The matsutake, or mattake, mushroom is expensive because of its rarity. While its historical prevalence meant it was nearly synonymous with autumn in Japan, the introduction of an insect that kills the trees under which the mushroom grows has caused a dramatic decrease in the number of matsutake mushrooms. A method for farming the matsutake has yet to be developed, which means the lack of trees from which to harvest these mushrooms naturally is a serious problem for the species. This is a highly coveted mycorrhizal mushroom that can be found in Asia, North America and Europe, particularly in Japan, China, Korea, the United States, Canada, Finland and Sweden.
Price : $1,000 per pound
9. Westin Hotel Bagel
The most expensive bagel in the world is topped with white truffle cream cheese and goji berry infused Riesling jelly with golden leaves. The bagel’s price is justified when you consider that white truffles happen to be the second most expensive food by weight, eclipsed only by caviar. The underground fungus grows only under specific oak trees in Alba, Italy.
Price : $1,000
8. Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata
Eggs, lobster and mountains of caviar... are the contents of the world's most expensive omelette? it is featured on the menu at Norma’s restaurant in Manhattan's Le Parker Meridien Hotel.
Price : $1,000
7. Craftsteak’s Wagyu Ribeye Steak
Wagyu beef is a sought-after item because of its high percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Its genetic predisposition also allows it to have an acceptable ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fats. The best of the lot is the one from Kobe, raised in the prefecture of Hyogo in Japan. The cows raised here are fed with beer and are massaged regularly to ensure tenderness. A full Wagyu ribeye in Craftsteak in New York was once served for $2,800. The restaurant is now closed, however, and replaced with Colicchio & Sons.
Price : $2,800
6. Bombay Brassiere’s Samundari Khazana Curry
Bombay Brassiere has packed this platter full of the most expensive ingredients they could find. Devon crab and white truffle and a half tomato filled with Beluga caviar and dressed with gold leaf are just the start of this lavish dish. A Scottish lobster, also coated with gold, four abalone and four shelled and hollowed quails’ eggs filled with even more caviar round out the dish.
Price : $3,200
5. Domenico Crolla’s Pizza Royale 007
Domenico Crolla is a Scottish chef known for putting portraits into his pizza creations. He decided to create the Pizza Royale 007, though the producers of the James Bond films did not commission it. It was a 12-inch pie, filled with lobsters marinated in cognac, caviar soaked in champagne, tomato sauce, Scottish smoked salmon, prosciutto, venison medallions, and vintage balsamic vinegar. To top it all, there are 24-carat gold flakes. They are not to be taken home, however, as they are edible.
Price : $4,200
4. Densuke Black Watermelon
Black watermelons are rare items, especially the Densuke variety that is only grown in the island of Hokkaido in Japan. A harvest will typically yield only a few dozen fruits. What makes it special, aside from its rarity? Its hardness and crispness are just perfect, plus, the level of sweetness is just incomparable.
Price : $6,100
3.Yubari King Melons
Yubari is to melons what Kobe is to beef. The Japanese city has become famous for a particularly tasty melon cultivar that’s a cross between two cantaloupe varieties. Known as the Yubari King, this orange-fleshed melon is prized for its juicy sweetness as well as its beautiful proportions. Yubari King melons are often sold in perfectly matched pairs and are a highly prized gift sure to impress a host or employer. These items are so in demand that auctions are actually conducted for its purchase. In 2008, over 100 melon fruits from Yubari were on the block. The most perfect of all was the first item put on sale. A businessman who owns a souvenir shop and seafood lunch restaurant made a bid of nearly $23,000 for the honor and privilege of taking home that particular fruit.
Price : $23,000
2. Almas Caviar
Caviars are already expensive to begin with, but the rarity of this item makes it even more expensive. Almas is one of those items that are not for sale just anywhere. To acquire it, you need to go to one of the few select Caviar House & Prunier stores, As a matter of fact, even finding a store that sells it is like looking for a needle in the haystack. The only store known to carry this item is the Caviar House & Prunier located in Picadilly in London.
Price : $25,000
1. Italian White Alba Truffle
Truffles are expensive items, but none as dear as the Italian white alba version. These items have become difficult to cultivate, thus explaining the exorbitant price. A huge white alba truffle that came in at around 1.51 kilograms was once sold for over $160,000. A retail investor from Hong Kong and his wife brought home the truffle.
Price : $110,000 per Kg
