We know that U is for umbrella but did you know that U is also for umbrella fruit? Today let’s venture into the alphabetic dimension of foods and see what some foods that start with U are. You might recognize some, and some might be a shocker to you. So, let’s go!

Some foods that start with U are umbrella fruit, umeboshi, ube, Uni, upma, umbricelli pasta, urgelia cheese, upside down cake, ugli pie, ulluco, upland cress, and Urfa Biber. But these are far from all the foods that start with U.

I have prepared an extensive list of foods that start with U, and it has about 50 foods that you can explore. This will be a fun activity. So, let’s start with our food list in case you want to create an alphabetic-specific menu. It includes fruits, vegetables, snacks, dishes, drinks, and desserts that start with U.

Fruits, Veggies, and Condiments That Start With U

1. Umbrella Fruit

The first food on our list is umbrella fruit. It is also known as Ambarella fruit. It is a tropical fruit that goes in Asia and Africa. This exotic fruit has a green and sometimes yellow appearance. The fruit has a hard exterior and hence a crunchy texture and tastes like two other tropical fruits; pineapple and mango.

The predominant taste of the fruit is sour, and thus it goes great when sprinkled with a little bit of salt, chili powder, sugar, or some shrimp paste for an umami flavor shot. The fruit can be eaten raw as well as when it’s ripe, although it tastes the best when ripe. It is also a great addition to soups and broths.

2. Urfa Biber

Urfa Biber is a condiment, a spicy one too. Urfa Biber is actually red chili flakes from the Urfa region of Turkey; the region is what they’re named after. The Urfa chili flakes come from Turkish chili peppers. The Turkish chili peppers have a rich burgundy color and look like bell peppers in terms of shape.

Urfa Biber tastes slightly sweet and salty and is a bit of intense spice. It also has a smoky flavor. You can top your dishes with it to make them spicier, just like you add your chili flakes. You can also Urfa Biber to soups, broths, noodles, pasta, or any other dish where you want to add a smoky, spicy flavor.

3. Ugba 

Ugba is a kind of seed that starts with U. They are actually fermented seeds made from the African oil bean tree. The seeds are in the tree pods, and when the pods mature, they burst out. Before consumption, the seeds are boiled, cracked, shredded, and lastly fermented. Ugba is also a healthy ingredient and is rich in protein.

Ugba is available salted as well as unsalted. You can use ugba in salads and other dishes. Many people use it as a side dish, while others even cook it as a main dish and serve it atop rice. When the ugba is fermented perfectly, it emulates a rich and umami flavor, soft texture, and pungent fermented smell.

4. Ugli Fruit

Ugli fruit is also known as Uniq fruit or the more common term Jamaican tangelo. Ugli fruit is a citrus fruit found in nature and is made by the process of a natural hybridization of two citrus fruits. The fruits in question are tangerine orange and grapefruit or pomelo. This fruit is a native of Jamaica, specifically Brown’s Town.

Ugli fruit has a fresh and sweet taste and is very juicy. If we talk about appearance, ugli fruit is just a bit larger than grapefruit and is not heavily seeded. Like the citrus family, this fruit is rich in vitamin C and low in calories. It also contains flavonoids, which are antioxidants known for their anti-inflammatory properties.

5. Ume

Ume is the name of the ‘Japanese plum’ and came to Japan from China more than 2000 years ago. Even though it is called a plum, its traits make it closer to apricots. There are many names for ume. People call it “Chinese plum” or “Japanese apricot,” but the majority call it the “Japanese plum.”

There are many ways to eat the plum. One is to pickle it, which is called the umeboshi. People also use it to make alcohol known as umeshu or an ume cordial, an ume syrup. Ume also has a lot of health benefits. They have a lot of antioxidants, improve blood pressure, and can be effective against food poisoning.

6. Umeboshi

If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine, you might’ve heard about umeboshi. Umeboshi is the name of the pickled and dried ume fruit. The literal translation of umeboshi is ‘salted plums.’ Ume fruit is the name of the Japanese plum, which grows on the flowering plum tree.

Umeboshi, because it is a pickled fruit, has a very salty and sour taste. But it is also available in a sweet variety that has honey added to it. Umeboshi tastes best when served with onigiri. It is usually served in small amounts to add a kick of flavor. Other than rice, people eat it with rice, veggies, or other dishes.

Other than being a flavor-packed ingredient, umeboshi is also healthy. It is said that Samurais used to eat umeboshi before going to war. Umeboshi helps fight fatigue and also improves digestion. It is also known to prevent nausea and thus is a great cure for hangovers. It is rich in anti-aging properties. 

7. Urad Dal

Urad dal is the Indian name for the split black gram or black lentil (‘dal’ means lentil). Urad dal has a variety of uses in Indian cuisine, and its versatility depends on the region of the country. A famous North India dish made with urad dal is Dal Makhani. In South India, urad dal is used to make idli and dosa.

Besides being delicious and versatile, it also has a lot of health benefits. Urad dal is known to have a positive impact on digestion and also helps regulate blood sugar levels. It also protects the heart and brain and boosts energy. Urad dal is also rich in protein and improves bone health.

8. Umibudo

Another Japanese ingredient, Umibudo, is the name of Japanese seaweed. The seaweed is actually found in the shallow waters of Okinawa. Umibudo is also referred to as sea grapes or green caviar. It is actually treated as a delicacy and is a loved ingredient. Other than Japan, it is also found in many other Asian countries.

Umibudo is named sea grapes or caviar because the look like tiny green grapes or small marbles. Umibudo is mostly eaten raw but is sometimes added to soups and dishes. This seaweed has an oceany salty flavor and a crunchy texture.

In addition to being a delicacy, it is also a health treasure. It is rich in minerals and has a low-calorie count. Besides that, it also contains hyaluronic acid, making it a great ingredient for better skin health. It’s safe to say that this food that starts with U is amazing!

9. Ububese Fruit

Ububese, another fruit that starts with U, is an African fruit. You can mostly find it in the countries like Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The scientific name for the Ububese fruit tree is Annona stenophylla. But this fruit also goes by other popular names like ‘dwarf custard apple,’ ‘ground sop,’ or ‘Muroro.’

The Ububese fruit is round or oval and has a dark yellow or reddish appearance. The outer surface has a pattern that resembles a custard apple. The Ububese fruit’s flesh has a sweet taste and is also full of nutrients and fiber. It can be eaten raw, cooked, or preserved.

10. Urava Fruit

Urava fruit grows mainly in the mangrove region and thus is called the mangrove apple and is also sometimes referred to as perepat. The urva fruit is a small fruit that’s almost shaped like a hat. It has a green appearance with a thick exterior.

Not just the fruit, the leaves of the Urava tree are also edible. One popular way Urava fruit is consumed in Sri Lanka is by mixing the fruit’s pulp with coconut milk and made into a Urava milkshake.

11. Umbu Fruit

Umbu fruit is commonly known as Brazil plum and is native to northeast Brazil. Its color ranges from light yellow to red. It has round and small, and its skin is hard and rugged. Umbu also has a lot of varieties, some cherry-sized and others as big, lemon-sized. 

Umbu fruit can be eaten fresh, but many people also like to juice it. Umbu fruit is also used to make jams, jellies, and preserves. It is also used to make delicious fruity ice creams. The fruit has a predominantly tangy taste and is a good source of vitamin C.

12. Usuma Fruit

Have you ever heard that fruit tastes like peanut butter? Here we are, and the fruit starts with U. Usuma fruit tastes like peanut butter. It is a very delicious and sweet fruit native to South America.

Usuma fruit’s unique and pleasant taste makes it a great addition to milkshakes, smoothies, jams, and juices. It is also a great fruit to eat raw.

13. Ulluco

Wondering what ulluco is? For starters, it is a root vegetable that starts with U. Ulluco is considered one of the most widely grown root vegetables in South America. To be precise, It is native to the Andean region. Its skin is waxy and brightly colored in yellow, pink, and purple hues.

Ulluco, being a starchy vegetable, has a mild sweetness. Other than that, it has less than 2% fat content. It is also rich in protein, carbs, and vitamin C. This is especially great for the people who live in the mountainous regions of South America.

Actually, it doesn’t grow in places where the summer exceeds 75 degrees. So, this root vegetable becomes a blessing in the high altitudes of the mountainous Andean region. This food grows easily and has a lot of nutritional benefits.

If you’re thinking of cooking ulluco, baking or frying might not be the right way to go. But there are many other ways that you cook or prepare them. One of the popular ways is making pickled ullucos. Other than that, it also works in soup recipes and is sometimes fried to make some traditional dishes.

14. Ube

You might recognize the word ube. It happens to be a popular food that starts with U. But what is it? Well, ube is a yam from the Philippines, a close cousin to the sweet potato family. It’s easily recognizable because of its bright purple and yam-like appearance.

If you want to put a pin on its flavor, you can describe it as somewhat coconut-like with mellow notes of a nutty, vanilla-like flavor. It’s said to have a creamy texture making it easily blendable in recipes. Ube doesn’t have an overpowering taste but rather a mellow taste.

It has a sweet flavor and thus is used to make desserts of all kinds. Ube is the natural coloring aid to the purple-colored desserts you see on social media. Some include beautiful lavender ice creams, macaroons, brownies, waffles, and even blushing lavender pancakes.

15. Upland Cress

Upland cress, normally referred to as land cress, isn’t watercress. But it does share similarities with watercress. Like watercress, upland cress is a green leafy vegetable native to Europe and Asia. It has a history of more than three centuries and has been grown and used in England since the 17th century.

It is generally sold with its roots attached to it. If we talk about its taste, the upland cress shares a similar taste to the watercress. It is also as nutritionally as its water-grown counterpart. The difference is that the upland cress has a thinner stem and smaller leaves, making it look like baby watercress.

It can be used upland cress in the same way as a watercress. You can use it in salads, sandwiches, or soups. You can also cook it as a standalone dish like you cook spinach.

16. Ugni Fruit

Another fruit and food that starts with U is Ugni fruit. Ugni is the fruit of the Ugni Molinae shrub, commonly found in Chile, New Zealand, and Argentina. It is known by many names, including Chilean guava, strawberry myrtle, New Zealand cranberry, murta, Uñiberry, and Tazziberry.

The ugni fruit is a small berry in white, red, or purple shades. The fruit is said to have a delicious taste, tasting like wild strawberries and having a fruity and floral aroma. You can eat Ugni fruit raw or use it in desserts. It is also used to make Murtado, a popular Chilean liqueur.

Savory Dishes That Start With U

17. Udon

If you are a fan of Japanese cuisine, you must have heard the name udon. Unlike ramen, udon noodles are thick and chewy, made with wheat flour. They can either be flat or rounded. Udon noodles are typically served in a simple dashi-based broth. Other than dashi, the broth also contains soy sauce and mirin. 

The savory and umami flavor of the broth pairs well with the topping of the noodles. One of the popularly used toppings is finely chopped scallions. Some more explored toppings include mixed tempura fritter, prawn tempura, deep-fried sweet tofu, sliced fish cake, and shichimi seasoning. However, udon tastes best when served plain.

As they’re made with wheat flour, they are also a healthier option for the much-loved ramen. A bowl of udon is rich in vitamins B1, B2, B3, B9, and folate. These vitamins help lower stress levels and make your immune system stronger. They also provide you with an energy boost.

18. Urchins

Urchins or Uni are other gems of Japanese cuisine and another food on our list. When you look at urchins, they might not seem like the food you’d want to eat. But break them out of their shell, and you’ll experience a new world of flavors and textures.

Sea urchins are considered a delicacy even though they have a horrendous appearance. But not all parts of the sea urchin are edible. The only part of the urchin that is edible is the Uni, which is the reproductive organ of the creature.

It is used in nigiri sushi and is eaten raw and served atop a bed of rice. It is also used in Japanese-style pasta combined with nori for the extra hit of ocean and umami flavor. 

Talking about its flavor, sea urchin or Uni has an ocean-y salty flavor with an intense umami flavor. In addition, it has a yellow tongue-like appearance and a melt-in-the-mouth and creamy texture.

Apart from being a delicacy, urchins are also healthy. They are high in protein and are a good source of fiber, vitamin A and E, calcium, and iodine. They also contain very little fat. Hence, they are a great food.

19. Ukha

Ukha might seem like a word from a foreign language. That’s because it is. Ukha is the name of a classic Russian fish soup. It has been around since the 12th century, but the recipe has changed over the years. A fun fact about ukha is that every home in Russia prepares it in its own different way.

There’s no one assigned fish to prepare ukha. Some common fish used to make the soup are bream, wels catfish, northern pike, etc. Fish is the main ingredient, but onions, potatoes, and carrots are the other indispensable ingredients for the soup.

To thicken the soup, the locals sometimes use millets. To give the soup a warm spicy flavor, it is seasoned with black peppercorns, dill, parsley, and bay leaf.

The fish stock for this dish is cooked with all the remainders of the fish; fish bones, tails, and heads. It is also simple to make. All the ingredients are added and cooked at once. As it is made with fish, it has all its health benefits. Ukha is rich in many high-quality proteins and omega-3 fatty acids.

20. Uthappam

Sweet pancakes are the much-loved American breakfast but visit South India, and your breakfast will be some delightful savory pancakes. Uthappam is a very famous breakfast item in the Southern part of India. You can call it a savory pancake with veggie toppings. It’s different from dosa which is like a crispy, savory crepe.

The batter for uthappam is from ground urad beans (black lentils) and rice. The choice for toppings is a long list. You can use tomatoes, onions, chilies, bell peppers, coriander, grated coconut, carrots, and beets. You can fill your uthappam with a lot of veggies. These veggie pancakes are usually served with sambar or chutney.

21. Upma

Another gem from South India, upma, is a delicious breakfast porridge. It is usually made from dry-roasted semolina or coarse rice flour. Upma can also be made using other grains. There are a lot of variations for the base of upma; you can use whole wheat, oats, quinoa, rice, corn, and vermicelli.

Besides the grains that make the base of the porridge, you can also add ginger, curry leaves, green chilies, mustard, cumin seeds, and roasted lentils to enhance its flavors.

Upma is also nutritious and is high in fiber, vitamins, and option fats. It is low in calories and cholesterol. The semolina version of upma has an extra dose of iron for you. You can enjoy this India porridge all on its own for a hearty and healthy breakfast.

22. Unagi

If you are a fan of the show F.R.I.E.N.D.S, then you must be aware of unagi. It is not “the state of complete awareness,” as Ross puts it, but it is the Japanese freshwater eel. It is actually considered a delicacy and treated as a luxurious food item.

There are a few ways to prepare unagi to get the best taste. You can have grilled unagi with sweet soy sauce or salted roasted unagi with wasabi and light soy sauce. You can also enjoy it rolled around egg omelet or rice and nori.

Unagi is a nutrient treasure as well. It is high in protein, calcium, and omega-3. Eating unagi can improve blood pressure and reduce the risk of diabetes and arthritis. It also lowers cholesterol levels in the body, making you healthier.

23. Usal

Usal is an Indian breakfast dish from the state of Maharashtra. This dish is made with mung bean sprouts. As Usal mainly comprises sprouts, it is super healthy. It is rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is also not a complicated dish to make.

The usual ingredients used to make usal are mixed sprouts, tomatoes, and onions. There are also some seasoning and spices that go in usal. You can add curry spices, such as red chili, cumin seeds, turmeric, and garam masala powder. You can add some garlic, ginger, and oil to amp up its taste.

You can add usal to an array of things. The common of which is a stew made with vegetables. You can add peppers, sweet corn, and other veggies to your stew. You can make it a breakfast dish or serve it as a main dish. It’ll be amazing in all ways!

24. Ulava Charu

Ulava charu also comes from Indian cuisine. It is actually a part of Andhra cuisine. The commonly used name for Ulava Charu is horse gram lentil soup. Horse grams are lentils native to South Asia and are very healthy. To prepare Ulava Charu, the horse gram lentil is boiled.

Once it is cooked, it is then cooked with delicious and spicy coconut red chili gravy. The coconut red chili gravy consists of tomatoes, onion, coconut base, and red chilies. After that, it is cooked in a pressure cooker until it becomes a delicious soup.

Talking about its health benefits, horse gram has the highest protein content compared to other lentils. It’s also rich in iron and calcium. Horse gram also boosts your energy levels to a great extent. Do try to make this food that starts with U.

25. Uszka

Uszka is the name of small dumplings, also known as vushka. Uszka is native to Poland and is served as a traditional Christmas Eve dish. The dumplings after filled and closed and made into a closed shape. Due to this closed-up shape, uszka is nicknamed “little ears.” 

Talking about the uszka filling, it is usually a wild forest mushroom filling. Sometimes, the mushrooms are mixed with minced meat. Besides the occasional meat, the filling includes onion, parsley, egg, and bread crumbs. Of course, there’s salt and pepper to taste. You need the unleavened dough to make the shells of the dumplings.

Uszka is delicious and flavorful. You can eat them with different dipping sauces. If you don’t have something to dip in your uszka, just pour some melted butter on top of them. You can also sprinkle chives to add some flavor. You can also add uszka to soup to make them soupy and delicious.

26. Undhiyu

Undhiyu is another food from the Indian cuisine that starts with U. Undhiyu belongs to the Gujarati cuisine. Gujarati cuisine is rich with delicious vegetarian dishes. Undhiyu is no exception. It is a curry made using fresh vegetables. Its name comes from the word ‘undhu,’ a Gujarati word for upside down.

It is named so because this seasonal dish is served upside down in earthen pots. It is delicious and is served on auspicious occasions like weddings, etc. It’s also healthy as it is low in calories and high in fiber. It is also rich in nutrients. So, it is healthy and delicious, a double boom!

27. Utica Greens

Utica greens are a slightly modified version of the famous sautéed greens. It originated in the 1980s when Italian restaurants in New York started serving this dish. Utica greens actually have their roots in the region of Sicily and Southern Italy.

If you’re wondering why they’re called Utica greens, it’s because the restaurant that put this dish on the radar was named Utica, and hence the dish is named so.

Wondering what usually goes into making this sautéed dish? Well, it’s along the lines of escarole, hot peppers, cheese, bread crumbs, chicken broth, and prosciutto. Other variations of meat are also known to appear in the dish.

Escarole is what makes this dish justify the word ‘greens’ in its name. Utica greens are the perfect blend of healthy greens and spicy peppers. It is flavorful and is also high on the health radar. lt is rich in minerals, vitamins A and K, fiber, and antioxidants.

28. Umbricelli Pasta

Umbricelli pasta, also sometimes referred to as fat spaghetti, is pasta that comes from the Umbria region of Italy. Umbricelli is actually hand-rolled and thick pasta. It looks like spaghetti but is thicker and shorter than it. It is also different from other pasta as no eggs are used to make dough.

It only requires two ingredients to make Umbricelli pasta dough; durum wheat flour and water. As there is no egg to soften the pasta, the dough is more compressed and can be hard to knead.

Once hand-rolled, the pasta strings are rolled to make a serving pasta. As it is thick, Umbrecilli pasta tastes best when served with a rich tomato sauce. You can also throw in some mushrooms for an umami flavor or serve the pasta with an earthy and umami truffle sauce.

29. Ukrainian Dinner Rolls

Ukrainian dinner rolls, locally called Pampushky, are Ukraine’s answer to garlic bread. Ukrainian dinner rolls are rich and savory buns made of a yeasty dough that has to be proofed for a night before baking. The dough is brushed with a buttery garlic sauce before baking, which gives a beautiful golden color and a rich garlic taste.

The Ukrainian dinner rolls are fluffy and spongy inside, while the crispy crust is perfect to pair with soups ad broths. They are usually served with Borsch, a hearty and delicious Ukrainian soup made with beets and cabbage.

30. Ukrainian Holubtsi

Stuffed cabbage is a famous dish known all over the world. It is a much-loved dish in Eastern Europe and the Balkans. As a dish that’s been around the world, there are many renditions of this dish. Holubtsi is the Ukrainian version of stuffed cabbage and is a classic dish. 

The word “Holubtsi” literally means “little pigeons.” The authentic recipe of holubtsi doesn’t contain any meat. Thus, it is a delicious side dish to heavier, meat-loaded main dishes.

Holubtsi is prepared by wrapping fermented cabbage leaves around various fillings. It tastes best when it is served with tomato sauce or sour cream.

31. Usban

Usban, also called osban, is a traditional sausage in some North African countries, including Tunisia, Libya, and Algeria. This sausage is prepared for special occasions like weddings and Eid. The stuffing is made with rice, lamb, liver, and heart. The stuffing is made by adding seasoning and herbs to it.

The seasoning differs from the sausage variations, but some common spices are cayenne pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and black pepper. Some commonly used herbs are dried mint, parsley, and dill.

Spring onion, tomato, and vegetable oil are added to make the stuffing more flavorful. The casing for the sausage can be store-bought, but the traditional recipe uses the sheep’s intestine as the sausage casing.

Once the stuffing is made and filled, the sausages are boiled and then fried. Once fried, the sausage is traditionally served with a rice dish or couscous.

32. Ugali

Ugali is a very thick porridge made with either corn or cassava flour. Native to East Africa, this porridge is a staple in Kenya. This African porridge shares a similar texture and taste to the Mexican polenta. Ugali is served with many things like vegetable/ meat stew and a grilled meat dish called Nyoma Choma.

Ugali has a mild popcorn-like flavor as it is made with corn. If you’re not serving ugali with anything, you can add some butter or salt to it to enhance its flavor. Ugali is also full of vitamins, minerals, and good carbohydrates. It is also a rich fiber source, gluten-free, and vegan.

There’s actually a very interesting way of eating ugali. As it is very thick, you can eat it with your hand. Just take a small lump of the porridge and roll it into a ball. Create a small indentation in the middle of the porridge ball and use it to scoop stew. Delicious stew and ugali flavor bombs!

33. Umbuzada

Umbuzada, also called imbuzada, is a drink that starts with U. It originated and is popular in Northeastern Brazil, especially in Bahia. This drink is categorized as non-alcoholic and can be enjoyed by everybody.

It is made using just three ingredients; milk, sugar, and Umbu, which is a kind of Brazilian plum. Umbu has a predominant tangy and acidic taste. This taste resonates in the drink and has a mildly acidic taste. This drink is delicious and enjoyed by a lot of people.

Desserts and Snacks That Start With U

34. Utah Scones

Scones are the perfect companions to your cream tea. When you think about scones, you think about triangular-shaped baked biscuits that are slightly sweet. Well, sorry to disappoint you but Utah scones are a bit different. In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Utah scones aren’t scones at all.

Instead, Utah scones are deep-fried pieces of bread and look nothing like the scones you know. These “scones” are made from sweet yeast dough, buttermilk, and baking soda. They are light and fluffy but have a dry and crumbly texture.

They are many ways to serve Utah scones. You can top them with melted butter, honey, maple syrup, jam, marmalade, peanut butter, etc. If you want to make them sweet, sprinkle some powdered sugar over them. Even though it’s not a real scone, it is delicious.

35. U No Bar

U-NO bar is a truffle-type chocolate bar. The U-NO has a truffle middle covered with almond bits, then covered in a thin layer of chocolate. The bar is wrapped in a silver foil-like wrapper. 

For perspective, the U-NO looks similar to the 3 Musketeers bar but has a higher fat content. It has a rich and decadent taste; thus, you can call it a dessert bar. They used to make them in mint flavor, but it was discontinued.

36. Urgelia Cheese

Urgelia cheese, a delicious cheese made from pasteurized cow’s milk, is produced in the mountain region of Catalan Pyrenees in northern Spain.

This cheese is produced in a wheel where its rind is infused with yeast brine. The cheese is cured for only a short period of two months. The result is a creamy and soft cheese. To find Urgelia cheese, you should know that it is ivory colored. It is semi-firm, and it has an eyelet-dotted interior with a salty flavor.

Due to the yeast-infused rim, the cheese has an acidic taste and a mild salty and nutty flavor. You can serve Urgelia cheese on your charcuterie board. It also makes a great addition to fresh salads and antipasto.

Urgelia also melts beautifully and has a great creamy and soft texture. You can easily blend it in a sauce or use it in a sandwich dressing. This cheese is definitely worth a try! 

37. Urda Cheese

Urda cheese is a traditional cheese native to the Balkans region of Southeast Europe and is said to be originated from Romania. Thus, many people also refer to it as Romanian Urda cheese. Urda cheese is a traditional whey cheese. The whey in question can be from any milk, be it sheep, cow, or goat milk.

It has a soft, grainy, and crumbly texture. It has a fresh aroma along with a mildly sweet and milky flavor. As this cheese is made from whey, it is low-fat. It is also rich in minerals and is a good source of quality protein. You can use Urda cheese for baking delicious cheesecakes or enjoying it with salads. 

38. Unpasteurized Cheese

Unpasteurized cheese is just cheese made from raw or unpasteurized milk. Many people prefer unpasteurized cheese over its pasteurized counterpart. It’s only a matter of preference and really depends on what kind of taste and texture you prefer. Many people like it because of its complex flavor and soft and tender texture.

Pasteurization is the process of heating milk to kill harmful bacteria before it is used for cheese-making. Thus, you don’t need to age pasteurized cheese for long. On the contrary, unpasteurized cheese-making needs a minimum aging period of 60 days. Aging helps to naturally prevent salmonella, E. coli, and other harmful bacteria.

39. Unni Appam

Unni appam is a very popular snack in Kerala, and food that starts with U. Unni appams are small, round, sweet fritters. Literally translating the term,’ unni’ means small and ‘appam’ means rice cake. They are made from rice, jaggery, banana, roasted coconut pieces, and clarified butter (ghee).

They are flavored with cardamom powder and roasted sesame seeds. Some people also use jackfruit to make unni appam instead of banana. These delicious fritters are delightfully vegan and gluten-free. But make sure you don’t eat one too many of these sweet treats as they have a high sugar and refined carbohydrate content.

40. Ugadi Pachadi

Before I tell you about what Ugadi pachadi is, let me briefly introduce what Ugadi is. Ugadi is the name of the New Year’s Day for Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in India. It marks the first day of the Hindu lunisolar calendar. This is where Ugadi pachadi comes in.

Ugadi pachadi is a special festive food to commemorate this day. It is a mixture of six different flavors/tastes; sweet, sour, salt, pungent, spice, and bitter. The dish combines the flavors of neem flowers, jaggery, pepper, powdered coconut, raw mango, and salt. Other things used to make this dish are fried gram, cashews, raisins, and sliced banana.

Each flavor signifies emotion, and the dish symbolizes the mixture of emotions in life. Sweet signifies happiness, pungent signifies surprises, bitter is sadness, sour is a symbol of unpleasantness, salt signifies fear of the unknown or surprise, and lastly, the spice symbolizes anger.

This dish is also great on the health radar. Ugadi pachadi is rich in antioxidants and micronutrients like selenium and zinc. It prevents free radical damage, boosts immunity, and also detoxifies the liver.

41. Upside Down Cake