It may seem bizarre to some that a certain item on the menu of a posh hotel presided over by a celebrity chef, is priced so outrageously high. But for those in the know, it would be only normal for a celebrity chef to command and get the best of ingredients just so that he may be able to create the work of art that he visualizes We have listed out 10 of the most sought after ingredients that have been popularised by celebrity chefs over the years.
1. White Truffle
White truffles are known for their unique nutty, savoury and sweet flavour. Truffles have always cost the earth because they are not easy to cultivate. They are found only in the forests of northern Italy. Harvested in the winter months, white truffles are found at the base of oak trees. Since they are only available in their natural habitat, Truffle hunters use specially trained pigs and dogs to forage for white truffles.
White truffles are commonly used as a garnish in pasta and other dishes that have a lot of eggs, cheese and butter.
White truffles can be sold for INR 1.86 lakhs to INR 3.1 lakhs
2. Saffron
Saffron is known for its distinct aroma and colour. It is the most expensive spice in the world. It comes from the saffron crocus flower, which blooms only once a year. Each flower produces only three threads of saffron, which explains why it is so hard to come by.
A kilo of saffron can cost a minimum around INR 2 lakhs.
3. Vanilla
Vanilla is the second most sought after spice in the world. The vanilla flowers bloom for a couple of hours once a year, which leaves very little time for natural pollination. The vanilla pods have to be fermented and aged for two years before they release their distinct aroma and flavour. The vanilla orchids have to be grown manually and they only grow in certain areas, thus adding to the exorbitant price tag.
A pound of pure vanilla can cost up to INR 2.17 lakhs to INR 2.4 lakhs
4. Kopi Luwak
Kopi Luwak is coffee beans that have been acquired from the excreta of an animal called Palm Civet. The civet finds the sweetest coffee berries, eats them and passes out the undigested coffee seeds. These are then cleaned, roasted and ground. The Kopi Luwak coffee is extremely sweet, smooth and rich because the bitterness of the coffee is removed in the digestion process.
The coffee is priced at approx INR 12,000 to INR 24,000
5. Black Truffle or tuber melanosporum
The black truffle is found in the Périgord region of France. It grows with the hazelnut and oak trees. It is ranked second in price after the white truffle. They are used to heighten the taste of the dish because, unlike the white truffle, the aroma and flavour of the black truffle intensifies on heating.
These can cost up to INR 70,000 to INR 1.14 lakhs for a kilo.
6. Balsamic vinegar
The true balsamic vinegar is made from white Trebbiano grapes that are boiled down to a must, which is then placed in a barrel, allowing water to escape over a time period of 12 to 25 years. The prolonged evaporation and concentration needs a large quantity of grapes.
A 100ml bottle of this sweet, dark, thick syrup costs approx. INR 10,000
7. Swiftnest
As the name suggests, this ingredient was originally found in the caves in Southeast Asian countries. The nests are made by the male swallow’s saliva. These nests dissolve in broth to give it a gelatinous texture. It takes up to two months for a bird to build its nest. These nests must be scavenged from the hard to reach caves or from custom built houses for the birds.
1 pound of the swiftne
