolate truffles, but the kind that pigs dig up ;-).

Black truffles are known as black diamonds, however, the white variety are the most expensive truffles in the world. Found in the Piedmont region of Italy as well as in Tuscany, these fungi are a popular delicacy.

To sniff out the tuber magnatum, or Alba white truffles, locals use truffle hogs or dogs such as Lagotto Romagnolo, an expensive breed of dog. Fresh white winter truffles cost from $6,000 to $10,000 per pound.

As this posh food is so expensive, chefs use white truffle sparingly. You can grate fresh white truffle on omelettes or use truffle as a delicious salad dressing. White truffle butter is a great kitchen ingredient to have to hand.

5. Bluefin Tuna

Heading the list of the most most expensive food in the world is bluefin tuna. The hefty price tag can reach over $5,000 per pound. A 600 pound bluefin tuna sold for an eyewatering $1.8 million to a sushi restaurant at Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo in January 2020.

Bluefin tuna fish has a meaty texture and delicate flavor. However, Southern bluefin tuna is critically endangered, Atlantic bluefin tuna is endangered and Pacific bluefin tuna is vulnerable. This is due to severe overfishing.

The Japanese MSC certified Usufuku Honten tuna fishery is the first sustainable alternative. They fish Eastern Atlantic bluefin tuna according to an allocated quota.

4. Strottarga Bianco Caviar

Strottarga Bianco represents the pinnacle of luxury caviar, made from rare Siberian Albino Sturgeon eggs and enhanced with 22-karat edible gold flakes. This exclusive caviar is produced in Austria and is considered one of the most expensive caviars available today.

A single teaspoon of Strottarga Bianco can cost as much as $37,000, making it extraordinarily exclusive. The caviar features large, pale eggs with a delicate texture and refined taste that’s enhanced by the addition of pure gold.

The gold flakes don’t add flavor but create a visually stunning presentation that epitomizes luxury dining. Each jar is hand-crafted and represents the ultimate fusion of traditional caviar-making techniques with modern luxury presentation.

Unlike traditional caviar that relies solely on the sturgeon’s natural qualities, Strottarga Bianco combines premium albino sturgeon roe with precious metals, creating a product that’s as much about spectacle as it is about taste.

3. Almas Caviar

Almas caviar, meaning “diamond” in Russian, is widely considered the most expensive food in the world. This extraordinary delicacy comes exclusively from albino beluga sturgeon aged 60-100 years in the southern Caspian Sea near Iran.

The rarity of Almas caviar cannot be overstated. Albino beluga sturgeon occur naturally at a rate of perhaps one in tens of thousands. These ancient fish can live over 100 years and weigh up to 2,000 pounds, but don’t begin producing eggs until they’re 15-20 years old.

True Almas caviar commands prices of $34,500-$40,000 per kilogram, with the finest specimens exceeding $40,000. The caviar features distinctive golden pearls that are large, firm, and burst cleanly on the palate with a complex, buttery flavor.

Each tin is individually numbered and certified, often packaged in 24-karat gold containers. The caviar is processed using the traditional malossol method with minimal salt to preserve its delicate taste.

Due to conservation concerns, beluga sturgeon are heavily regulated by international law. The United States banned beluga caviar imports in 2005, making authentic Almas caviar increasingly rare and valuable.

2. Yubari King Melon

Often considered the world’s most expensive fruit, Yubari King melons are hybrid cantaloupes grown exclusively in Yubari, Hokkaido, Japan. These perfect melons are cultivated in climate-controlled greenhouses using nutrient-rich volcanic soil.

Each melon takes 100 days to grow and receives individualized care. Farmers hand-pollinate the flowers, prune plants so only one melon grows per vine, and give each fruit a paper “hat” to prevent sun damage. The melons are cleaned daily and grown in precisely controlled temperatures.

At auction, Yubari King melons have fetched astronomical prices. In 2019, a pair sold for $45,000, while in 2016 another pair commanded $30,000. Even regular premium specimens cost around $200-300 each in stores.

Inspectors tap each melon to listen for the ideal resonant sound and check for the distinctive sweet fragrance. In Japanese culture, these melons represent the ultimate luxury gift, particularly for special occasions and business relationships. The city of Yubari, once a thriving coal mining center, now depends heavily on this melon industry for its economic survival.

1. Edible Gold Leaf

Edible gold leaf is made of pure gold and is safe to eat as long as it ranges between 22 to 24 karats. This expensive ingredient is actually tasteless.

Gold leaf can be used to decorate cakes, cupcakes, chocolate, and candy. It can also be used to make gold-leafed cocktails or in dishes such as the Golden Opulence Sundae at Serendipity 3 in New York City.

A gram of edible gold leaf can cost up to $169 and well over $15,000 per pound. This makes it the most expensive food in the world. Luckily, a little goes a long way and it can be found in specialty stores or online.

Here’s a list of the most expensive food in the world:

1. Edible gold leaf – Up to $15,000+ per pound
2. Yubari King melon – Up to $45,000 for a pair at auction
3. Almas caviar – $34,500-$40,000+ per kilogram
4. Strottarga Bianco Caviar – $37,000 per teaspoon
5. Bluefin Tuna – Over $5,000 per pound (record $1.8M for 600lb fish)
6. White Truffles (Alba Truffles) – $6,000-$10,000 per pound
7. Black Watermelon (Densuke) – Up to $6,000 each
8. Fugu Fish – $470 per portion
9. Saffron – Up to $10,000 per pound retail
10. Elvish Honey – $6,800 per kilogram
11. Iberico Ham (Jamón Ibérico) – Up to $4,500 for whole leg
12. Pule Cheese – Up to $1,700 per pound
13. Ethical Foie Gras – Up to $1,540 per pound
14. Matsutake Mushrooms – Up to $1,000 per pound
15. Kopi Luwak Coffee – Up to $700 per pound
16. Vanilla – Up to $600 per pound
17. Kobe Beef – Over $250 per pound
18. Wagyu Beef – Up to $200 per pound
19. Goose Barnacles – $125 per pound
20. Ayam Cemani Black Chicken – Over $100 per pound
21. Oysters – $100 AUD (Coffin Bay King Oysters)
22. Extra Virgin Olive Oil – $89 for 500ml

Final Thoughts on The Most Expensive Food in the World

As you can see, there are plenty of foods out there that come with a sizeable price tag. The world’s most expensive food items are all unique in their own way.

From the rarest meats to the most exclusive fruits, these foods will definitely leave a lasting impression (on your taste buds and your bank account). If you liked this article, be sure to check out our other food articles.

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