Delicacy

Wild Iranian Ossetra Caviar, ready to serve with mother-of-pearl spoons and Champagne.

A delicacy is a food item that is considered highly desirable in certain cultures. Often this is because of unusual flavors or characteristics or because it is rare.

Delicacies are different across different countries and ages. Flamingo tongue was a highly prized dish in ancient Rome, but is not eaten at all in modern times. Lobsters were considered poverty food in North America until the mid-19th century, when they started being treated as they were in Europe - a delicacy. Some delicacies are confined to a certain culture, such as fugu in Japan, bird's nest soup (made out of swiftlet nests) in China and ant larvae (escamoles) in Mexico.

Examples

Black Périgord Truffle

• Caviar, a gourmet delicacy
• Champagne
• Raw oysters
• Foie gras
• Escargot
• Haggis
• Truffles
• Vintage fine wine
• Sea cucumber
• Black headed gull eggs