Are you curious about which foods start with the letter T? It’s not just the famous tortilla or tahini; there are some very interesting foods around the globe starting with this particular letter.
Let’s dig deeper to find out which of these you are familiar with already, and which ones are new dishes to try!
The List: 38 Foods That Start With T
1. Tabasco
Tabasco is a type of hot sauce prepared using tabasco peppers. Once ripened, the hot tabasco peppers are picked by hand. They are then mashed and mixed with a small amount of Avery Island salt. These are then put in wooden oak barrels and allowed to age for up to three years. There are different varieties available depending on the level of heat you can handle!
2. Tabbouleh
Tabbouleh is an Arab salad made of cracked wheat and other finely chopped ingredients such as tomatoes, onions, parsley, mint, and lemon juice. The salad has Lebanese origins but is a popular side of the Middle Eastern food spread. Tabbouleh is often served with a mezze or other Middle Eastern food items such as hummus, filled grapes, and falafel.
3. Taco
Taco is a corn or wheat tortilla that can be soft or crispy and is rolled and filled with a combination of ingredients. The tortillas are usually wrapped around a meat and cheese filling, which is topped with cilantro or diced onion. The traditional fillings include vegetables, beans, cheese, meat, and a spicy sauce. Taco is a stereotypical Mexican dish that remains popular as a snack and street food.
4. Tagine
Tagine has been an essential part of Moroccan cuisine for centuries. The name tagine usually refers to the North American cookware made of clay or ceramics and has a unique shape. It also means a stew-like dish that is slow-cooked and succulent.
The neck of the tagine traps the steam and sends it back into the pot in a condensed and rich form. A minimum amount of water is utilized to cook these stews, where buttery perfection is achieved at the end.
5. Tahini
Tahini or tahina is a paste mainly eaten in the Middle East. It is made of ground sesame butter and is the star of hummus and baba ghanoush dips. Apart from the Middle East, Tahini is also found in the culinary culture of North Africa and South Caucasus countries.
Tahini is made of three basic ingredients: sesame seeds, salt, and some oil. The sesame seeds are usually toasted, ground, and then emulsified to create a smooth and consistent butter.
6. Tamale
Cinnamon Tamale is also known as the Indian bay leaf or tej patta. The leaves are used extensively as spices. These are either used fresh or dried and used in cooking for their distinctive cinnamon-like flavor. In Indian cuisine, these leaves are mainly used in rice-based dishes such as biryani and pulao. They are also part of the popular Indian spice blend, Garam Masala.
7. Tamarind
The Tamarind tree is native to Asia and Africa but can also be found in tropical areas across the globe. The tree usually has pods like that of beans which are filled with pulp. The pulp of a young tree is green, whereas as it ripens, the pulp forms a paste-like consistency and is both sweet and sour. The pulp of this tree is widely used in Asia, Mexico, the Middle East, and the Caribbean to make chutneys, sauces, marinades, and rubs. The fruit also has medicinal properties, and a drink made of tamarind is used to resolve issues such as constipation, fever, and malaria.
8. Tapioca
Tapioca is the starch extracted from cassava roots. It has gained popularity as a gluten-free option in place of wheat and other grains.
There is a lot of disagreement on its nutritional value and health benefits. It is mainly comprised of carbs and contains little or no protein, fiber, or other nutrients. While some claim it is healthy, others say that it has no health advantages.
9. Taramosalata
Taramosalata is a creamy and smooth fish roe-based dip served with a meze platter. A traditional taramasalata is made from olive oil, lemon juice, fish roe, grated onions, and bread. Taramosalata is full of the umami flavor, where the fish roe gives it a salty flavor, and lemon adds the zingy freshness, paired with the creaminess from the oil. In terms of nutrition and has three times more than hummus.
10. Taro
Taro is also known as eddo or dasheen. The plant is native to Southeast Asia and is a root vegetable with brown skin and white flesh. The texture of taro is starchy and like a potato, but it is on the sweeter side with a nutty aftertaste. Taro is also known as the “potato of the tropic” and is crispier when baked or fried than sweet potatoes.
11. Tarte Tatin
Tarte Tatin is a popular upside-down apple tart invented by the Tatin sisters and first served in their restaurant. This French sweet dish is prepared by covering the bottom of a shallow baking dish with sugar and butter, followed by apples and then the pastry. When the tart is baked, the sugar caramelizes. The dish is then turned over and the sugar becomes the top part of the tart. The name given to this sweet and caramel invention is “Tarte des demoiselles Tatin”, which means that tart of two unmarried sisters, the Tatin twins.
12. Tea
Tea is an aromatic hot beverage that is usually prepared by pouring steaming hot water over tea leaves or young buds. It remains the second most popular beverage across the globe after water and is said to have originated in the continents of Asia and Africa.
The first tea consumption is said to have happened in the 10th Century in China. During the Portuguese exploration, it then traveled to the far east and west. By the 18th century, it had become a pastime for different social classes. It has become Britain’s national drink.
13. Tempe
Tempe is a popular fermented food that hails from Indonesia and is considered a cheap form of protein. Tempe is also known as a superfood and is a soy-based protein. The process of preparing tempe is a time-old tradition and usually involves several steps of fermentation.
Tempe can be deep-fried, pan-fried, boiled, steamed, grilled, and simmered. It is a great choice for those planning to shift to or are already on a plant-based diet. This rich protein staple can be added to your everyday diet and salads as a flavorsome alternative to meat.
14. Tempura
Tempura refers to popular Japanese food where each item is slightly battered and then deep-fried. In typical Japanese restaurants, you can eat vegetable or seafood tempura. The simple tempura batter contains eggs, flour, and iced water. Ready-made tempura mix is available in stores but making your own batter at home is also not a very time-consuming or taxing task.
15. Terasi
Terasi is a fermented shrimp paste native to Indonesia and has a long history on Java Island. It is made with finely crushed shrimp then mixed with salt; the paste is then fermented for several weeks. Terasi has a pungent stench and is typically served with sambal terasi and other Indonesian food, such as gado-gado.
16. Teriyaki
Teriyaki is Japanese food that is cooked with a high glaze of soy sauce and sake. For added flavor, garlic and ginger are added to the mix. As Japanese cuisine became westernized, people started using Teriyaki in several marinades, and as a basting sauce.
17. Tinapa
Tinapa is a Filipino term for fish stored through the process of smoking. It is a native delicacy of the Philippines, usually made with blackfin scad. Tinapa can also refer to canned meat, known as a tapa.
The process of making tinapa has two stages: brining the fish to give it a salty taste, and then smoking. This popular dish can be found at street vendors all across the Philippines.
18. Tinumok
Tinumok is a Bicolano dish, a mixture of chopped coconut flesh, and shrimp wrapped in gabi or taro leaves and then cooked in coconut milk. The first bite of tinumok gives you a sweet and salty flavor, but later, you will find it to be a bit salty. The dish can be paired with boiled rice to balance out the saltiness. Tinumok traditionally is made of shrimp, but it can also be made with meat or chicken.
19. Tiramisu
Tiramisu is as elegant as its name. The popular Italian dessert is made with a layer of ladyfinger biscuits, mascarpone, eggs, wine, and an espresso shot. Tiramisu means “pick me up” and is a unique blend of cocoa and espresso. Like every other Italian meal, Italian desserts are crafted with exquisite delicacy and precision.
20. Toast
Toast is sliced bread which is crisped and browned with heat from a toaster or the oven. Toasted bread is crispy and flavorful, but it also retains toppings without the bread getting soggy.
Toast is a common breakfast option and is usually served with marmalade, jam, or butter spread over it for flavor. It is used in several other forms as well, for example, in sandwiches, as a part of Eggs on Toast, to make croutons, as sprinkle butter toast with cinnamon, and to make breadcrumbs.
21. Tocino
The term tocino comes from Spain, but the dish is a Philippines native where tocino refers to sweet and cured meat. The dish is traditionally made with pork and sometimes with chicken or beef. The meat is cut into slices and dipped in a spice blend that contains sugar, vinegar, soya sauce, pineapple, or orange juice. After that, the meat is lightly pan-fried and served with a side of rice.
22. Tofu
Tofu is the most common source of protein in plant-based diets and cuisine. It originated in China and is made of condensed soy milk, then pressed into small white blocks in a process that is very similar to cheese. This alternative to meat is high in protein and consists of all the amino acids a human body needs, making it, hence a very healthy alternative if you follow a plant-based diet.
23. Tomato
Tomatoes are fruits commonly considered vegetables, and form part of our daily cuisine. They can come in various colors, including ripe red, green, and yellow. Tomatoes are used in almost every form in every type of cuisine. For example, thinly sliced and raw tomato is thinly sliced to be used as a garnish or and in salads. Chopped tomatoes are used in curries, tomato pastes, and in different types of sauces. Fresh tomatoes are readily available throughout the year and can be easily sourced to be added to your next dish.
24. Tonkotsu
Tonkotsu means pork bone and is the main ingredient for a tonkotsu ramen soup. The soup is boiled for several hours, so it is rich and cloudy. It consists of an extremely condensed pork stew, noodles, soft-yolk eggs, and some pork belly cooked to perfection. This unique ramen is usually garnished with colorful scallions and bamboo for a nutty flavor. If you love ramen, you are likely to get addicted to Tonkotsu.
25. Tortellini
Tortellini is the ring-shaped pasta that is normally typically filled with meat, and cheese and served in a broth. This type of pasta is not only loved in Italy but is popular across the globe. The stuffing inside of tortellini can differ according to personal taste. Tortellini belongs to the stuffed pasta family, which includes ravioli and manicotti.
26. Tortilla
These popular tortillas are corn or wheat flour flatbread. They are used throughout Latin America and are commonly associated with Mexican cuisine. Tortillas are a key ingredient in dishes such as tacos, enchiladas, quesadillas, and burritos. Stale tortillas are even fried into chips or used to prepare the tortilla soup. The first ones to work with corn were the Armenians, and they have been making tortillas for centuries now.
27. Tournedos Rossini
Tournedos Rossini, or Beef Rossini, is a classic beefsteak in France. This decadent dish is created by pan-searing a beef filet mignon in butter and is then served on a crouton. Variations of Tournedos also include the filet being wrapped in pork or being topped with slices of truffles for a more a luxurious experience. Typically, Madeira sauce is also served with the Rossini, which takes hours to prepare and is also termed as “the great sauce” in French cuisine.
28. Tourtière
Tourtière is a meat pie named after the pan it was made in. The filling of the pie typically consists of pork, and other types of meats, including the local game such as pheasant or rabbit. Tourtière is served as a part of réveillon, a Christmas Eve feast that takes place following the Midnight Mass.
29. Toyomansi
Toyomansi is a combined form of soy sauce and calamansi. The salt and acid make a great combination and fresh lemon juice can be used in place of calamansi. Crushed chilies can also be added to this sauce to give it more heat. This Philippines special sauce is enjoyed with steamed okra, and shomai.
30. Trail Mix
Trail mix is one of the USA’s most popular snacks. The mix is flavorful and portable and, it’s something that can be mixed be customized according to as per personal taste and preferences. This snack mix base is dried fruit, granola, nuts, and seeds. Because it is packed with nutrients, it is an excellent source of protein and a way to ward off hunger pangs.
31. Tremella Mushrooms
Tramello Mushrooms, also known as the white snow, have been used in Chinese medicines for centuries. These edible wild mushrooms are said to have several beneficial properties. Even though a complete nutritional profile of these tremella mushrooms is still being researched, adding them to your diet helps add fiber which lowers risks such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
32. Trifle
Trifle consists of multiple layers of combined cakes, pudding, and fruit. This delicious dessert has been around for decades and is a perfect rescue if you have had a disaster while baking. The traditional version of the trifle was made in England in the 18th century. It consists of pudding, a cake sponge soaked in alcohol, and some fruits. The cakes are also adorned with a layer of jelly and whipped cream.
With time, the desert has experienced several evolutions and has become slightly less complicated. For example, the American Trifle contains cake cubes, custard, and some fruit.
33. Truffles
Truffles are one of the most prized and luxurious ingredients used in culinary art as they are rare to find and have a fantastic flavor profile. They are used sparingly in fine dining dishes such as pasta and risotto. Truffles can only be found seasonally, making them expensive yet more sought. Botanically truffles are a part of the mushroom family and grow naturally along the root of trees. Because of their flavor, aroma, and rarity, these remain one of the most expensive food items. Do you like to add the flavor-rich, difficult-to-source truffles in your pasta?
34. Tsukune
Tsukune is Japanese-style meatballs. The ground meat in these meatballs can be chicken, pork, or fish; however, chicken is the favorite. The meatballs, the star of the dish, are served with yakitori sauce. This sauce has a fantastic umami flavor and sweetness, garlic freshness, vinegar, and sweet cooking wine.
35. Tteokbokki
Tteokbokki is spicy Korean rice cakes. The South Korean dish usually consists of stir-fried rice cakes topped with a sweet red chili sauce and served with fish. As one of the most popular dishes in Korea, Tteokbokki can be found at the country’s street vendors. Tteokbooki originated in the Joseon Dynasty and was said to be a royal food item.
36. Tuna
Tuna is one of the most popular fish eaten around the globe. Tuna can be eaten in canned and fresh forms. Tuna loins are usually eaten raw or lightly seared with minimum seasoning. On the other hand, canned tuna has been cooked for a very long time can be served with a heavy dressing. Common types of tuna include skipjack, albacore, yellowfin, bluefin, and bigeye.
37. Turmeric
Turmeric is a spice commonly used in South Asian and Indian cuisine. It is an essential part of the curry powder and many other spice blends. If a spice blend has a yellow color, that usually means that turmeric has been used.
Turmeric powder is made from the root of the turmeric plant and has several health benefits. A specific compound in the powder, curcumin, can counter inflammation. This is why turmeric is becoming more popular as a cooking ingredient. If you’d want to add the beneficial powder to your dishes, we recommend you do so sparingly because it has a strong taste. Turmeric is best used in curries, stews, soups, and Indian-inspired meals.
38. Tzatziki
Tzatziki is a Greek condiment prepared using fresh yogurt, cucumber, and olive oil. The sauce goes amazingly well with Greek chicken, kebabs, and gyros. The recipe varies as per the region, but it is mainly served as a part of a mezze in Greece.
Tzatziki serves the same purpose as raita in Indian cuisine, in which the yogurt sauce is used to chill down the spices.
