53 Must-Have Ingredients for a Global Kitchen

Foods and flavors from the global supermarket that every adventurous healthy cook should track down.

The World's Your Oyster

Photo: Brian Woodcock

The World's Your Oyster

Centuries ago, early traders would cross perilous waters for the chance to feast on exotic spices, fruits, and foods from far-away lands. In modern times, we are lucky to be able to find these ingredients at ethic markets, specialty stores, and even the plain old grocery store just a few miles from our homes.

From the enticingly exotic, to the new cultural staples, here’s a list of products every home cook should know about (no boat required).

 

Exotic Find: Black Garlic

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Black Garlic

Sweet-sticky mellowed allium

Asafoetida

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Asafoetida

Jarringly stinky resin makes curries sublime

Fresh Supermarket Ramen

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Fresh Supermarket Ramen

Now starring in Asian stores

Achiote Paste

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Achiote Paste

For red-hued Yucatán spice rubs

Jarred Wild Albacore Tuna

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Jarred Wild Albacore Tuna

Like the Euro kind, but sustainable

Fermented Tofu

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Fermented Tofu

Because there has to be one food that only a daredevil will eat

Nduja

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Nduja

Zingy Calabrian salami paste

Pomegranate Molasses

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Pomegranate Molasses

Tart-sweet Mid-East staple, astringent bite

Curry Leaves

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Curry Leaves

Lovely, toasty, fragrant curry component

Broken Rice

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Broken Rice

SE Asian street-food texture

Farofa

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Farofa

Toasted manioc flour, kind of like breadcrumbs

Quail Eggs

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Quail Eggs

Petite-sized, feel fancy

Iberico Ham

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Iberico Ham

The Lamborghini of Spanish ham

Cherimoya

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Cherimoya

Creamy pineapple-banana-coconut–flavored fruit

White Anchovies (Boquerones)

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: White Anchovies (Boquerones)

Vinegar-marinated tapa

Buddha's Hand

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Exotic Find: Buddha's Hand

Best, most fragrant lemon zest

Fresh Fava Beans

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Fresh Fava Beans

Your classier lima bean

Peppadew Peppers

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Peppadew Peppers

Like candied, still-crisp red bell peppers

Fresh Chinese Egg Noodles

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Fresh Chinese Egg Noodles

Slurpy, chewy, easy

Frozen Indian Breads

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Frozen Indian Breads

Because we all need more naan

Marcona Almonds

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Marcona Almonds

The Maserati of almonds

Mexican Crema

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Mexican Crema

South-of-the-border crème fraîche

Farro

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Farro

Wheatberry-like whole grain with Etruscan cred

Smoked Paprika

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Smoked Paprika

No-fat bacony flavor agent

ABC Sauce

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: ABC Sauce

Indonesian soy syrup, instant sweet glaze

Castelvetrano Olives

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Castelvetrano Olives

The Marcona of olives

Mexican Chorizo

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Mexican Chorizo

Crumbly raw, fatty, superspiced sausage

Bulgur

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Bulgur

The couscous of whole grains

Pecan, Avocado, and Pistachio Oil

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Pecan, Avocado, and Pistachio Oil

Big flavor, healthy fats

Jerk Rubs

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Jerk Rubs

Because allspice is an underappreciated flavor

Dark Palm Sugar

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Dark Palm Sugar

Like a kick-butt maple sugar

Tamarind

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Tamarind

Supertangy fruit paste

Fish Sauce

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Fish Sauce

Pungent salty umami

Soba

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Soba

Fast-cooking noodle, strong grainy taste

Lime Leaves

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Rising Stars: Lime Leaves

Aromatic Thai essential

Hummus

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Hummus

Versatile, nutty spread

Italian Rustic Dried Pastas

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Italian Rustic Dried Pastas

Try a new shape every week

Chipotle Peppers

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Chipotle Peppers

Take-no-prisoners smokiness, with fire

Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

Nicer, more nuanced flavor

Coconut Milk

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Coconut Milk

Heavy cream, from a tree

Sriracha

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Sriracha

Ketchup with cojones

Sherry Vinegar

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Sherry Vinegar

The best beats all other vinegars

Fresh Corn Tortillas

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Fresh Corn Tortillas

Like masa from heaven

Thai Curry Pastes

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Thai Curry Pastes

Instant complexity in rub or sauce

Greek Yogurt

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Greek Yogurt

Because yogurt should always have been this tangy

Basmati Rice

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Basmati Rice

Fragrant, cooks up nonsticky

Indian Simmering Sauces

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Indian Simmering Sauces

Add frozen veggies: instant curry

Shelled Frozen Edamame

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Shelled Frozen Edamame

Fava pleasures, much cheaper

Quinoa

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Quinoa

Whole grains, very quickly

Firm Tofu

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Firm Tofu

Sautés up somethin’ nice

Spanish Chorizo

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Spanish Chorizo

Firm cured sausage, smoky, tangy

Sea Salt

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Sea Salt

Hand-sprinkle for fun crunch

Sambal

Photo: Brian Woodcock

New Staples: Sambal

Instant, vibrant chile heat

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