Food that starts with A

Ais forAbalone

An abalone is a very large sea snail. Abalones are a different shape to most snails - they have a wide, flat shell. You can still see the spiral shape in their shell. Abalones are caught and eaten as food, and their shells are used to make jewellery.

Molluscs, Food

Photo by Giovanni Collazo

Ais forAbsinthe

Absinthe is a very strong liqueur that is made with wormwood and other herbs.

Drinks

Photo by Jenny Downing

Ais forAle

Ale is a similar drink to beer but is darker, heavier and more bitter. In some countries, ale is simply another word for beer.

Drinks

Photo by Harsha K R

Ais forAlmond

Scientific name: prunus dulcis

The almond is the seed inside the fruit of the almond tree. Almond trees grow up to 10 metres tall. They are related to plums, cherries and apricots. Most people think of almonds as a nut, not the seed of a fruit. Almonds can be eaten raw or roasted and salted, or used in cooking cakes and puddings.

Nuts & Seeds

Photo by derek visser

Ais forAmaranth

Scientific name: genus: amaranthus

Amaranths are a large group of plants that include some fast-growing weeds. Some varieties of amaranth, particularly the grain amaranth, grow a large crop of highly-nutritious seeds, and are sometimes referred to as the 'crop of the future'. Some species of amaranth have edible leaves and can be cooked or eaten raw as a salad vegetable.

Food, Plants

Photo by stu_spivack

Ais forAnchovy

Scientific name: family: engraulidae

Anchovies are small, oily fish that are usually preserved in brine and matured. This process gives them a very strong flavour. Anchovies are used on pizza, on Caesar salad and as an ingredient in numerous other dishes. They are one of the main ingredients of Worcestershire Sauce.

Fish, Food

Photo by Michael McCauslin

Ais forAnise

Scientific name: pimpinella anisum

Anise or aniseed is a small plant related to fennel and celery. It is grown for its seeds, which have a similar taste to liquorice. It is a different plant to star anise.

Herbs & Spices, Plants

Photo by Dan Foy

Ais forApple (fruit)

Scientific name: malus domestica

Video: view

The apple is the fruit of the apple tree. Apple trees are small deciduous trees growing to around 5-12 metres high. Apples may be red, yellow or green. You can eat all of the apple except the core in the middle, which is full of seeds.

Fruit, Plants

Photo by Kathy Kimpel

Ais forApricot

Scientific name: prunus armeniaca

The apricot is a small, soft, sweet orange fruit closely related to the plum. You can eat the fruit fresh or dried, and apricots can also be made into jam.

Stone fruit

Photo by Pizzodisevo

Ais forArtichoke

Scientific name: cynara cardunculus

Globe artichokes are a type of thistle. The edible part of the artichoke is the young flowerbud. Artichokes are usually boiled in salted water until they are tender. In some countries they are deep fried.

Vegetables, Plants