This may have happened to you: You ask for an item on the menu, then the server gives
you a look like you've butchered the pronunciation. Embarrassing, right? Well, help is on the
way. Here are some food names that are commonly mispronounced and the key to saying them correctly.
Sriracha is a Thai hot sauce you see basically everywhere, thanks to its mouthwatering combination
of chili peppers and garlic. It has notes of sweet, sour, and salty, and a heat level
that's just friendly enough to make it truly versatile.
The first "R" in the word is not pronounced at all. The sauce is thought to have originated
in the Thai town of Si Racha , which takes its name from Sanskrit for "glory to our king".
For real authenticity, each syllable should carry a separate emphasis. Though most Americans
say "sih-RAH-chuh," the experts point out the correct pronunciation in the documentary
named for the famous sauce.
Acai berries are a fruit harvested from a type of palm tree that grows in Central and
South America. The dark berries look like oversized blueberries and are the current
darling of smoothie enthusiasts. Acai has a rich taste you'll often see featured in
bottled juice blends and touted for their superfood status. The berries' antioxidants
are thought to help fight cholesterol, promote weight loss and much more.
The way "acai" is spelled might tempt you to pronounce the name of this fruit "uh-kay"
or "ah-ky," but the "c" is soft.
Worcestershire, a fermented savory sauce of vinegar, anchovies, molasses, tamarind, and
spices may have its roots in India or Ancient Rome, but it became famous when it was produced
and bottled in the town of Worcester in the county of Worcestershire, England. It adds
a salty umami depth to soups, stews, chili, or a perfect grilled cheese sandwich. It's
also a common ingredient in Caesar salad and Bloody Mary cocktails.
The name only has three syllables. In the UK, the sauce is also commonly referred to
as "Worcester sauce," so you could even shorten it down to two syllables.
"Wor-sest-uhr-suh-shy-ree? Now that sounds fancy." "It's Worcestershire."
Paczki are Polish filled donuts made with a dense, egg-enriched dough. The filling is
usually a fruit jam, but custard and cream versions are also common. Like pancakes, they
are traditionally enjoyed by many on the last day before Lent, as a way to use up fat and
sugar before fasting. The secret ingredient is just a little alcohol, which stops the
donuts from becoming too oily during frying.
To most eyes, the spelling of paczki offers few clues to the pronunciation, so just remember
it's pretty close to "punch key." Also: paczki is plural. Just one is a "paczek."
Gyros are a combination of lamb and beef that's ground, seasoned, and pressed together. The
mixture is then cooked rotisserie style. After cooking, the meat is suspended on a pole so
it can be spun while thin slices are shaved from it for sandwiches and meal platters,
often served with pita bread.
The "g" is not pronounced at all, so if you've been doing that, you can lay down that burden.
"Good news. Gyro guy's back."
Beignets are fried dough fritters, made from a delicate yeast dough and fried in hot oil
until they puff up to become light-as-air doughnuts. When they're ready, they're topped
with a heavy dusting of powdered sugar. Beignets are famous in New Orleans, but their history
goes back to Ancient Rome. New Orleans beignets have been an icon of the French Market coffee
scene since Cafe du Monde started serving them in 1862.
Like in many words of French origin, some of the consonants — the "g" and the "t,"
specifically — are not pronounced. Just think of how you'll say "yay" when you get
to have some beignets.
Gnocchi are soft dumplings served with fresh sauces and grated cheese, usually made with
riced potatoes, and popular in Italy as an alternative to pasta. Before potatoes came
to Europe, gnocchi were most likely made with flour or even breadcrumbs.
Don't pronounce the "g." The name likely comes from the Italian for a knot in wood, a "nocchio,"
like in Pinocchio. Gnocchi is also the plural; a single piece is a gnoccho.
A fish stew from the Provence region of France, bouillabaisse is set apart from other regional
fish soups and stews by the fennel, orange, and saffron that flavor the broth. The Mediterranean
dish can include a variety of fish from eel and halibut, to sole and whiting, to shellfish
like mussels, crab, and lobster.
The two "l's" combine into a "y" sound, as you'll often find in French words when they're
preceded by an "i." So if you pronounce them as "l" sounds, lt will totally give away that
you've never been to Provence.
If you love licorice, you'll like anise, sometimes called aniseed. The tiny seeds come from an
herb plant of the same name, and are used to flavor both savory and sweet dishes, including
biscotti and sausage. Anise is also the distinct taste in ouzo, the popular Greek liqueur and
other licorice liqueurs like pernod and sambuca.
You might hear someone pronounce it as "ah-niece", but the "i" is soft. Now you can order up
these spices like a pro.
There's an art to eating a bowl of Pho, a popular Vietnamese noodle soup. Don't overdo
the condiments, or you'll miss the essence of the special broth that the abundant helping
of rice noodles and succulent pieces of meat are swimming in. The bone broth has nuanced
spices such as star anise and cinnamon. The bowl is often garnished with a big pile of
fresh herbs and vegetables that include green onions, cilantro, basil, slices of fresh hot
peppers, bean sprouts, and lime wedges.
Don't let a long "o" try to sneak its way into your pronunciation. It's got no business
there whatsoever. Just cut it off.
"At least, we can enjoy one of their finest achievements, Pho."
"Pho?"
Grind fresh coffee beans super fine and send a quick, high-pressure shot of steaming hot
water through them and you've got espresso. Espresso isn't made with a special type of
coffee bean. The water pressure and the size of the grind are what make it possible. These
miniature cups of intense coffee have a rich, foamy head on top called the crema, and, contrary
to popular belief, contain less caffeine than a regular cup of coffee.
There's no "x" in "espresso." In English, we say "express," but in the Italian version
of the word, the "x" is an "s."
The bright red fruit atop a sundae always beckons so enticingly. While they may start
out innocently enough when they are picked from the tree, maraschino cherries undergo
a process of bleaching, dying and curing in high fructose corn syrup to achieve their
shiny, bright look.
You might want to say "mair-uh-shee-noh," but don't. The "sch" actually makes a "k"
sound.
And before you get all triggered and start posting in the comments, we’re talking the
true pronunciation - as in the Italian word. Yes, in the US you’ll often hear the “shee”
syllable, but back in the old world it is indeed maraschino.
Poke
Poke is a Hawaiian dish of seasoned and marinated raw fish, similar to Japanese sashimi. It's
usually made with ahi tuna, though octopus is also a common ingredient. Poke has grown
in popularity as a protein-rich alternative to a salad, often served on a bed of grains
or greens.
From the Hawaiian word meaning "chunk," the word is pronounced as if there were an acute
accent over the "e," like in Pokémon. It otherwise has no connection to Pokémon, by
the way.
Raita is a creamy condiment that combines yogurt, cucumber, and cumin, and is a mainstay
in Indian cuisine. It plays the role of a cooling palate cleanser eaten between tastes
of other boldly flavored or spicy dishes.
It's only two syllables, and the "ai" diphthong creates a long "i" sound. Remember that, and
you're sure to get it right-uh.
Fresh turmeric looks a lot like a dark version of ginger on the outside. Inside however,
its deep orange color is revealed. The spice is enjoying a moment in the spotlight due
to the potential antioxidant benefits of curcumin, a compound found within. Researchers are studying
turmeric and curcumin's effect on heart disease, cancer, Alzheimers, and more.
The preferred pronunciation includes both "r's." But don't feel bad if you've been saying
"too-muh-rick." Lots of people do it, even professionals.
"I brought my own salad dressing."
"You really can't be doing that."
"This is the last time, I promise. It contains extra virgin olive oil, a little bit of lemon,
and a hint of too-mair-ik."
If you've got an old, tough chicken that needs to be cooked, coq au vin is the ticket. It
will turn what might otherwise be a failure into a dinner of fall-off-the-bone tender
chicken and vegetables, infused with the flavors of its wine braising liquid. This French dish,
which literally translates from French as “rooster with wine”, is prepared with
mushrooms, bacon, onions, and carrots.
Just remember that "coq au vin" is three French words. And really, if you went with VAN instead
of the VAH sound, a Frenchmen probably wouldn’t completely shame you - just don’t use Vin.
And though it may be helpful to know the words for "rooster" and "with," the most important
to remember is definitely "vin," the word for "wine."
Rooibos is an herbal tea made from a South African plant. The name means "red bush" in
Afrikaans, and though the plant isn't especially red, the dried oxidized leaves are a reddish-brown
color. It's naturally caffeine-free, making it a popular alternative for anyone trying
to avoid or cut back on caffeine.
Don't be fooled into saying "roo-ee-bohs." Also, the word is sometimes spelled with a
"ch" on the end, but it's still pronounced "boss", not "bosh."
Jicama is the starchy, edible root of a Mexican vine, sometimes called the Mexican potato
or the Mexican yam. It's similarly versatile, with a sweet, nutty flavor, and it's popular
in both Latin American and Asian cuisines. It can be used for just about anything you'd
use potatoes for, including chips and fries. It can also be eaten raw.
The name is Spanish, so non-Spanish speakers may want to think of that "j" as an "h."
Foie Gras is the liver of a goose or duck, fattened up to make it especially buttery.
The liver is enlarged to up to ten times its normal size by force-feeding. Many consumers
condemn that practice as a form of animal abuse, though there's some debate as to whether
the animals actually suffer. Some attempts have been made to produce foie gras without
force feeding, but it's hard to come by.
The name is French for "fat liver." Drop the "s" and rhyme the syllables.
Dulce de leche is a sweet, sticky caramel spread made by slowly heating condensed milk
to caramelize the sugars. The name literally means "sweet from milk."
The word uses the Latin American pronunciation of "dulce", with a soft "c," rather than the
European Spanish "ch" sound, as it's believed to have originated in Argentina.
You probably know this hard Italian cheese with a crystalline structure and a strong
salty flavor, made from grass- and hay-fed cows' milk that's collected at night and skimmed
in the morning.
The correct pronunciation, Parmesan, is actually a bit controversial; it's the French name
for an Italian cheese, so it should carry the French pronunciation. Italian immigrants
living in North America may explain why it's often pronounced "Par-mi-zhahn," echoing the
correct pronunciation of the Italian name "Parmigiano."
"Founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1772. Undoubtedly a great man's greatest accomplishment."
"Are you aware he helped popularize parmesan cheese in America?"
Bruschetta are small toasted breads. They're typically rubbed with garlic and brushed with
olive oil, then cooked over coals or in the oven until lightly charred. Bruschetta can
be served plain, but are often served with toppings like chopped tomatoes and basil or
sauteed mushrooms.
Many people say "brew-shet-ta," which is fine at the Olive Garden. But if you're roaming
around Tuscany and you want to fit in with the locals, you might do well to know that
the "ch' is pronounced as a "k" sound.
In Brazil, a caipirinha is the cocktail you're practically required to drink. It's made with
the country's national liquor, cachaça, as well as limes, sugar, and ice. Muddling limes
for the drink releases the juices and essential oils and brings a very forward citrus flavor.
Watch out though: these tasty, bright cocktails pack an unexpectedly potent punch.
If you're having trouble ordering one, break it up into syllables, remembering that the
last "i" has a long "e" sound, and the last "ha" is pronounced "yah," not "ha."
Bahn mi combines the Vietnamese and French food traditions. A French baguette is the
inspiration for the soft-on-the inside, crusty-on-the-outside loaf the sandwich is built on. Pate is one
traditional meat filling for the sandwich, but almost any roasted meat can be used. The
Vietnamese part is the vegetables. Pickled carrots, daikon radishes, cucumbers and cilantro
are piled on top of the meat and bring A distinct, tangy-sweet flavor.
Avoid saying "Ban-my" if you order one. Just remember it sounds pretty close to "bun me."
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