Foods Often Mispronounced

Question 1

Açai berry

Answer 1

ah-sah-ee: blueberry-like fruit originally from Brazil and Peru, blended into smoothies and sold in bowls with bananas, strawberries, chia seeds, and shredded coconut.

Question 2

Anise

Answer 2

a-nuhs: licorice-flavored spice (otherwise known as aniseed) similar to fennel, used to flavor food and alcoholic drinks such as Greek ouzo, French absinthe, and Italian sambuca. Black jelly beans are sometimes flavored with anise, as are chocolate-covered aniseed balls. In the Netherlands, the Dutch sprinkle sugar-coated anise over bread for the dessert muisjes. In Mexico, anise is sometimes used to flavor atole, a hot, creamy drink similar to horchata.

Question 3

Bruschetta

Answer 3

Broo-sket-ta is an Italian antipasto (appetizer) made with round slices of bread rubbed with oil, salt, and sometimes garlic, with an infinite combination of possible toppings: cured meats, mozzarella, basil, tomatoes or honey, peaches, goat cheese, and figs.

Question 4

Ciabatta

Answer 4

cha-bhat-ta: Italian white bread with a light, airy texture and crisp, dense crust.

Question 5

Crudité

Answer 5

crew-di-tay: Crudités is a French word that means “raw things”. It’s pronounced “crew-deh-tay” and refers to a French appetizer of raw vegetables served with a dipping sauce or vinaigrette. Crudités can include celery sticks, carrot sticks, cucumber sticks, bell pepper strips, broccoli, cauliflower, fennel, baby corn, and asparagus spears. While Ranch is the most popular dressing for crudité in America, more sophisticated dips include spinach and artichoke dip or hummus.

Question 6

Gyro

Answer 6

yee-roh: meat (combination of beef and lamb) cooked as a block of meat, slices are cut while it cooks on a vertical rotisserie, served wrapped or stuffed in pita bread, typically served with onions and tomatoes and served with tzatziki sauce.

Question 7

Tzatziki

Answer 7

tsah-see-key: made with salted yogurt mixed with cucumber, garlic, salt, and olive oil. Sometimes lemon juice, dill, mint, or parsley are also added. Popular in Greece and the Middle East, it is a dipping sauce for vegetables and gyros. In Greece, tzatziki is often served alongside meat dishes with pita bread.

Question 8

Gnocchi

Answer 8

nyohk-kee: soft, doughy dumplings are a type of Italian pasta commonly made with potatoes.

Question 9

Cacao (not ca-kay-oh)

Answer 9

Kah-🐄`cow: Cacao is mainly cultivated in Indonesia, Africa, and Central America. Cacao seeds can be eaten raw, but they are dried and fermented and most famous as the basis for chocolate.

Question 10

Lychee

Answer 10

lai-chee
This sweet, bulbous fruit is native to China a common flavor for tea and cocktails like Martinis, Mimosas, and Mojitos. The flavor is distinctly tart and floral, and is often compared to rose water and pears.

Question 11

Mascarpone

Answer 11

mas-car-po-nay: part savory, part sweet Italian cream cheese is made with heavy cream and either vinegar or lemon juice. Mascarpone is famous for the creamy layers in tiramisu.

Question 12

Niçoise

Answer 12

nee-swaz: French salad is traditionally made with olives, anchovies, a hard-boiled egg, and tomatoes. Capers and tuna are sometimes added as well. Some believe the salad should be comprised primarily of tomatoes and dressed only with olive oil.

Question 13

Phở

Answer 13

fuh ; a Vietnamese soup made with broth, rice noodles, and meat. It’s typically made with beef bones, but can also include chicken or plant-based protein. Pho is often served with bean sprouts, herbs, limes, chiles, and other garnishes.

Question 14

Prosciutto

Answer 14

proh-shoot-toh: dry-cured Italian ham

Question 15

Rooibos

Answer 15

roy-biss: an herb for black tea. The deep, rich red tea is sometimes compared to hibiscus, with an earthy taste. It is a gentler, smoother alternative to other stronger caffeinated black teas.

Question 16

Worcestershire (not wors-turh-shire)

Answer 16

woos-turh-shur/woos-turh-sheer: fermented sauce

Question 17

Fusilli (fuˈzilli)

Answer 17

Fusilli is a type of pasta that is shaped like a corkscrew or helix.

Question 18

Bolognese

Question 19

Matcha (`mah-chuh)

Answer 19

(ˈmä-chə)Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from shade-grown tea leaves that are picked, steamed, and dried, then ground into a fine powder. Like green tea, matcha is high in antioxidants, including catechins, which may help prevent cell damage and lower your risk of certain diseases.

Question 20

Vichyssoise
vee-shee-SWHAZ

Answer 20

A thick, smooth soup made from potatoes, leeks, onions, cream, and chicken stock. It’s usually served cold and garnished with chopped chives.

Question 21

scallions

Answer 21

green onion

Question 22

shallots

Question 23

What Is Spanish Sofrito

Answer 23

Sofrito is a Spanish sauce that consists of tomato paste, olive oil, onions, garlic, herbs, and peppers. Sofrito, which means “to lightly fry,” forms the aromatic flavor base for a range of Spanish recipes.