53 Must-Have Ingredients for a Global Kitchen

October 01, 2012

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Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

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

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The World's Your Oyster

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

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).

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Exotic Find: Black Garlic

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Sweet-sticky mellowed allium

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Exotic Find: Asafoetida

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Jarringly stinky resin makes curries sublime

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Exotic Find: Fresh Supermarket Ramen

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Now starring in Asian stores

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Exotic Find: Achiote Paste

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

For red-hued Yucatán spice rubs

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Exotic Find: Jarred Wild Albacore Tuna

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like the Euro kind, but sustainable

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Exotic Find: Fermented Tofu

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

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

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Exotic Find: Nduja

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Zingy Calabrian salami paste

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Exotic Find: Pomegranate Molasses

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Tart-sweet Mid-East staple, astringent bite

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Exotic Find: Curry Leaves

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Lovely, toasty, fragrant curry component

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Exotic Find: Broken Rice

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

SE Asian street-food texture

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Exotic Find: Farofa

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Toasted manioc flour, kind of like breadcrumbs

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Exotic Find: Quail Eggs

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Petite-sized, feel fancy

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Exotic Find: Iberico Ham

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

The Lamborghini of Spanish ham

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Exotic Find: Cherimoya

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Creamy pineapple-banana-coconut–flavored fruit

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Exotic Find: White Anchovies (Boquerones)

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Vinegar-marinated tapa

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Exotic Find: Buddha's Hand

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Best, most fragrant lemon zest

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Rising Stars: Fresh Fava Beans

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Your classier lima bean

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Rising Stars: Peppadew Peppers

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like candied, still-crisp red bell peppers

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Rising Stars: Fresh Chinese Egg Noodles

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Slurpy, chewy, easy

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Rising Stars: Frozen Indian Breads

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Because we all need more naan

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Rising Stars: Marcona Almonds

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

The Maserati of almonds

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Rising Stars: Mexican Crema

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

South-of-the-border crème fraîche

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Rising Stars: Farro

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Wheatberry-like whole grain with Etruscan cred

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Rising Stars: Smoked Paprika

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

No-fat bacony flavor agent

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Rising Stars: ABC Sauce

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Indonesian soy syrup, instant sweet glaze

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Rising Stars: Castelvetrano Olives

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

The Marcona of olives

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Rising Stars: Mexican Chorizo

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Crumbly raw, fatty, superspiced sausage

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Rising Stars: Bulgur

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

The couscous of whole grains

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Rising Stars: Pecan, Avocado, and Pistachio Oil

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Big flavor, healthy fats

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Rising Stars: Jerk Rubs

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Because allspice is an underappreciated flavor

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Rising Stars: Dark Palm Sugar

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like a kick-butt maple sugar

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Rising Stars: Tamarind

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Supertangy fruit paste

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Rising Stars: Fish Sauce

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Pungent salty umami

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Rising Stars: Soba

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Fast-cooking noodle, strong grainy taste

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Rising Stars: Lime Leaves

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Aromatic Thai essential

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New Staples: Hummus

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Versatile, nutty spread

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New Staples: Italian Rustic Dried Pastas

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Try a new shape every week

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New Staples: Chipotle Peppers

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Take-no-prisoners smokiness, with fire

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New Staples: Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Nicer, more nuanced flavor

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New Staples: Coconut Milk

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Heavy cream, from a tree

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New Staples: Sriracha

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Ketchup with cojones

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New Staples: Sherry Vinegar

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

The best beats all other vinegars

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New Staples: Fresh Corn Tortillas

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like masa from heaven

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New Staples: Thai Curry Pastes

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Instant complexity in rub or sauce

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New Staples: Greek Yogurt

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Because yogurt should always have been this tangy

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New Staples: Basmati Rice

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Fragrant, cooks up nonsticky

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New Staples: Indian Simmering Sauces

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Add frozen veggies: instant curry

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New Staples: Shelled Frozen Edamame

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Fava pleasures, much cheaper

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New Staples: Quinoa

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Whole grains, very quickly

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New Staples: Firm Tofu

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Sautés up somethin’ nice

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New Staples: Spanish Chorizo

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Firm cured sausage, smoky, tangy

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New Staples: Sea Salt

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Hand-sprinkle for fun crunch

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New Staples: Sambal

Credit: Photo: Brian Woodcock

Instant, vibrant chile heat

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53 Must-Have Ingredients for a Global Kitchen

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The World's Your Oyster

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Exotic Find: Black Garlic

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Exotic Find: Asafoetida

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Exotic Find: Fresh Supermarket Ramen

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Exotic Find: Achiote Paste

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Exotic Find: Jarred Wild Albacore Tuna

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Exotic Find: Fermented Tofu

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Exotic Find: Nduja

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Exotic Find: Pomegranate Molasses

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Exotic Find: Curry Leaves

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Exotic Find: Broken Rice

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Exotic Find: Farofa

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Exotic Find: Quail Eggs

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Exotic Find: Iberico Ham

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Exotic Find: Cherimoya

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Exotic Find: White Anchovies (Boquerones)

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Exotic Find: Buddha's Hand

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Rising Stars: Fresh Fava Beans

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Rising Stars: Peppadew Peppers

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Rising Stars: Fresh Chinese Egg Noodles

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Rising Stars: Frozen Indian Breads

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Rising Stars: Marcona Almonds

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Rising Stars: Mexican Crema

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Rising Stars: Farro

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Rising Stars: Smoked Paprika

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Rising Stars: ABC Sauce