There are so many amazing foods that start with the letter C, it’s hard to figure out where to even begin!
We could talk about cake and cherries, but those are too easy.
How about crab? They’re a favorite for salads and appetizers. But there’s also cauliflower, and carrot – all of which start with “C.” And don’t forget chocolate! It’s one of our favorites because it comes in so many flavors! There’s coconut, caramel…and more! So what do you think: Ready to go explore?
Contents
List of Foods That Start With C
Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese is an American-style cheese that comes from the village of Cheddar in England. It has a sweet, nutty flavor with sharpness coming from aging. It can be eaten alone or used for cooking.
Cashew Nuts
Cashews are smooth, brown nuts. They come from the cashew apple (which is not an apple but another part of the same tree), which grows on large evergreen trees native to Brazil and East India. Although they are often used in sweets, they can also be eaten plain or with salt.
Capulin
Capulin is a small, black-purple cherry. The fruit is used in desserts and for making jam or juice due to its moderate sweetness and tartness. This fruit has been cultivated in North America since the late 1800s and it thrives in hot climates like California and Arizona.
Cereal
Breakfast cereal is a grain-based food that can be eaten as a meal or a snack. It often comes in the form of flakes, which are thin pieces that expand when they come into contact with milk. Cereal is popular for use in breakfast because it’s quick and easy to make – but it can also be eaten as a snack.
Caramel
Caramel is made of sugar that has been cooked to the soft-ball stage, which is approximately 235 degrees Fahrenheit. It is most often used in desserts, but can also be used in savory dishes like caramelized onions.
Chapati
Chapati is a type of flatbread native to South Asia. Chapatis are made from whole grain flour and cooked on a hot griddle. They can be eaten as part of breakfast or dinner, or stored in an airtight container for up to one week for use during the rest of the week.
Chocolate
Chocolate is a food that comes from cocoa beans. Cocoa was first cultivated in South America thousands of years ago, and it’s now grown all over the world – including Ghana, the Ivory Coast, and more. Chocolate can be used to make lots of different foods or eaten on its own.
Celery
Celery is a root vegetable that stalks sometimes resembles the shape of a human’s ribs. It is most often used in savory dishes because it contains very little sugar or starch – but it can be eaten raw or cooked into soups, salads, and more.
Canola Oil
Canola oil is an edible vegetable oil made from rapeseed. It can be found in many forms, including cold-pressed (which means it’s pure and unheated) and refined (which means it’s been treated to remove its strong flavor).
Chaya
This is a leafy vegetable that comes from the chaya plant. It’s most often used in Mexican and Latin American cuisine, where it can be cooked into stews and soups.
Canape
A canape is an hors d’oeuvre that’s eaten while guests are enjoying drinks before dinner. These small, fancy finger foods can be anything from bread topped with cheese to bacon-wrapped scallops. It can also be spelled canapé.
Chickpea
Chickpea is a legume that grows in a slightly curved pod. It can be eaten whole when fresh, or dried and split in half. When dried and split, it has a much stronger flavor but also lasts longer so it’s often used in recipes for soups or hummus.
Cheese
Cheese is a dairy product made from the curds of milk. It comes in a variety of textures and flavors – fresh, hard, soft, blue-veined, shredded…the list goes on! This delicious food can be used in both savory and sweet dishes.
Cajon pea
This legume is very similar to the black-eyed pea. Cajon peas grow in pods that are tan with green stripes, and each pod contains six to 10 peas. They’re native to Latin America and can be used much like black-eyed peas when cooking – they taste mild, so they go well with spicy dishes.
Candy Cane
A candy cane is a popular Christmas decoration that can also be found in candy form. These sweet treats are made from sugar, water, peppermint oil, corn syrup, and food coloring – then shaped into the iconic cane shape. The peppermint flavor comes from actual peppermint oil or artificial flavoring.
Carp
Carp is a fish that’s native to Europe and Asia. It has smooth skin, no scales on its belly, and a forked tail. There are many species of carp – common types include the mirror carp (the most widely farmed), the leather carp (known for its tough skin), and the scaleless carp (which is considered a delicacy).
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a vegetable that comes from the brassica oleracea plant. It has firm flower-like clusters, crunchy stalk, and light green leaves. Cauliflower can be eaten raw, cooked…it’s even used in desserts!
Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper is a hot chili pepper that’s used as a spice in many different cuisines. These peppers originated in Central and South America – and although they’re extremely spicy, people still dry, grind, and eat them. They’re often used to add heat or flavor to dishes.
Cake
A cake is a combination of flour, sugar, eggs…and often other ingredients like butter, baking soda, vanilla extract, etc. Baked goods are often called cakes because they have this same light texture – but some cakes are actually made from things like chocolate mousse or cream cheese instead of the usual batters and doughs.
Calvados
Calvados is a type of hard apple brandy that’s aged in old oak casks. This strong spirit gets its taste from the apples used to make it – and can be found in drinks or desserts.
Carambola
Carambola is a type of sour, star-shaped tropical fruit. It has five ridges and tastes tart and sweet at the same time – like a cross between an orange and a grapefruit! People often use it as a garnish because its shape looks so unique and eye-catching.
Cappuccino
A cappuccino is an Italian coffee beverage that consists of espresso topped with foamed milk. It’s often served in a large cup, which means it can be enjoyed alongside cake or cookies for dipping.
Carrot
A carrot is a crunchy root vegetable that’s orange in color. It belongs to the Apiaceae family – which also includes things like celery, coriander, and anise. Carrots are popular ingredients in dishes around the world because they can be cooked up sweet or savory!
Challah
Challah is a type of egg-rich bread that’s often eaten on Jewish holidays. It’s usually braided and has a soft texture. The flavor is usually very mild – not too sweet or dense like many loaves of bread.
Casserole
A casserole is a type of food that’s cooked in one large dish. It can be savory or sweet, and often features ingredients like pasta, rice, potatoes, meat…and sometimes even canned foods!
Catfish
A catfish is a type of fish that has whiskers and barbels, which are small sensory organs. Catfish can be found in freshwater rivers…and people often fry them up whole or use the meat to create popular dishes like “catfish nuggets.”
Coconut Caramel
Coconut caramel is a creamy, rich candy made from coconut milk and sugar. It has a very distinct taste that’s similar to caramel but with the added flavor of coconut!
Cardamon
A cardamon is an aromatic spice that comes from the seeds of a type of evergreen tree. Similar to cinnamon, these spices are often dried and added to baked goods like cakes or cookies…or even tea!
Caper
A caper is a type of plant that usually grows in Mediterranean climates. It has tall, leafy stalks with small buds at the top – which are called capers. These buds are often pickled or preserved to use as a flavoring or to add texture!
Cabbage
Cabbage is a veggie that comes from the Brassicaceae family. It’s often green and leafy, but can also be purple or white in color! Cabbage is low in calories and carbs and is full of fiber and nutrients.
Cassava
Cassava is a type of starchy root vegetable that’s typically found in tropical countries like Brazil, Nigeria, and Thailand. It has brown skin and pale white insides…and is also known as yuca or manioc.
Crab
Crab is a type of seafood that’s usually found near the ocean. It has a shell and jointed legs – which means it can walk or swim! People typically prepare crabs by frying, steaming, or baking them whole…or using the meat to make dishes like crab cakes.
Cantaloupe
Cantaloupe is a type of fruit that belongs to the cucumber family. It’s round with orange flesh and has small seeds inside, making it similar to a honeydew melon! Cantaloupes are usually eaten raw as a healthy snack…or sliced up for salads or breakfast parfaits.
Cassiri
Cassiri is a traditional drink from Guayana. It’s made from the heart of the cashew apple, which contains an alcoholic juice called “urado.” Cassiri is usually sold as street food or in bars around the region during celebrations (like weddings and New Year’s Eve).
Chicken
Chicken is a type of bird whose meat we often use in food. They’re raised to eat and then slaughtered – and the vast majority are used for their meat, rather than eggs! Chicken is very high in protein and low in fat…and can be prepared in all sorts of ways including frying, baking, grilling, roasting…
Calamari
Calamari is the Italian word for squid – a type of seafood that’s usually served fried. They have eight long tentacles and two longer “arms” on either side, which are used to catch food!
Caraway
Caraway is a type of plant related to dill and fennel. Its seeds are often used as a spice, giving dishes like rye bread and sauerkraut an aromatic flavor. This spice has also been known to treat digestive issues!
Celtuce
Celtuce is a type of lettuce that’s grown by planting individual stalks into the soil. It’s often eaten raw and sliced, giving dishes a crunchy texture. Celtuce is also sometimes braised or cooked long enough to soften it up!
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a type of wine that’s made from grapes harvested in the Burgundy region of France. It has notes of pear, apple, and lemon flavors with hints of oak – making it one of the most popular wines in the world!
Cherries
Cherries are a type of small fruit that belongs to the Rosaceae family. They’re typically red, but also come in yellow and purple varieties. Cherries are often cooked for desserts, preserves, or eaten raw as a healthy snack…and can even be dried!
Chia
Chia is a plant whose seeds we often use as a superfood. They’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants…and have been used for thousands of years by the Aztecs! People often add chia seeds to breakfast dishes or create puddings out of them to get the nutritional benefits.
Cilantro
Cilantro is an herb that’s also known as coriander or Chinese parsley. It has a very strong and fresh flavor that’s often used in Mexican and Asian dishes…and is also added to teas and soaps!
Wrap Up
There are so many foods that start with the letter C, and we’ve barely scratched the surface! In fact, there are hundreds of foods that start with a “C.”
What do you think of this list? I know these lists are usually pretty random but they sure are fun to read. Would you like to see more lists like this- maybe starting with some other letter?