There are a surprising number of black foods in the world. Who would have thought delicious food would be so dark and mysterious!
We wanted to find as many black foods as possible. We searched the globe to find the most interesting, exciting black foods.
If you are looking to create an entire black meal, you have come to the right spot. You could eat black foods for days with this list on hand!
So get your Halloween decor ready, set some candles on the table to set a spooky mood, and give these tasty black foods a try. We know you will love quite a few!
Soft Serve Charcoal Ice Cream
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Black Foods Health Benefits
Before we dive into our list of black foods, we wanted to tell you a bit about the benefits of foods that are naturally black. Foods that are deep purple or black contain lots of antioxidants. Antioxidants can help slow the aging process and keep cells healthy.
Naturally black foods also have high levels of anthocyanins. These are plant pigments that make blueberries blue and black soybeans black!
Anthocyanins are naturally dark in color, and they help prevent oxidation and protect foods from harmful UV rays. They can also help prevent heart disease and diabetes and protect the body from free radical cells.
That deep, rich color really signifies how healthy the food is. Adding black foods to your diet is a fantastic way to stay healthy!
Our Black Food List
Are you ready to discover some healthy, tasty black foods? We bet you are! Let’s get started.
1. Black Rice
Black rice has a very dark husk that is full of anthocyanins. While the outside husk is black, the grain of rice itself is more of a dark brown color.
Black rice tastes similar to brown rice and has about the same amount of fiber. The nutty flavor of the black rice is not only yummy but will also surprise and delight your guests with the dark color.
2. Black Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds grow in various colors, from brown to tan to black. Black sesame seeds are small, flat, and oily. They grow in the fruit pods of the sesamum indicum plant.
Black sesame seeds are high in healthy fats like omega-6. They may reduce the risk of heart disease and even have cancer-fighting properties.
These tiny seeds may even control blood pressure and improve the central nervous system.
3. Black Beans
Black beans are a type of bean with a shiny, black shell. It is typically sold in bulk and can be found either dried or canned.
Black beans are popular in almost every culture. Many Mexican dishes feature black beans in savory foods, while Japanese cuisine often uses black beans as candy.
4. Black Garlic
Black garlic is very popular in Asian cuisine. It is made by fermenting regular garlic bulbs at high temperatures. The result is very strong garlic that is sweet and tastes like balsamic vinegar.
Black garlic is full of allicin which is known to strengthen the body’s immune system. It may increase the body’s defenses against allergens and even the common cold.
5. Black Olives
Black olives are one of the most popular types of olives in the world. When raw, olives are bitter and tart, but they turn sweet and salty if cured.
Black olives are also very healthy. They protect eye health and may boost the immune system thanks to the high vitamin A content. They also have vitamin E, which is a natural antioxidant that promotes healthy skin and prevents cellular aging.
6. Cocoa Powder
Dark chocolate or dark cocoa powder is so deep brown that it looks black. We had to include it on our list of black foods!
Cocoa powder is made by grinding dried cocoa beans. Chocolate is considered a superfood and actually has lots of health benefits. It is known to promote heart health and also has some anticancer properties.
7. Black Forest Mushrooms
Black forest mushrooms are harvested along the Pacific northwest coast. The term refers to several types of mushrooms. Most black mushrooms are shitake or dried black trumpet mushrooms.
8. Black Pasta
Black pasta is typically dyed with cuttlefish ink or squid ink. The ink gives the pasta dough its deep, black color.
Black pasta does not taste much different than traditional pasta. The deep black color has a fantastic impact when served at dinner time!
9. Caviar
Caviar is the pickled roe of a sturgeon fish or other large fish. It is eaten as a delicacy.
Caviar is quite salty and best when served slightly cold. It is often used as a garnish rather than food on its own. It can be very expensive!
10. Black Ice Cream
Black ice cream is made with activated charcoal. Powdered charcoal is mixed with an ice cream base to turn it a deep grey color.
The flavor of the ice cream isn’t affected by the addition of charcoal so the ice cream tastes just as sweet as ever!
11. Black Pepper
Black pepper is on almost every dinner table and in every spice cabinet. The black berries of the pepper plant are harvested when unripe and then dried.
It is one of the most popular spices in the world. It has a little bit of heat that can bring out the flavor in foods.
12. Black Grapes
Black grapes are small, sweet fruits that are such a deep purple. They look black. Black grapes are rich in antioxidants and have been shown to improve cardiovascular health thanks to the component called resveratrol.
Black grapes have anti-cancer properties and may have been shown to help slow the growth of cancer cells. Sounds like we need to grab a bag of black grapes!
13. Black Cumin
Black cumin is a type of spice that comes from the Nigella Sativa plant. It is used to flavor foods, but it is also incredibly nutritious.
Black cumin is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. Consuming black cumin may help to lower cholesterol, aid in blood sugar regulation, and alleviate inflammation.
14. Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil is made by pressing the seeds of the black cumin plant. It is often referred to as black caraway oil and may be sold under this name as well.
Black seed oil is extremely high in nutrients and acts as an anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. It may be used to help everything from headaches to allergies to preventing cancer growth.
15. Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is made by burning wood or coconut shells. Charcoal is taken as a dietary supplement and is known to bind toxins in the digestive tract.
Adding activated charcoal to your diet can help reduce the workload of the liver and kidneys and reduce gastrointestinal damage.
16. Black Lentils
Black lentils are also known as caviar lentils since they are very small. They have about 30% more protein than other lentils and high fiber content as well.
Prepare black lentils with some spices and herbs to make a fantastic side dish.
17. Squid Ink
Squid ink is a dark black fluid that is made by squids. It is used to dye foods, making them a deep black color in a completely natural way.
Squid ink is another healthy black food. It is actually full of dopamine which can help you feel happy and alert.
18. Blackberry
Blackberries are also known as black mulberries. They are part of the Moraceae family, which is known for their fruit.
Blackberries are sweet and full of juicy, edible seeds. They are high in antioxidants and have a long history in traditional medicine.
19. Black Bread
Black bread is a trendy food that has become popular in recent years. Bread dough is dyed black using either squid ink or activated charcoal.
Black burger buns and black pizza all fall under the category of fantastic-looking black bread.
20. Black Corn
Black corn has deep, dark corn kernels which line the corn cob. It is an heirloom variety of corn native to the highlands of Chiapas.
Black corn is a little more alkaline than yellow corn. It is high in anthocyanins which improve the circulatory system and help prevent cardiovascular disease.
21. Black Potatoes
Black potatoes are native to Spain and are often called black egg yolk potatoes. They have been around for over 400 years!
Black potatoes have a deep-colored skin but pale yellow flesh. They are slightly sweet and a little bit nutty in taste.
22. Black Soybeans
Black soybeans are high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They are the key ingredient in soy sauce.
Black soybeans can help lower cholesterol levels and also prevent type 2 diabetes.
23. Black Tea
Black tea is rich and flavorful. It is consumed around the world! There are many types of black tea, and most taste delicious with a splash of milk and a little sugar.
Black tea has theaflavins which can help soothe sore muscles. Drinking a cup of black tea may also reduce the risk of heart attack and improve overall heart health.
24. Black Sapote
Black sapote is a juicy, sweet fruit that is native to Mexico. The green skin opens up to reveal a dark, soft flesh.
Black sapote should only be eaten when very ripe. It is as sweet as candy and is actually used to make many desserts.
25. Chia Seeds
Chia seeds come from a flowering plant in the mint family. They are added to foods to boost fiber and micronutrients. Chia seeds have no strong flavor, which makes them a great addition to foods.
Chia seeds are very high in nutrients and health benefits. They may support weight loss, lower the risk of heart disease, and even lower blood pressure.
Eating chia seeds regularly may lower cancer risk, improve blood circulation and reduce inflammation. Sounds like an incredible black food!
Incredible Black Foods
There are so many amazing black foods to try that it is hard to choose which one to enjoy first! Black foods are so insanely healthy that you should definitely incorporate one, or more, into your daily diet. Let us know which is your favorite!
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