What Is the Meaning of Exotic Food?

Exotic foods are foods that a person is unfamiliar with.

Exotic food is food that a person finds strange and/or unfamiliar. Exotic food can be unusual types of meats, fruits, vegetables or spices or it can be the way that the food is prepared.

1 Exotic Meats

In the United States, buffalo, ostrich, wild boar, snake, alligator, elk and venison are all considered exotic types of meat. While these foods are available for people to purchase in some areas, they are not commonly found in restaurants or grocery stores.

2 Exotic Fruit

Fruits that are not found in a particular region can be considered exotic fruit. An example of an exotic fruit is the finger banana that is native to southeast Asia.

3 Exotic Vegetables

Vegetables that are not found in a particular region can be considered exotic vegetables. An example of an exotic vegetable is bok choy. It is native to China and eastern Asia.

4 Other Exotic Ingredients

Spices such as ras el hanout are considered exotic spices. Ras el hanout is a blend of herbs and spices common in Middle Eastern and West African cuisine.

5 Exotic Preparation

Foods that are prepared differently can be considered exotic to those who are unfamiliar with the way it is prepared. Sushi is an example of an exotic food. While fish is a common food in the United States, eating raw fish is uncommon, making sushi exotic.

Fred Flanders began writing professionally in 2009. His articles have appeared in a number of online publications. Flanders earned a Bachelor of Arts in literature from a respected Pacific 12 University.

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