53 Must-Have Ingredients for a Global Kitchen

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).

 

Sweet-sticky mellowed allium

Jarringly stinky resin makes curries sublime

Now starring in Asian stores

For red-hued Yucatán spice rubs

Like the Euro kind, but sustainable

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

Zingy Calabrian salami paste

Tart-sweet Mid-East staple, astringent bite

Lovely, toasty, fragrant curry component

SE Asian street-food texture

Toasted manioc flour, kind of like breadcrumbs

Petite-sized, feel fancy

The Lamborghini of Spanish ham

Creamy pineapple-banana-coconut–flavored fruit

Vinegar-marinated tapa

Best, most fragrant lemon zest

Your classier lima bean

Like candied, still-crisp red bell peppers

Slurpy, chewy, easy

Because we all need more naan

The Maserati of almonds

South-of-the-border crème fraîche

Wheatberry-like whole grain with Etruscan cred

No-fat bacony flavor agent

Indonesian soy syrup, instant sweet glaze

The Marcona of olives

Crumbly raw, fatty, superspiced sausage

The couscous of whole grains

Big flavor, healthy fats

Because allspice is an underappreciated flavor

Like a kick-butt maple sugar

Supertangy fruit paste

Pungent salty umami

Fast-cooking noodle, strong grainy taste

Aromatic Thai essential

Versatile, nutty spread

Try a new shape every week

Take-no-prisoners smokiness, with fire

Nicer, more nuanced flavor

Heavy cream, from a tree

Ketchup with cojones

The best beats all other vinegars

Like masa from heaven

Instant complexity in rub or sauce

Because yogurt should always have been this tangy

Fragrant, cooks up nonsticky

Add frozen veggies: instant curry

Fava pleasures, much cheaper

Whole grains, very quickly

Sautés up somethin’ nice

Firm cured sausage, smoky, tangy

Hand-sprinkle for fun crunch

Instant, vibrant chile heat