100 Foods That Start with the Letter A (With Images)

When I started listing foods that begin with the letter A, I had no idea I’d discover so many delicious and unique options! From everyday favorites to exotic finds, this list of 100 foods that start with A is packed with tasty surprises. Whether you’re a foodie, a trivia lover, or just looking for inspiration, I think you’ll enjoy exploring them as much as I did. Let’s dive in—and don’t forget to share it with your fellow food fans!

1. Acai berry:

2. Acorn squash:

3. Aioli

4. Ajiaco (Colombian chicken soup)

5. Ajo Blanco (Spanish garlic soup)

6. Ajvar (Balkan red pepper relish)

7. Akara (African bean fritters)

8. Akki roti (Indian rice bread)

9. Al pastor (Mexican pork dish)

10. Albacore tuna

11. Ale

12. Aleppo pepper

13. Alfajores (Latin American cookies)

14. Alfalfa sprouts

15. Alheira (Portuguese sausage)

16. Aligot (French mashed potatoes with cheese)

17. All-dressed pizza

18. Aam Panna

19. Allspice

20. Almond

21. Almond butter

22. Almond milk

23. Aloo gobi (potato and cauliflower dish)

24. Aloo matar (potato and pea curry)

25. Aloo paratha (Indian potato-stuffed bread)

Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
Acai berry	Fruit	Brazil	Smoothies, bowls	Earthy, slightly tart	Yes	Rich in antioxidants, often called a “superfruit.”
Acorn squash	Vegetable	North America	Roasted, stuffed, soups	Nutty, slightly sweet	Yes	It’s actually a fruit but used as a vegetable.
Aioli	Sauce	France/Spain	Dip, sandwich spread	Garlicky, creamy	No	Traditional aioli is made only with garlic and olive oil.
Ajiaco	Soup	Colombia	Main dish	Savory, hearty	No	Uses three types of potatoes for unique texture.
Ajo Blanco	Soup	Spain	Cold appetizer	Garlicky, nutty	Yes	Often referred to as “white gazpacho.”
Ajvar	Relish	Balkans	Spread or condiment	Smoky, tangy	Yes	Made from roasted red peppers and eggplant.
Akara	Fritter	West Africa	Breakfast or snack	Savory, crispy	Yes	Made from black-eyed peas.
Akki roti	Bread	India (Karnataka)	Breakfast or lunch	Savory, mildly spiced	Yes	Made with rice flour and vegetables.
Al pastor	Meat dish	Mexico	Tacos, wraps	Spicy, tangy	No	Inspired by shawarma from Lebanese immigrants.
Albacore tuna	Fish	Global oceans	Grilled, canned, sushi	Mild, firm	No	It’s the only tuna allowed to be called “white meat tuna” in the U.S.
Ale	Beverage	United Kingdom	Drinking	Fruity, bitter	No	Fermented with top-fermenting yeast at warm temps.
Aleppo pepper	Spice	Syria	Seasoning	Moderately hot, fruity	Yes	Often used in Middle Eastern dishes.
Alfajores	Cookie	Latin America	Dessert	Sweet, creamy	No	Filled with dulce de leche and often coated in coconut.
Alfalfa sprouts	Sprout	South Asia	Salads, sandwiches	Mild, grassy	Yes	High in nutrients but low in calories.
Alheira	Sausage	Portugal	Fried or grilled	Smoky, garlicky	No	Created by Jews to appear Christian during the Inquisition.
Aligot	Dish	France	Side dish	Cheesy, creamy	No	Stretches like fondue when prepared properly.
All-dressed pizza	Pizza	Canada	Main dish	Savory, complex	No	Loaded with pepperoni, onions, peppers, mushrooms, and cheese.
Aam Panna	Beverage	India	Summer drink	Tangy, sweet, minty	Yes	Made from raw green mangoes and great for hydration.
Allspice	Spice	Caribbean	Seasoning	Clove-like, warm	Yes	Named because it tastes like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg combined.
Almond	Nut	Middle East	Snacking, baking	Nutty, slightly sweet	Yes	Not a true nut, but a seed of a fruit.
Almond butter	Spread	United States	Bread spread, smoothies	Rich, creamy	Yes	A healthy alternative to peanut butter.
Almond milk	Beverage	Middle East	Dairy alternative	Mild, nutty	Yes	Low in calories and lactose-free.
Aloo gobi	Curry	India	Main dish	Spiced, comforting	Yes	Often seen in vegetarian Indian thalis.
Aloo matar	Curry	India	Main dish	Mildly spiced	Yes	Common North Indian winter dish.
Aloo paratha	Bread	India	Breakfast, lunch	Spiced, hearty	Yes	Best enjoyed with butter or curd on top.

26. Aloo tikki (Indian potato patties)

27. Alpine cheese

28. Alsatian pizza

29. Altoids

30. Amandine (dessert with almonds)

31. Amaranth

32. Amaretto

33. Amatriciana sauce

34. Ambarella (tropical fruit)

35. Amberjack fish

36. Ambrosia (fruit dessert)

37. Ambrosia salad

38. Amchoor (dried mango powder)

39. American cheese

40. American chop suey

41. Amish bread

42. Amish chicken

43. Amontillado sherry

44. Amritsari fish

45. Amuse-bouche (a single, bite-sized hors d’oeuvre)

46. Ancho chili

47. Anchovy

48. Anchovy paste

49. Andouille sausage

50. Andouillette (French sausage)

Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
Aloo tikki	Snack	India	Street food, chaat	Spicy, savory	Yes	Often served with chutneys or inside burgers.
Alpine cheese	Dairy	Switzerland/France	Melting, snacking	Nuttier, firm	No	Made from cows grazing in alpine pastures.
Alsatian pizza	Pizza	France (Alsace)	Main dish	Smoky, creamy	No	Also known as tarte flambée, made without tomato sauce.
Altoids	Mint	United Kingdom	Breath freshener	Strong, peppermint	Yes	Marketed as “The Curiously Strong Mints.”
Amandine	Dessert	France	Dessert garnish	Nutty, sweet	No	Means “garnished with almonds” in French.
Amaranth	Grain	South America	Porridge, flour	Nutty, earthy	Yes	An ancient grain high in protein and gluten-free.
Amaretto	Liqueur	Italy	Drinks, desserts	Sweet, almond	No	Made from apricot kernels or almonds.
Amatriciana sauce	Sauce	Italy	Pasta dishes	Spicy, savory	No	Traditionally made with guanciale and Pecorino cheese.
Ambarella	Fruit	Southeast Asia	Juice, pickles	Tart, crisp	Yes	Also called golden apple or June plum.
Amberjack fish	Fish	Atlantic/Pacific Oceans	Grilled, sushi	Firm, meaty	No	A favorite among deep-sea anglers and chefs alike.
Ambrosia	Dessert	USA	Holiday dessert	Sweet, fruity	No	Often includes coconut, marshmallows, and citrus.
Ambrosia salad	Salad	USA	Sweet side dish	Fruity, creamy	No	Popular in Southern U.S. cuisine, especially at potlucks.
Amchoor	Spice	India	Seasoning	Tangy, fruity	Yes	Made from dried unripe mangoes.
American cheese	Cheese	USA	Burgers, sandwiches	Salty, mild	No	Technically a processed cheese product, not a true cheese.
American chop suey	Pasta dish	USA	Main course	Savory, tomatoey	No	Includes elbow macaroni, ground beef, and tomato sauce.
Amish bread	Bread	USA (Amish communities)	Baking	Sweet, soft	No	Often made using a shared starter culture.
Amish chicken	Poultry	USA	Roasted, stews	Rich, savory	No	Known for being free-range and hormone-free.
Amontillado sherry	Wine	Spain	Sipping, cooking	Nutty, dry	No	Featured in Edgar Allan Poe’s famous story.
Amritsari fish	Fish dish	India (Punjab)	Street food, appetizer	Spicy, crispy	No	Fish is marinated with spices and deep-fried.
Amuse-bouche	Appetizer	France	Fine dining	Varies	Varies	Served as a chef’s free gift before meals.
Ancho chili	Spice	Mexico	Sauces, rubs	Smoky, mild heat	Yes	Dried poblano pepper used in mole sauces.
Anchovy	Fish	Mediterranean	Pizzas, sauces	Salty, umami	No	Small but intensely flavored fish used globally.
Anchovy paste	Condiment	Italy	Dressings, sauces	Salty, savory	No	Commonly used in Caesar salad dressing.
Andouille sausage	Sausage	France/USA	Gumbo, jambalaya	Spicy, smoky	No	A key ingredient in Cajun cooking.
Andouillette	Sausage	France	Grilled or fried	Strong, tangy	No	Made from pork intestines and has a very bold aroma.

51. Angel food cake

52. Angel hair pasta

53. Anglerfish

54. Anise

55. Anjou pear

56. Anmitsu (Japanese dessert)

57. Annatto

58. Antelope

59. Anticuchos (Peruvian beef heart skewers)

60. Antipasti

61. Antipasto salad

62. Anytizers

63. Apam balik (Malaysian pancake)

64. Aperitif

65. Apfelstrudel (German apple strudel)

66. Apple

67. Apple butter

68. Apple cider

69. Apple pie

70. Apple sauce

71. Applejack (beverage)

72. Applesauce cake

73. Apricot

74. Apricot jam

75. Aquavit

Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
Angel food cake	Dessert	USA	Sweet treat	Light, airy, sweet	No	Made without butter and uses whipped egg whites for fluffiness.
Angel hair pasta	Pasta	Italy	Light pasta dishes	Neutral	Yes	Also called “capellini,” it cooks in just 2–3 minutes.
Anglerfish	Fish	Deep sea	Stews, grilled	Firm, mild	No	Famous for its glowing lure used to catch prey.
Anise	Spice	Mediterranean	Baking, flavoring	Sweet, licorice-like	Yes	Used in many traditional liqueurs like ouzo and sambuca.
Anjou pear	Fruit	Belgium/France	Fresh eating, baking	Juicy, mild	Yes	Unlike other pears, it doesn’t change color as it ripens.
Anmitsu	Dessert	Japan	Traditional sweet	Sweet, fruity	Yes	Includes agar jelly, red bean paste, and fruit.
Annatto	Spice/Colorant	Central America	Coloring, flavoring	Earthy, peppery	Yes	Used to give cheese and butter a yellow hue.
Antelope	Meat	Africa/Asia	Grilled, roasted	Lean, gamey	No	Low-fat, high-protein wild game meat.
Anticuchos	Skewers	Peru	Street food	Spicy, smoky	No	Usually made from beef heart marinated in vinegar and spices.
Antipasti	Appetizer	Italy	Starter course	Varies	Varies	Literally means “before the meal” in Italian.
Antipasto salad	Salad	Italy	Appetizer	Bold, tangy	No	Features meats, cheeses, olives, and pickled veggies.
Anytizers	Snack	USA	Frozen appetizers	Savory	No	Tyson’s brand of quick-prep frozen snack foods.
Apam balik	Dessert	Malaysia	Street food	Sweet, crunchy	No	Often stuffed with peanuts, corn, and sugar.
Aperitif	Beverage	France/Italy	Before meals	Bitter, herbal	No	Served to stimulate the appetite before dining.
Apfelstrudel	Dessert	Germany/Austria	Baking	Sweet, spiced	No	Famous Viennese pastry filled with apples and cinnamon.
Apple	Fruit	Central Asia	Eating, baking, juicing	Sweet to tart	Yes	There are over 7,500 apple varieties worldwide.
Apple butter	Spread	Europe/USA	Toast, baking	Spiced, sweet	Yes	Despite its name, it contains no butter.
Apple cider	Beverage	UK/USA	Drinking	Tart, sweet	Yes	Can be alcoholic or non-alcoholic depending on preparation.
Apple pie	Dessert	USA/UK	Baking	Sweet, spiced	No	A classic American dessert often served with ice cream.
Apple sauce	Condiment	Europe	Side dish, baking	Sweet, smooth	Yes	Often used as an egg substitute in vegan baking.
Applejack	Alcohol	USA	Sipping, cocktails	Fruity, strong	No	America’s first distilled spirit, made from apples.
Applesauce cake	Dessert	USA	Baking	Moist, sweet	No	A Depression-era cake that uses applesauce for moisture.
Apricot	Fruit	China/Central Asia	Snacking, baking	Sweet, tart	Yes	Apricots belong to the same family as peaches and plums.
Apricot jam	Spread	Europe	Toast, desserts	Sweet, tangy	Yes	Often used in baking to glaze fruit tarts.
Aquavit	Alcohol	Scandinavia	Shots, cocktails	Herbal, spiced	No	Flavored with caraway or dill; traditional in Nordic countries.

76. Arancini (Italian rice balls)

77. Arborio rice

78. Arctic char

79. Arepa (South American corn cake)

80. Argan oil

81. Arrowroot

82. Arroz con leche (rice pudding)

83. Arroz con pollo (chicken and rice)

84. Artichoke

85. Artichoke dip

86. Arugula

87. Ash cake (simple corn cake)

88. Asiago cheese

89. Asparagus

90. Aspic

91. Assam tea

92. Atole (Mexican hot beverage)

93. Aubergine (another name for eggplant)

94. Aubergine parmigiana

95. Avocado

96. Avocado roll

97. Avocado toast

98. Awamori (Okinawan distilled beverage)

99. Ayrshire potatoes

100. Azuki beans

Name	Type	Origin	Use	Taste	Vegan	Fun Fact
Arancini	Snack	Italy	Appetizer, snack	Savory, cheesy	No	These fried rice balls are often stuffed with meat, peas, and mozzarella.
Arborio rice	Grain	Italy	Risotto	Starchy, creamy	Yes	Its high starch content gives risotto its signature creamy texture.
Arctic char	Fish	Arctic regions	Grilled, baked	Mild, rich	No	It’s a cold-water fish related to both salmon and trout.
Arepa	Bread	Colombia/Venezuela	Breakfast, sandwich	Neutral, slightly sweet	Yes	Made from maize dough and often stuffed or topped with fillings.
Argan oil	Oil	Morocco	Cooking, cosmetics	Nutty	Yes	Edible argan oil is different from the one used on skin and hair.
Arrowroot	Starch	Caribbean	Thickening agent	Bland	Yes	Often used as a gluten-free alternative to cornstarch.
Arroz con leche	Dessert	Spain/Latin America	Sweet dish	Sweet, creamy	No	Spanish version of rice pudding, often flavored with cinnamon.
Arroz con pollo	Main dish	Spain/Latin America	Lunch, dinner	Savory, hearty	No	Translates to “rice with chicken” and is a comfort food in many cultures.
Artichoke	Vegetable	Mediterranean	Boiled, roasted, dips	Nutty, slightly sweet	Yes	Actually the bud of a thistle flower.
Artichoke dip	Dip	USA	Appetizer	Cheesy, tangy	No	Commonly includes spinach and cream cheese.
Arugula	Leafy green	Europe	Salads, toppings	Peppery, bitter	Yes	Also known as rocket in the UK.
Ash cake	Bread	Native American	Traditional baking	Earthy, simple	Yes	Baked directly in hot ashes and coals.
Asiago cheese	Cheese	Italy	Snacking, grating	Sharp, nutty	No	Flavor becomes sharper as it ages.
Asparagus	Vegetable	Europe	Grilled, roasted	Earthy, slightly bitter	Yes	Green, white, and purple varieties exist.
Aspic	Dish	France	Cold appetizer	Savory, gelatinous	No	Made with meat stock and gelatin, popular in vintage cuisine.
Assam tea	Tea	India (Assam)	Beverage	Malty, strong	Yes	Used in many breakfast tea blends like English Breakfast.
Atole	Beverage	Mexico	Hot drink	Sweet, thick	No	Traditionally made with masa and flavored with cinnamon or vanilla.
Aubergine	Vegetable	India	Grilled, fried, baked	Mild, absorbent	Yes	“Aubergine” is the British word for eggplant.
Aubergine parmigiana	Dish	Italy	Main dish	Savory, cheesy	No	Baked layers of eggplant, tomato sauce, and cheese.
Avocado	Fruit	Mexico/Central America	Salads, spreads	Buttery, mild	Yes	Botanically a berry with a large seed.
Avocado roll	Sushi	Japan/USA	Sushi roll	Creamy, mild	Yes	A common vegan sushi option.
Avocado toast	Dish	USA/Australia	Breakfast	Buttery, fresh	Yes	Became a viral food trend in the 2010s.
Awamori	Alcohol	Japan (Okinawa)	Drinking	Strong, earthy	No	Made from Thai rice and fermented with black koji mold.
Ayrshire potatoes	Vegetable	Scotland	Boiled, mashed	Earthy, creamy	Yes	Famous for their thin skins and early harvest.
Azuki beans	Legume	East Asia	Desserts, soups	Nutty, mildly sweet	Yes	Commonly used to make red bean paste in Japanese sweets.