Not on my Budget Quiz | Food & Drink

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Beluga caviar has been enjoyed by elite members of society for many years. From which type fish is typical Beluga caviar taken?

Answer: Sturgeon

Many people think that the Beluga caviar is taken from the Beluga whale. The term "Beluga" simply refers to the Russian word meaning "white", and the Beluga whale is not the producer of the fine roe known as Beluga caviar.
The Beluga sturgeon is an anadromous fish which means it moves from the salt water where it normally lives to the fresh water where it spawns its eggs. The salmon is a common anadromous fish as is the striped bass, smelt and shad.
Beluga caviar can be seen priced anywhere from two to three thousand US dollars per pound, but lesser grades can be obtained at lower prices.

2. The white truffle is one of the more expensive foods found on the planet. Some white truffles have sold at over two thousand US dollars per pound, so many of us will never get the chance to indulge in this delicacy. What type of food is a truffle?

Answer: Fungus

The truffle is an edible fungus that typically grows in Italy, although it is grown in other locations. The white truffle is the most desirable of all truffles with black and burgundy truffles also popular.
White truffles are often sliced thin and served over pasta or in egg dishes. Sometimes, truffles can be inserted into different cheeses and meats to enhance the flavor. Also, truffle oil is used as to simulate the flavor of truffles, but the oil actually is not made from truffles at all.

3. In the United States, the term Kobe beef has become synonymous with an expensive grade of meat. In fact, it's a cross-breed between a high grade Angus cattle with a high grade Japanese breed. What is the name of the Japanese cattle?

Answer: Wagyu

Wagyu cattle are of some of the most pampered animals on the planet. Daily massages and a diet that consists of sake and beer ensures that the meat is finely marbled and extremely tender. In Japan, there are four grades of wagyu beef: Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Polled and Japanese Shorthorn.

A poll of several specialty meat market websites routinely shows wagyu beef in excess of $100 (US) per pound for certain cuts of the tasty beef.

4. One of the most expensive spices on the market is saffron. Saffron can be used in food preparation, it has some medicinal benefits and it can be used industrially as a dye or as an aromatic. What color would you expect a dish featuring saffron to exhibit?

Answer: Yellow

It takes a very large field of saffron flowers to produce just one pound of the spice, so that's a main reason why it costs so much. Lower grade bulk saffron can be as high as $500 (US) per pound while higher grade saffron trades at up to ten times that amount. I was once fortunate to spend some time in the Middle East where saffron is a very popular spice in their staple dishes. One of my favorites was a lamb meatball infused with saffron smothered in a saffron curry. Very tasty indeed!

5. Ever hear the expression that some things are only worth peanuts? Well, these nuts are a bit pricier than the standard peanut. Commonly grown in Hawaii and Australia, what is the name of the nut that is considered to be one of the costliest in the world?

Answer: Macadamia

Macadamia nuts are pretty costly at approximately $15-20 (US) per pound, several times more costly than the standard peanut. Macadamia nuts are grown in several locations around the world, about 40% of the world's production occurs in Australia while Hawaii is a distant second.
As a side note, macadamia nuts should never be given to dogs as they are toxic to dogs. Macadamia toxicosis is a condition in dogs which could lead to weakness, paralysis and violent stomach illness. Usually, death does not occur, particularly if treated with opiates, but it is a possibility.

6. One of the most expensive beers in the world can only be found in a pub named Bierodrome in which European city?

Answer: London

The beer is named Vieille Bon Secours and it is only served at the Bierodrome pub in London. The beer sells for approximately $1,000 (US) a bottle - which, however, contains 12 litres of beer. The American beer company, Sam Adams, makes a beer titled Utopias which serves for about $100 (US) for a 24 ounce bottle.

7. Jamon iberico is one of the most expensive hams available. In which country would you most likely find restaurants serving this meat?

Answer: Spain

In order for this ham to be classed a jamon iberico (translated as Iberian ham), the meat must come from the black Iberian pig, or a cross bred animal with at least 75% Iberian lineage. These particular pigs are fed a special diet which assists in the development of the meat to a certain flavor and consistency. Once the pigs are slaughtered, the meat is cured for at least 12 months, but some slaughterhouses cure theirs for between 48 to 60 months.

8. This large fish is routinely setting records for being the most expensive. At recent auction, a 539 pound fish sold for roughly $736,000 in US dollars. What species of fish is it?

Answer: Bluefin tuna

Bluefin tuna is so expensive because it is so rare. Because the fatty belly meat is so desirable for use in sushi restaurants, the fish is endangered. There are many activist groups around the world who have banded together to help protect the species from becoming extinct.

9. I've heard people order foie gras in fancy restaurants, but never knew what it was until recently. What in the world is foie gras?

Answer: Duck liver

Foie gras is the liver of a duck that has been overfed using a gavage. A gavage is a feeding tube that is usually used to feed those who are unable to eat naturally. Many animal rights groups protest the eating of foie gras because the force feeding of the ducks is considered to be cruel.

Many countries have now banned the use of force feeding the ducks, so the foie gras available isn't as fatty or tasty as the traditional French foie gras, nor is it as expensive.

10. Popping the cork on a nice bottle of Dom Perignon champagne can set you back anywhere from $100 to $10,000 (US) depending on the vintage you purchase. Dom Perignon continues to be one of the more popular champagnes on the market today. Is it true that the French monk Dom Perignon invented champagne?

Answer: No

English scientist Christopher Merret was the first to actually produce sparkling wines, but the work by Dom Perignon to perfect the process has forever linked his name to the drink. Dom Perignon was a Benedictine French monk who helped prevent the sparkling wine from refermenting in the bottle which would lessen the bubbles. By perfecting this bottling technique, the champagne would never become flat in the warmer months.

Although he was a pioneer in the advancement of champagne bottling techniques, he did not invent the drink.

Source: Author ralzzz

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

Not on my Budget Trivia Quiz

Some of these foods may appeal to the more luxurious palates, but not mine, not on my budget. These foods are generally accepted as some of the more expensive selections available.

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