The 10 Most Expensive Ingredients in the World

Sometimes it hurts to pay a few pesos for a good meal, but how much are a few pesos really? There are spices, dishes, breakfasts, fruits, fish, or tubers that most of us couldn't include in our selection due to financial reasons. Here are some of the most expensive ingredients on the planet, along with a bit of their history. Caviar Almas There are people who are on a four-year waiting list to obtain this delicate ingredient from the albino beluga sturgeon from the Caspian Sea. The caviar Almas (which means diamond in Russian) has a pale and light color compared to the black caviar we have seen, and experts say its flavor takes you straight to heaven. Price: 240,000 to 444,000 pesos per kilo. White Truffles from Alba Originating from Piedmont, in northern Italy, and Croatia, these precious mushrooms grow among the roots of certain tree species and their cultivation is extremely complicated. Specially trained hunting dogs locate the truffles, which are also said to have high aphrodisiac powers. Among all types of truffles, the white is the most prized for its exquisite aroma and intense flavor. Price: 39,000 to 121,000 pesos per kilo Saffron Undoubtedly the most expensive spice in the world. It consists of the pistils of a flower called Crocus sativus that is hand-harvested by delicately cutting each one for the consumption and seasoning of exquisite dishes such as curries, rice, or fish. Price: 32,000 to 50,000 pesos per kilo Coffee Kopi Lukak The process that the beans of this coffee go through is so strange that it has become a trend in Asia, where people who consume it pay exorbitant amounts for a cup. It is produced in Indonesia, and its particular characteristic is that the coffee beans are eaten by a small feline species (similar to a cat) called Kopi Lukak, whose gastric juices create an enzymatic process in the beans that are then collected from its feces, giving it this special and complex flavor that is so in demand. Price: 3,500 to 17,200 pesos per kilo Matsutake Mushrooms Once again, Japanese origin products surprise us. They are harvested in September and grow at the foot of pine trees, feeding on the forest floor and dry leaves. They are very difficult to harvest, with less than a thousand tons produced worldwide each year. The more penetrating their aroma, the better their quality. Price: 15,000 to 22,100 pesos per kilo Bluefin Tuna Due to its meat, tender texture, and unique, intense flavor, this species is one of the favorites among raw fish consumers. It is endangered, and Japanese market auctions fight over the kilos of this precious marine animal. Earlier this year, the most expensive bluefin tuna in the world was sold in Tokyo for 1.76 million dollars with a weight of 222 kilograms. Price: 43,000 to 98,800 pesos per kilo Pufferfish Eating pufferfish is practically putting our life at risk due to the species' high toxicity. However, connoisseurs say it is one of the most exquisite flavors on the planet. One must be a true expert to cut this delicacy without slicing the organs, where the poison capable of killing more than a dozen people resides. In Japan, it is known as Fugu, and tasting it is a whole tradition. Price: 900 to 1,300 pesos for a tiny portion Potato Bonnotte This potato species only grows in 50 square meters on the entire planet, in a region of France. The seaweed penetration into the soil makes the tuber take on a marine and salty flavor, turning it into an ocean vegetable. Harvesting is done by hand as they are too fragile and are only harvested one week a year. Price: 7,000 to 10,000 pesos per kilo Yubari Melon Some say that melons are gold in Japan. The city of Yubari in Japan is where they cultivate this hybrid fruit of two melon varieties. As a requirement, it must have been pollinated exclusively by bees, and they say that tasting it will make anyone happy. They are usually sold in pairs, their proportions are perfect, and their flesh is extremely juicy. Price: 5,000 to 93,000 pesos each Moose Milk Cheese This exclusive product from a farm in Sweden called ‘Moose House’ raises moose and milks them only between May and September, taking more than two hours to milk each female. Its production is very limited, which is why its price is so high. The flavor and benefits of this cheese affirm that those who eat it are extraordinary. Price: 10,000 to 14,300 pesos per kilo View original article