The 10 most expensive foods in the world

Food prices vary depending on scarcity, seasonality, supply and demand, and where it comes from. We have selected 10 foods generally considered to be the most expensive:

Genuine and traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena, Italy, is aged for many years and is considered a precious and delicious condiment. Being an artisanal product with a long aging process, a quality bottle can reach 200 dollars ... and more.

It can only be found on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. It is a watermelon that has a characteristic reddish-pink color inside. Only 10,000 can be tasted each year. It is considered one of the best fruits that one can taste. In Japan, it is given as a gift to people with high purchasing power as a symbol of respect and can cost up to $300 per unit.

This coffee originates from Indonesia and is made from coffee beans eaten, digested, and excreted by a palm civet. The exclusive animal manufacturing process gives it a unique flavor, making it one of the most expensive coffees in the world. Its price can reach between $50 and $250 per pound.

They are animals raised according to the tradition of Hyōgo Prefecture (Japan). The breed is exclusively Japanese, and the meat is considered a delicacy, famous for its taste, spots, and marbled texture. The oxen are raised with specific methods, which makes the meat very expensive, from $250 to $300 per pound, or even more depending on the quality and cut.

Pule cheese is traditionally made in Serbia, north of Belgrade, in the Zasavica Nature Reserve. This cheese uses donkey milk from the Balkans as raw material. It is made entirely by hand and has a smoky flavor. It takes about 3.43 gallons of milk to make one pound of Pule cheese, which costs about $187 per gallon. So the final price can reach $640 per pound.

Their origin is Japanese, although they can also be found in other countries. Elos grow at the foot of the pine trees and, the stronger the aroma, the better the quality and the higher the price, which is around $900 per pound, if they are native to Japan. They are challenging to harvest, and their consumption is associated with longevity. The trees that produce this fungus were decimated a few years ago by an insect infestation, which caused an absurd increase in price.

Yubari King melons are produced in Japan, in greenhouses, and obtained through an accurate crossing of fruit. The most valued come from the city of Yubari, Hokkaido. They are famous for their sweetness and juicy texture. In 2013 the first King Yubari melons were sold for $2,500 per pound, although it is rumored they could reach $3,500 per pound.

The white truffle is the white diamond of gourmet cuisine, a sign of haute cuisine. It is tough to find because it grows deep underground and requires pigs or trained dogs to detect its unique scent. White truffles, especially the Alba variety, are highly appreciated and can reach exorbitant market prices: $2,500 to $3,000 per pound.

Saffron is the most expensive spice in the world due to the manual harvesting of the stigmas of saffron flowers. It is also known as red gold; each flower has only three pistils that will become the saffron we know when dried. The price can vary considerably depending on the quality and origin, but usually, it is between $2,500 and $5,000 per pound.

Don't confuse real saffron with turmeric, which is often referred to as ground saffron.

Caviar is a delicate and luxurious delicacy that often comes with very high prices. Its price depends on the variety and origin; wild sturgeon caviar can cost between $1,000 and $5,000 per pound, or even more.

The caviar considered the most expensive in the world comes from the Beluga sturgeon but with the particularity of being an albino sturgeon found only in the Caspian Sea. Their eggs are characterized by a color very similar to that of gold. They are sold in 24-karat gold cans, costing between $7,500 and $12,500 per pound.