The most expensive meat in the world. The most expensive soft drinks
Today, restaurants and cafes offer their visitors an abundance of dishes from a variety of products. Also, their menu often includes exotic or exclusive treats - for example, crocodile, ostrich, and shark meat. It is clear that you will have to pay considerable sums to try such delicacies. However, marbled beef is considered the most expensive meat in the world, steaks from which will give a luxurious gastronomic explosion of taste to true gourmets and connoisseurs of gourmet food.
To obtain this type of meat, it is necessary to breed cows of the Wagyu breed (Wagyu, also known as Wagyu - translated from Japanese as “Japanese cow”). These animals have been raised in Japan for centuries; their export was strictly prohibited.
Later, livestock farmers from some countries managed to reach an agreement with Japanese farmers. In this way, these cows appeared in Australia, Argentina, and New Zealand.
The appearance of the breed in Russia became possible with the assistance of N.S. Khrushchev, who, during a business trip abroad, tried a dish of marbled beef at one of the diplomatic receptions in the United States of America. Upon returning to Moscow, the first secretary gave instructions to build a farm for breeding Vagiu cattle. They say that it was here that meat was prepared for the USSR party leaders to eat in the Kremlin canteen.
The concept of "marbling"
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has developed a method for determining the quality of marbled beef, based on determining the amount of fat passing through muscle tissue. Its ratio to the volume of meat indicates the degree of marbling of the beef. The higher it is, the tastier and more tender such a steak will be, since when frying in a frying pan or grill, the fat will melt and give additional juiciness.
The veins in the fillet should be thin, even, white, and the fillet itself should be a bright, rich, even color. This is the main criterion for choosing a tenderloin. Large, sparse fat layers are a sign of poorer quality.
Depending on the degree of marbling, the following categories of meat are distinguished:
- Prime is the highest class produced from young animals. Beef has muscle fat evenly distributed over the entire surface of the cut, which gives the fillet a marble slab appearance. This is where the name of this expensive meat comes from. Chefs in famous restaurants fry it in a dry frying pan or grill;
- Choice – fillet with a degree of marbling slightly lower than Prime. Such pieces can be baked or stewed under a closed lid;
- Select – tenderloin has a small amount of intramuscular fat, suitable for cooking (simmering) in the oven with preliminary marinating.
Breeding conditions
Until the age of 4-6 months, the main food of calves is milk. Later they are transferred to pastures in ecologically clean areas. Here, human intervention is reduced to a minimum; we can say that animals live in almost ideal natural conditions. The next stage is the transfer of livestock to individual soundproofed pens. Cows are suspended on special reins so that the muscles are in constant tension. This helps distribute fat evenly throughout the muscle mass. Also during this period, which is 200-300 days, the animals begin to be fed with the best varieties of grain, usually barley or corn is used. This diet helps the fat change color from yellowish to white. High-calorie food promotes weight gain; to increase appetite, bulls are given high-quality beer. It is known that Australian farmers replaced beer with red wine aged for many years.
Vibrating massage is used to deposit fat into muscle mass and form beautiful thin layers. To ensure the well-being of the animals on the farm, musical accompaniment is turned on daily, namely classical music, while each bull is given a massage and rubbed with sake.
Price
The cheapest fillet is considered to be the third category Select, the most expensive is the Prime category tenderloin, the price of a kilogram of which can reach $1000.
Due to the labor-intensive and costly technology, only farms produce such meat, since it is not practical to do this industrially. Therefore, the cost of such beef has not decreased for years.
Poultry meat
Among the many breeds of chickens, representatives of such unusual species as Ayam Tsemani and Ga Dong Tao stand out significantly. It is the meat of these birds that is considered the most expensive in the world, as it attracts gourmets with its exoticism and extraordinary taste properties.
Birds of this breed have blue-black skin, feathers, claws, comb, internal organs and blood. This is explained by the presence of a dominant gene, which causes hyperpigmentation. They are bred in small quantities in Indonesia and are not exported outside the country due to the possibility of spreading bird flu. Dishes from Ayam Tsemani are very expensive, the price ranges from $200 per serving.
Whatever you try in life, the impressions of the rarest and most exclusive will be the brightest for you. And even if you don’t like the taste, smell or appearance of something that is very expensive and exotic, it will remain another tick on the list of life’s rare pleasures. Luxury has many facets: some people buy expensive houses, others pamper themselves with luxury cars, chic clothes, etc. And some people just don’t mind having a snack worth several thousand dollars.
We present to your attention the most expensive food in the world, which is available only to the powerful.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE MUSHROOM
The most expensive mushroom is the truffle. The cost of a kilogram of this delicacy can reach up to 2000 euros, and sometimes even higher. White truffles from Italy are considered the most delicious.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE DUMPLINGS IN THE WORLD
The most expensive dumplings can be tasted at the Golden Gates restaurant for Russian emigrants, in the Bronx area. What makes them unique is that, in addition to veal, elk and pork, they contain iron from deep-sea torch fish, as a result of which, even in moderate lighting, the dumplings emit a blue-green light and are absolutely edible and incredibly tasty. A portion of 8 dumplings will empty your wallet by $2,400, and a portion of 16 by $4,400.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE TEA
The most expensive tea in the world is called Dahongpao, which translates to “Big Reddish Robe.” The “Big Reddish Robe” is obtained from the leaves of only 6 bushes growing near the Tianxin Monastery. The age of these unique bushes is 350 years. Less than 500 grams of the famous tea are harvested every year, and the price of the finished product reaches $685,000.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE MEAT IN THE WORLD
The most expensive meat is marbled beef. Moreover, it must be from Japanese Wagiu cows. For centuries, these cows were bred only in Japan, treated with respect and fed only the finest herbs, and given sake rubbish and beer daily. Tenderloin will cost you from $750 to $1000 per kilogram
THE MOST EXPENSIVE NUT IN THE WORLD
The most expensive nut in the world is the macadamia nut. Once a staple food for the Australian Aborigines, macadamia nuts have now become a delicious and very healthy delicacy. The cost of one kilogram of macadamia, even in its historical homeland, exceeds $30.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE CAVIAR IN THE WORLD
The most expensive caviar in the world is not black at all. And not even the rare gray one. The most expensive is Almas, an albino beluga caviar, occasionally exported from Iran. 100 grams of caviar, packed, of course, in a jar of pure gold, will cost the buyer about $2,000.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE SPICE IN THE WORLD
The most expensive spice in the world is saffron. True saffron is the stamens of a plant in the crocus family. To obtain half a kilogram of spice you need 225,000 stamens. One kilogram of real saffron costs about $6,000.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE POTATOES
The most expensive potatoes in the world are grown on the island of Nurmuatje in the Atlantic Ocean. The fields where potatoes are grown are fertilized exclusively with seaweed. All work on planting and harvesting is carried out only by hand. Peasants harvest only about 100 tons of this root crop per year. The harvested potatoes are sent for sale on the same day. Such a small harvest and pleasant taste give exclusivity to this potato variety, a kilogram of which can be bought... for 500 euros.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE OMELET IN THE WORLD
The most expensive omelet in the world can be eaten in the restaurant of the New York hotel Le Parker Meridien. It costs $1,000. In addition to the eggs themselves, the omelet contains whole lobsters. It is served on a bed of fried potatoes and garnished with ten ounces of stellate sturgeon caviar.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE OIL
The most expensive oil in the world is argan oil. Argan grows in Morocco. It's easy to recognize her. The leaves of this tree are a favorite delicacy of local goats. For his sake, they are even ready to climb trees. When you see a goat on a tree, it means it is an argan. The fruits are shaped like olives. One liter of oil requires as much as 30 kg. For 100 ml of this oil you will have to pay 250 USD.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE BREAD
The most expensive Bread in the world is Roquefort and Almond Sourdough Bread. For just $25 you can try bread from chef Paul Hollywood. The bread is made from the best class A flour, fermented with expensive French *Roquefort* cheese and high quality almonds. You can only buy miracle bread in boutiques in London, and it costs almost twenty times more than usual.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE MILK
Mouse milk is the most expensive milk in the world. Its cost exceeds $22,000 per liter. To obtain one liter of such milk, you need to milk about 4,000 mice. Mouse milk is used in medicine. Female mice synthesize human protein, lactoferrin, in milk, which is used in the production of unique pharmacological drugs. Medicines containing mouse milk improve the process of hematopoiesis after blood transfusion.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE CHEESE
A kilogram of Pule cheese, which is made from donkey milk, was valued at $1,280. This enabled the fermented milk product to take first place in the ranking of the most expensive cheeses in the world.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE WATER
The first place is rightfully occupied by the purest spring water Acqua di Cristallo Tributo a Modigliani. It is named after the famous Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. But the most interesting thing is that the smooth shape of the container in the form of a Mongoloid face is covered with pure 25-karat gold. Acqua di Cristallo Tributo a Modigliani is a mixture of the purest spring water from France, from the Fiji islands, with the addition of water from the glaciers of Iceland. This water, unusual in composition and design, costs $60,000 for a 1.25 liter bottle.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE CHOCOLATE
The most expensive chocolate in the world is called “Chocopologie by Knipschildt”. It is produced in the USA by Knipschildt Chocolatier. Naturally, this is dark chocolate. For a pound (453 grams) of Chocopologie by Knipschildt you will have to pay $2,600.
THE MOST EXPENSIVE JUICE
The most expensive juice in the world, Noni, is produced from the exotic fruit of the same name with many beneficial properties. Thick burgundy juice significantly improves well-being, relieves hypertension and tension caused by stress, and also improves well-being. Noni fruit grows on Morinda limonifolia trees, which are widespread in the South Pacific region. A box of juice (four one-liter bottles) costs from $200.
There are a lot of delicacies on our planet, the existence of which many may have never even heard of. And they are obscenely expensive. Even a rich person cannot always afford such products. Unless, of course, he is a millionaire or some celebrity with a fabulous income.
However, there is a demand for everything, and some people are willing to pay, say, 500 euros for half a kilo of potatoes. Yes, the announced amount makes the hair on your head stand on end. How, for what, why? What's bad about our potatoes?
There are answers to all these questions. So, I present to your attention the ten most expensive dishes in the world.
White truffleWhite truffle
The most valuable species are French black (Périgord) and white Piedmontese, which grow in Italy, France and Romania. However, the most expensive was the white truffle, which has a unique taste, incomparable aroma and in cross-section resembles a piece of marble. These mushrooms grow underground, at a depth of about 9-10 cm, and only sometimes they can protrude out quite a bit. This is why they are so difficult to detect. Here specially trained dogs come to the aid of a person. They pick up the truffle scent, “take a scent,” and then dig holes in the place where they smell the mushroom. True, sometimes pigs, who also have a delicate sense of smell, also practice searching for this exquisite and not accessible product. Interestingly, truffles should never be cooked, but should only be eaten raw. Otherwise, the mushrooms will lose their famous taste and aroma. As for prices, it is difficult to give exact figures. The fact is that the price per kilogram of the delicacy is constantly changing, since almost every large mushroom is sold at an auction, which is held annually in Italy at the truffle festival. It was in the Italian San Miniato that the world's largest mushroom, weighing 2.5 kg, was found. And in 2007, a 750-gram white truffle was sold to three Hong Kong tycoons for $209,000. We can say that now the cost of one kilo of white truffle is on average about 2 thousand euros.
Cheese
Moose cheese
The world's most expensive cheese was created from sheep's milk and auctioned off during an annual competition in northern Spain. for 6.3 thousand euros per half kilo. This event was truly unique, because previously the best types of cheese were sold at a price that did not even reach 100 euros (50-80 euros per kilo). However, in addition to the above, the list of record holders can also include very expensive moose cheese, produced in only one place - at the Moose House farm in Sweden. Moose milk is used for its production. You can milk a moose cow only at certain times of the year, and this process takes about 3 hours.
Saffron
Saffron
And here is the most expensive spice in the world - saffron, whose homeland is considered to be India. To obtain the spice, the stamens of purple crocus flowers are used, each of which has only three of them. Therefore, a lot of effort and time is spent on obtaining saffron. Saffron is called the king. The spice has a strong aroma, bitter-spicy taste and amazing medicinal properties. When finished, it is brittle dried threads of dark red, brown and light yellow color. Moreover, the one with the least amount of light yellow stamens is considered to be of the highest quality. A very important point to consider when consuming saffron is its correct dosage. The fact is that in large quantities it is poisonous to humans. Thus, 0.5 grams of saffron taken at a time has an unpleasant narcotic effect on the body and can lead to poisoning. As for cooking, in some countries this spice is even added to tea and coffee. They tint butter and cheeses with it (saffron gives the dish a pleasant golden hue), flavor liqueurs and soft drinks, and add it to pilaf and oriental pastries. And there are also special dishes that are simply impossible to imagine without this spice - Marseille bouillabaisse soup, Valencian paella and Milanese risotto. For 1 kg of saffron you will have to pay about 6 thousand dollars.
Iranian caviar
Iranian caviar "Almas"
The most expensive caviar in the world comes from Iran. This is Almas. By the way, caviar has always been considered a symbol of prosperity and has never been known for its low prices. Be it black, white or red. But it was “Almas” that was awarded the palm. It has an incomparable nutty flavor and a pleasant shade that varies from light gray to almost white, with a dark golden sheen. An albino beluga marks her, and she is no younger than 80 years old! And the older this fish gets, the more tender, tastier and lighter its caviar is. Which means it’s more expensive. Add to everything that Almas is packaged in jars made of pure gold! It becomes clear why the price for 100 g of such caviar is about 2 thousand dollars.
Potato
Potatoes "La Bonnotte"
The presence of light on the list of the most expensive products is a little surprising. It would seem, what could be more accessible? After all, we can easily grow this vegetable even in our own garden, spending only money on buying a simple “seeder”. However, there is a variety of potato that not everyone can handle. This is the delicacy "La Bonnotte". Its difference is its place of growth, the French island of Nurmoitiers in the Atlantic Ocean. And also the growing process: potato fields are fertilized only with seaweed using technology that is passed down from generation to generation. And, of course, the labor-intensive process of planting and harvesting, carried out entirely by hand. “La Bonnotte” tubers have a surprisingly delicate taste with a salty sea flavor and a rather high price - about 500 euro kg.
Dried pork ham
Jamon Iberico
In order to taste the best and most expensive pork ham - Iberico jamon, you should go to Spain. Or rather, to its southwestern part, to the region of Extremadura. It is there that black pigs of the Iberian breed graze, which are fed exclusively on acorns and for which huge pastures are reserved. Ham gives any dish a rich and unique nutty flavor; it is used in cooking, main dishes, and even. One of the desserts can be tasted in Spain: creamy ice cream served with a spoonful of floral honey and Iberico jamon chips. Prices per kilo of dry-cured jamon fluctuate around 365 euros.
Argan oil
Argan oil
Argan oil is the most expensive, rare and valuable in the world. It is obtained by cold pressing the fruits of the argan tree (reminiscent of olives), which grows in the semi-deserts of Morocco. Argan oil is widely used not only in cooking, but also in medicine and in the production of cosmetics. It has a golden yellow color, has beneficial properties, a high content of beauty and youth vitamin E (74%), an unobtrusive smell with notes of nuts and spices, and tastes a little like a pumpkin seed, but with a more piquant aftertaste. Using argan oil, you can add a pleasant aroma to hot dishes, a rich and rich taste to salads, and also use it for frying (it has a high combustion temperature). To produce 1 liter of oil, 30 kg of fruit is required, which is why it is so expensive: 100 ml will cost 250 euros.
For us, black and red caviar have long been a symbol of wealth and well-being on the table. Considering it the most expensive delicacy, we took the coveted jar home. And, pleased with themselves, they proudly placed sandwiches or pancakes with caviar on the festive table. Or they showed their imagination and did it. Nowadays, the powers that be are doing the same in order to demonstrate their status to everyone. Believing that a good show-off is more valuable than money, they order the most expensive products in the world for their table. Thus, delighting business partners and making their competitors gnash their teeth with envy. And although many dishes cost fabulous sums, in certain circles the demand for them is very stable. What do they eat there that we couldn’t even dream of due to its exorbitant cost? It is interesting to us! And you?
The most expensive animal products are meat and seafood
Caviar "Almas"
The most expensive is Iranian caviar "Almas". And female albino belugas throw it. Their light eggs have a pleasant golden hue. Moreover, the older the beluga is, the lighter the color of the caviar will be, and the taste will be better and more delicate. It is extremely rare and therefore very expensive. But, despite this, the list of those wishing to purchase this delicacy is scheduled for four years in advance. It is packaged in 100-gram jars made of pure gold. A jar of such caviar costs $2,000, and a kilogram can be purchased for “only” $25,000.
Marbled Wagiu beef
A true gourmet should definitely try marbled beef. Of course, if he has an extra $2500. This is how much a kilogram of selected meat costs. The Wagiu breed of black cows is bred in Japan, and more recently in Australia. Although nature does not provide for the marbling of this product, this effect is achieved through special care for cows. Elite cows are kept on a special diet and given massages. The Japanese also add beer to their diet, and the Australians add red wine. The better the care, the more tender the meat will be, which will have a higher degree of marbling. The most delicious and juicy steaks in the world are prepared from it!
Pork Jamon Iberico
Premium quality dry-cured pork ham is prepared in Spain. The so-called jamon is obtained by breeding black pigs of the Iberian breed. In one of the regions in the southwest of the country there are huge pastures for them. Thanks to the exclusively acorn diet of pigs, a unique taste and high quality of the finished product are achieved. A kilogram of jamon will cost you $400.
Recipes that used simpler jamon:
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, read on about the most expensive melon.
Bluefin tuna
The price of bluefin tuna ranges from 1 thousand dollars to a record 8 thousand per kilogram. And all because it can be sold at auctions. One day, a whole carcass of bluefin tuna (more than 200 kg) went under the hammer for an unprecedented amount of $1.8 million. Its excellent red meat is prized by seafood lovers. Particularly popular in Japanese cuisine, considered ideal for making sushi.
Ordinary tuna is available to mere mortals, mostly in cans. Here are some recipes:
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Abalone shellfish (canned)
Canned food can also be elite. Those wishing to try Abalone shellfish will have to pay $250 per jar. In this container you will find three shellfish with a total weight of 500 g. Their tender and juicy meat can be consumed not only canned, but also raw.
Fugu fish
There are many gourmets who want to tickle their nerves. Those who order fugu fish in a restaurant will feel a short-term paralyzing effect of all limbs and a state similar to drug intoxication. This is the case if the cook prepares the “deadly” delicacy correctly, leaving only the smallest dose of poison. Otherwise, this will be the last supper for the daredevil. The challenge to fate will cost a hundred dollars.
The most expensive and rare fruits and vegetables
Grape variety "Roman ruby"
A unique variety of large-fruited grapes with the poetic name “Roman Ruby” was bred in 2008. This variety is grown in Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Each premium grape is the size of a table tennis ball. You can become a happy owner by purchasing a bunch at auction for $4000-5500, consisting of an average of 30 grapes. In this situation, the cost of each ruby grape will be from $100 to $200.
Yubari Melons
Juicy melons of this variety are grown in Japan on the island of Hokkaido. Their tender flesh is orange in color and amazes with its rich taste. This hybrid variety has a perfectly round shape. The best specimens are put up for auction, usually in pairs. So the price of these truly royal melons can reach $25,000 per pair.
Watermelon Densuke
Watermelons of the Densuke variety are very rare. And although they have juicy scarlet flesh, the distinctive feature of this variety is the black color of the fruit. Exquisite taste and unusual colors make Densuke an elite gift, original, but quite expensive. Since no more than 65 watermelons are harvested per harvest, the price of each is $6,000. They are grown on the same Japanese island as the royal Yubari melons.
Potatoes "La Bonnotte"
The elite potato variety “La Bonnotte” is grown on the lands of the island of Nurmoitiers, which belongs to France. There is a “potato” island in the Atlantic Ocean. A special variety with an extraordinary taste is obtained by fertilizing the soil with seaweed. A special technology is passed on from generation to generation. And tubers grown this way have a salty taste of the sea. A kilogram of such special potatoes can be purchased for $600.
The question is whether you will cook regular ones from it.
The most expensive soft drinks
Dahongpao tea
Fans of tea ceremonies were not forgotten either. For those of them who also have capital, the Dahongpao variety is grown. After all, drinking such tea is not a cheap pleasure. Six ancient bushes of this variety produce up to 500 g of tea leaves; only the very first young leaves are collected. Those who want to enjoy the taste and aroma of the ancient tea variety purchase it at auction. The price per kilogram can reach $700,000.
Kopi Luwak coffee
This coffee is unique not because of the type of beans, but rather because of its unusual “life path” that it goes through before going on sale. In Indonesia, the word "Kopi" means coffee, and "Luwak" is a small animal similar to a ferret or marten. Luwak loves to eat ripe coffee beans. But his body is designed in such a way that it cannot digest them. However, after passing through the animal’s intestines, the grains acquire an unprecedented and absolutely unique taste and aroma. Surprisingly, coffee brewed from these beans (washed, dried and roasted) is simply fantastic: with the aroma of honey, nougat and butter! It tastes so amazing. Coffee lovers do not hesitate to pay up to $700 for a kilogram of unusual coffee. Also, such coffee will be an excellent exotic gift brought from Indonesia.
Drinking water "Kona Nigari"
Enterprising Japanese created and launched luxury drinking water. The unprecedented price for such a product is simply stunning! What is the secret of the most expensive bottled water? This is desalinated water extracted from the ocean. It is considered an excellent addition to a healthy diet, having healing properties. Packaged in concentrated form. Once purchased, it must be diluted with plain water. There are two forms of release: a tiny bottle of 0.06 l. costs $33, and a five-liter bottle costs $2000. Despite this, demand significantly exceeds supply.
Other Most Expensive Foods in the World
White truffle
More common is the black truffle, presented on the menu of every self-respecting three-star restaurant. But the most expensive is the white truffle. It has a unique taste and exquisite aroma. This variety has an interesting color in cross section - it resembles a piece of marble. It is difficult to establish an exact price, because such truffles are sold at auctions. The highest price for one copy was paid in 2007 and amounted to $209,000.
Saffron
Even spices or herbs may turn out to be “not simple, but golden.” The price for saffron is truly prohibitive; it ranges from $6,000 to $11,000. But this is provided that we mean natural Indian saffron. Indeed, due to its great popularity, another type has become widespread - false. It is offered to customers under the name Imeretian saffron. And this is another name for the well-known marigolds. In India, true saffron is lilac flowers, the dried stamens of which are an exotic spice.
Moose cheese
An unusual type of cheese is produced in very limited quantities. It is made from elk milk on one of the farms in Sweden. Due to the fact that such milk can only be obtained at certain times of the year, the product is expensive and very rare. This type of cheese has a rich but very delicate taste with slightly salty notes. What about the price? For a kilogram of cheese pleasure you will have to pay $1000, or even $1500.
Argan oil
A rare and very healthy vegetable oil is made from argan fruits. Externally, argan resembles an olive tree. Its oil is a unique product used in cooking. The price is high due to the limited distribution area. Those who want to give their dishes a rich and rich taste should remember that the price of 1 liter of argan oil is $3,000.
Chocolate “Chocopologie by Knipschildt”
If you are a true chocoholic, are you willing to pay about $3,000 for your favorite dessert? This is exactly the price of haute couture chocolate. It and other elite sweets are produced in the USA by high-class chocolatiers. The products of the Cody House “Knipschildt Chocolatier” are a real work of art that meets the highest quality standards. All ingredients are natural, and therefore the shelf life is short. No need! After all, having the coveted pound of elite chocolate, would you think of storing it?!
Matsutake mushrooms
For those who are already fed up with truffles (and there are some!), we suggest trying matsutake mushrooms. This rare representative of the mushroom “family” is very popular among gourmets. Naturally from among those who can afford it. Because a kilogram of such mushrooms will cost $2000. They have a specific aroma - spicy and sweet at the same time. Matsutake is not only tasty, but also healthy, having a rich set of nutrients. The only annoying thing is that this mushroom cannot be cultivated. Therefore, it grows only in China and Japan on a special red pine tree.
Macadamia nuts
The most expensive nut is considered to be macadamia. Its high cost is due to the difficulty of collecting, because the height of the trees can reach 20 m. And also the difficulty of caring for the trees. The kernels of these nuts are tasty and very healthy, but their shells are extremely strong. Therefore, in order to extract them and try them, you will have to work hard. Macadamia trees native to Australia can bear fruit for up to a hundred years. A kilogram of such nuts costs from $30 and above.
Edible gold
Surprisingly, the most expensive product in the world is a dietary supplement! This is edible gold, officially labeled as E 175. Gold leaf is used to decorate elite dishes, desserts and drinks. It is harmless and, being an inert metal, gold leaves the body unchanged 24 hours after consumption. It is used for decoration, wanting to add chic and gloss to a social reception. The price corresponds - from 30 to 100 thousand dollars per 1 kg.
Maybe, having the opportunity to purchase all this, we would be tempted (at least) by a couple of items from the above list. And by combining some of them, we would get one of the most expensive dishes in the world. But even from simple products (absolutely not elite), but of good quality, you can prepare delicious and original dishes. And we are always happy to suggest you a suitable recipe!
P.S. : But I still want to try the haute couture chocolate...
There are not just expensive, but very expensive products in the world. Sometimes it’s difficult to understand why a kilogram of seemingly ordinary potatoes costs 20 thousand rubles, and a bag of tea, even more, costs tens of thousands of dollars. But it turns out there is an explanation for everything.
Saffron
The most expensive spice in the world is saffron. Real saffron is nothing more than the stamens of a plant of the crocus family (Crocus sativus). There is also false saffron, which is also called Imeretian. It is made from the stamens of marigold flowers. The price of a kilogram of real saffron can reach up to $6 thousand. This fabulous price of saffron is explained by the labor intensity of its cultivation and collection technology. To obtain 1 kg of dry saffron, you need to sort out approximately 2000 flowers. In the first year, only 6 kg of saffron can be harvested from 1 hectare of plantation; in the second year - up to 20 kg. Harvesting is carried out during the flowering period in sunny weather. The bright orange stigmas are hand-cut on the first day the flower opens and dried.
Caviar
If you think that the most expensive caviar in the world is black, you are deeply mistaken. The most prized caviar is the albino beluga caviar "Almas". This fish is found in the Caspian Sea off the coast of Iran. The eggs have different shades: from pale gray to white. The lighter the caviar, the more expensive it is. Almas caviar is exported from Iran and packaged in jars made of pure gold. 100 grams of such caviar cost about $2 thousand. This delicacy spoils very quickly, so it must be consumed immediately after purchase. Connoisseurs disagree on the world's most expensive caviar. Some believe that the pleasure from this rare product with a nutty flavor is incomparable, others say that apart from its beautiful light color, albino beluga caviar has no special advantages.
Potato
A seemingly banal potato can also be a delicacy if we are talking about the La Bonnotte variety. It grows on the French island of Nurmoitiers in the Atlantic Ocean. Potato fields are fertilized only with seaweed using a technology that is passed down from generation to generation. This variety is planted and harvested only by hand, and it costs about 500 euros per kilogram. The most expensive potato in the world, the La Bonnotte variety, tastes exceptionally delicate. According to legend, this divine tuber was bred by none other than the supreme god of the Incas, Viracocha. No more than 100 tons of potatoes of this variety are harvested annually.
Meat
The most expensive meat in the world is marbled beef. Its “suppliers” are Japanese cows of the Wagiu breed. The cost of a kilogram of meat reaches $1000. For many centuries, Wagiu cows were bred only in Japan, but now they are also raised in Australia. They are treated like royalty: they are fed with the best grass, rubbed with sake, and given beer to drink. Australian Wagiu meat is even more expensive due to the fact that the cows are fed red wine at $16 a bottle.
Coffee
The most expensive coffee in the world is made from beans that come out of the intestines of a civet cat, an animal of the civet genus. The variety is called “Kopi Luwak”, “Kopi” means “coffee” in Indonesian, and “Luwak” is the actual name of the animal. Coffee grows on the islands of Java, Sumatra and Sulawesi. The civet animal, to which we owe the most expensive coffee in the world, is a small predator, but it really likes ripe and aromatic coffee beans. Their civet eats much less than it can digest. At one time it was even considered a pest. But then it turned out that the animal’s digestive enzymes improve the taste of coffee, removing bitterness. Local residents collect coffee beans that are not digested by the civet, a kilogram of which costs $300-400.
Tea
The most expensive tea in the world is called Dahongpao - “Scarlet Robe” translated from Chinese. The tea owes its name to its color - when the buds swell, the tea bushes look as if they are dressed in red clothes. Dahongpao belongs to oolong teas - highly fermented teas with intense taste and aroma.
The most expensive tea in the world, Dahongpao, is obtained from the leaves of six bushes growing near the Tianxin Monastery. Their age is estimated at 350 years. No more than 0.5 kg of such tea is harvested per year, and even less - no more than 20 - goes on sale. In 2006, the entire harvest was transferred to the Chinese National Museum as an exhibit. Since then, there has been an official ban on collecting Dahongpao, and today no one can taste it. The price of the most expensive tea in the world, Dahongpao, at a time when the ban on its collection was not yet in effect, reached sky-high heights. In 2005, 20 g of tea was sold at auction for 208 thousand yuan (about $25 thousand).
Chocolate
The most expensive chocolate in the world is one produced by the Lebanese factory Patchi for sale in the British chain of stores Harrods - £5,000 per package. The package contains 49 chocolates, wrapped in handmade Indian silk, decorated with silk roses, Swarovski crystals and even gold. The box is also not simple: it is made of leather and silk, and the partitions in it are gold and platinum
Pizza
The most expensive pizza in the world is sold in the city of Agropoli in southern Italy for 8,300 euros. Two chefs come to the client’s home and prepare the pizza (everything except the base) in front of his eyes. The filling includes tuna caviar, lobster, lobster, buffalo mozzarella, red lobster, shrimp and lobster. All this is filled with Louis XIII Remy Martin cognac. Even the salt on pizza is not simple - Australian pink "Murray River".
Dessert
The most expensive dessert in the world can be tried in New York, at the Serendipity 3 restaurant - provided that you have $25 thousand for this pleasure. For this amount you will get ice cream with 25 varieties of cocoa, decorated with whipped cream and pieces of edible gold . You need to warn in advance about your desire to eat such a dessert. By the way, you can take dishes, a glass and a spoon with a gold border and diamonds with you.
Sandwich
The most expensive sandwich in the world is called the Von Essen Platinum Club Sandwich. It costs almost $200 and is sold in the Von Essen network. The sandwich includes Iberian ham, Bresse poulard, white truffles, quail eggs, dried Italian tomatoes and special bread.
Omelette
In the restaurant of the New York hotel Le Parker Meridien you can taste the most expensive omelet in the world. It costs a thousand dollars. In addition to eggs, whole lobsters are added to it. The dish is served on fried potatoes and garnished with stellate sturgeon caviar.
Salad
The most expensive salad in the world is called Florette Sea&Earth. It is served in the restaurant of the Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons hotel in Oxford. The salad's ingredients include white beluga caviar "Almas", lobsters, Cornish crab and lobster. Grated truffles, asparagus, potatoes and young lettuce are also added there, and everything is decorated with gold foil. Chef Raymond Le Blanc's signature dish costs £635.
Nut
The most expensive nut in the world is macadamia. It used to form a significant part of the diet of Australian Aborigines, but has now become a delicacy. The scientist who first described this type of nut named them in honor of his friend, John Macadam, MD, chemist. These nuts are also called mullimbimby, boomera, and quindal-kindal. Macadamia nuts taste like hazelnuts.
There are nine species of macadamia, five of which grow only in Australia. Two species are cultivated. There are plantations in Australia, Brazil, South Africa, Hawaii and the southern United States. The height of the tree reaches 40 m, it bears fruit for up to 100 years. Because macadamia kernels are difficult to separate from the shell, these nuts are quite expensive and are less widely grown than black caviar.
Macadamia nuts are high in calories and rich in valuable nutrients. It removes cholesterol from the body well. Macadamia oil is a valuable cosmetic product. It is easily absorbed into the skin, softens, nourishes and moisturizes it, and also helps with sunburn.
They produce no more than 40 tons of delicacy per year. The cost of a kilogram of macadamia, even in the “historical homeland” of the nut, exceeds $30.