Global Kitchen Ingredients

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

1 of 55

The World's Your Oyster

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).

2 of 55

Exotic Find: Black Garlic

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Sweet-sticky mellowed allium

3 of 55

Exotic Find: Asafoetida

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Jarringly stinky resin makes curries sublime

4 of 55

Exotic Find: Fresh Supermarket Ramen

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Now starring in Asian stores

5 of 55

Exotic Find: Achiote Paste

Photo: Brian Woodcock

For red-hued Yucatán spice rubs

6 of 55

Exotic Find: Jarred Wild Albacore Tuna

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like the Euro kind, but sustainable

7 of 55

Exotic Find: Fermented Tofu

Photo: Brian Woodcock

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

8 of 55

Exotic Find: Nduja

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Zingy Calabrian salami paste

9 of 55

Exotic Find: Pomegranate Molasses

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Tart-sweet Mid-East staple, astringent bite

10 of 55

Exotic Find: Curry Leaves

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Lovely, toasty, fragrant curry component

11 of 55

Exotic Find: Broken Rice

Photo: Brian Woodcock

SE Asian street-food texture

12 of 55

Exotic Find: Farofa

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Toasted manioc flour, kind of like breadcrumbs

13 of 55

Exotic Find: Quail Eggs

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Petite-sized, feel fancy

14 of 55

Exotic Find: Iberico Ham

Photo: Brian Woodcock

The Lamborghini of Spanish ham

15 of 55

Exotic Find: Cherimoya

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Creamy pineapple-banana-coconut–flavored fruit

16 of 55

Exotic Find: White Anchovies (Boquerones)

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Vinegar-marinated tapa

17 of 55

Exotic Find: Buddha's Hand

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Best, most fragrant lemon zest

18 of 55

Rising Stars: Fresh Fava Beans

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Your classier lima bean

19 of 55

Rising Stars: Peppadew Peppers

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like candied, still-crisp red bell peppers

20 of 55

Rising Stars: Fresh Chinese Egg Noodles

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Slurpy, chewy, easy

21 of 55

Rising Stars: Frozen Indian Breads

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Because we all need more naan

22 of 55

Rising Stars: Marcona Almonds

Photo: Brian Woodcock

The Maserati of almonds

23 of 55

Rising Stars: Mexican Crema

Photo: Brian Woodcock

South-of-the-border crème fraîche

24 of 55

Rising Stars: Farro

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Wheatberry-like whole grain with Etruscan cred

25 of 55

Rising Stars: Smoked Paprika

Photo: Brian Woodcock

No-fat bacony flavor agent

26 of 55

Rising Stars: ABC Sauce

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Indonesian soy syrup, instant sweet glaze

27 of 55

Rising Stars: Castelvetrano Olives

Photo: Brian Woodcock

The Marcona of olives

28 of 55

Rising Stars: Mexican Chorizo

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Crumbly raw, fatty, superspiced sausage

29 of 55

Rising Stars: Bulgur

Photo: Brian Woodcock

The couscous of whole grains

30 of 55

Rising Stars: Pecan, Avocado, and Pistachio Oil

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Big flavor, healthy fats

31 of 55

Rising Stars: Jerk Rubs

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Because allspice is an underappreciated flavor

32 of 55

Rising Stars: Dark Palm Sugar

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like a kick-butt maple sugar

33 of 55

Rising Stars: Tamarind

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Supertangy fruit paste

34 of 55

Rising Stars: Fish Sauce

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Pungent salty umami

35 of 55

Rising Stars: Soba

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Fast-cooking noodle, strong grainy taste

36 of 55

Rising Stars: Lime Leaves

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Aromatic Thai essential

37 of 55

New Staples: Hummus

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Versatile, nutty spread

38 of 55

New Staples: Italian Rustic Dried Pastas

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Try a new shape every week

39 of 55

New Staples: Chipotle Peppers

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Take-no-prisoners smokiness, with fire

40 of 55

New Staples: Lower-Sodium Soy Sauce

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Nicer, more nuanced flavor

41 of 55

New Staples: Coconut Milk

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Heavy cream, from a tree

42 of 55

New Staples: Sriracha

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Ketchup with cojones

43 of 55

New Staples: Sherry Vinegar

Photo: Brian Woodcock

The best beats all other vinegars

44 of 55

New Staples: Fresh Corn Tortillas

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Like masa from heaven

45 of 55

New Staples: Thai Curry Pastes

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Instant complexity in rub or sauce

46 of 55

New Staples: Greek Yogurt

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Because yogurt should always have been this tangy

47 of 55

New Staples: Basmati Rice

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Fragrant, cooks up nonsticky

48 of 55

New Staples: Indian Simmering Sauces

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Add frozen veggies: instant curry

49 of 55

New Staples: Shelled Frozen Edamame

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Fava pleasures, much cheaper

50 of 55

New Staples: Quinoa

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Whole grains, very quickly

51 of 55

New Staples: Firm Tofu

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Sautés up somethin’ nice

52 of 55

New Staples: Spanish Chorizo

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Firm cured sausage, smoky, tangy

53 of 55

New Staples: Sea Salt

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Hand-sprinkle for fun crunch

54 of 55

New Staples: Sambal

Photo: Brian Woodcock

Instant, vibrant chile heat

Replay gallery

Account

53 Must-Have Ingredients for a Global Kitchen

1 of 55

The World's Your Oyster

2 of 55

Exotic Find: Black Garlic

3 of 55

Exotic Find: Asafoetida

4 of 55

Exotic Find: Fresh Supermarket Ramen

5 of 55

Exotic Find: Achiote Paste

6 of 55

Exotic Find: Jarred Wild Albacore Tuna

7 of 55

Exotic Find: Fermented Tofu

8 of 55

Exotic Find: Nduja

9 of 55

Exotic Find: Pomegranate Molasses

10 of 55

Exotic Find: Curry Leaves

11 of 55

Exotic Find: Broken Rice

12 of 55

Exotic Find: Farofa

13 of 55

Exotic Find: Quail Eggs

14 of 55

Exotic Find: Iberico Ham

15 of 55

Exotic Find: Cherimoya

16 of 55

Exotic Find: White Anchovies (Boquerones)

17 of 55

Exotic Find: Buddha's Hand

18 of 55

Rising Stars: Fresh Fava Beans

19 of 55

Rising Stars: Peppadew Peppers

20 of 55

Rising Stars: Fresh Chinese Egg Noodles

21 of 55

Rising Stars: Frozen Indian Breads

22 of 55

Rising Stars: Marcona Almonds

23 of 55

Rising Stars: Mexican Crema

24 of 55

Rising Stars: Farro

25 of 55

Rising Stars: Smoked Paprika

26 of 55

Rising Stars: ABC Sauce

27 of 55

Rising Stars: Castelvetrano Olives

28 of 55

Rising Stars: Mexican Chorizo

29 of 55

Rising Stars: Bulgur

30 of 55

Rising Stars: Pecan, Avocado, and Pistachio Oil

31 of 55

Rising Stars: Jerk Rubs

32 of 55

Rising Stars: Dark Palm Sugar

33 of 55

Rising Stars: Tamarind

34 of 55

Rising Stars: Fish Sauce

35 of 55

Rising Stars: Soba

36 of 55

Rising Stars: Lime Leaves

37 of 55

New Staples: Hummus

38 of 55

New Staples: Italian Rustic Dried Pastas

39 of 55

New Staples: Chipotle Peppers