How many foods can you name beginning with the letter N? Can you name at least 10 of them? If not, there’s no need to panic.
We’ve compiled a list of 23 foods beginning with the letter N to help you stock up on your general knowledge. You may even discover some foods that you’ve never heard of before!
You’ll find all manner of foods beginning with the letter N on this list. Sweet, savory, fruits, vegetables - we’ve got them all covered.
Naan Bread
Naan bread originates from Asian and Caribbean cuisine, and is a staple for those who love an Indian takeaway.
These are flatbreads which tend to be baked in a hot clay tandoor oven with a charcoal or wood fire.
This bread is super easy to make at home, too! It is usually flavored with additional ingredients to suit your preferences.
Naan bread is rich in protein and carbohydrates, and contains a good amount of manganese, selenium, and vitamin B.
Naartjie Fruit
A citrus fruit found in China and Japan, the naartjie fruit is known by many names. It is often referred to as a mandarin, satsuma, or tangerine.
This fruit is very popular across the globe because of its easy-to-peel properties and semi seedless nature.
The naartjie fruit is sweet, so it is popular as a breakfast fruit. It also makes a great healthy snack throughout the day, too!
Nachos
A classic Mexican dish, nachos have taken the world by storm. This simple dish makes use of tortilla chips, and is often heaped with melted cheese, sour cream, olives, and salsa.
The great thing about nachos is that you can adapt the ingredients to suit your preferences. Give it that extra savory crunch with some added beef, or give it a spicy kick with some chili.
Nachos make a great snack or even a filling main meal. This wonderful Mexican dish is rich in fiber and protein.
Nance Fruit
Nance fruit is a popular fruit that is grown in Central and Latin America as well as the Caribbean.
They are particularly popular in Cuba, Mexico, and Haiti. The nance fruit is a small, orange-yellow fruit that resembles a cherry. It has a unique flavor profile and tends to be on the sweeter side.
Nance fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked. In its region of origin, it also tends to be used to flavor ice cream and even some juices.
The nance fruit is rich in several nutrients and vitamins which make it a popular food for many.
Nankhatai
Originating from the Indian subcontinent, nankhatai are basically small shortbread cookies. They are very popular in Pakistan and Northern India.
These are super simple to make. All you need to do is prepare butter, ghee, flour, and sugar. There are some variations used depending on the chef’s preferred recipe.
The name nankhatai is derived from the Persian word naan, meaning bread, and khatai, the Dari Persian word for biscuit or cookie.
Nashi Pear
The Nashi pear is also known as the Asian pear. This fruit is native to East Asia, and can be known by many different names. It’s also called the apple pear because of its resemblance to the apple in shape and size.
Nashi pears are rich in magnesium. This is a mineral that can help to prevent fatigue. The Nashi pear is also packed full of fiber which works to protect your bones and your cardiovascular health.
Nasi Goreng
Nasi Goreng is a fried rice dish that originates from Indonesia. This is a versatile rice dish which can be made to suit both meat eaters and vegetarians.
You can adapt the fried rice dish to suit your preferences, and add any ingredients that you want to include. This versatility lends itself well to adventurous cooks.
This fried rice dish is a good source of vitamin B as well as other minerals including copper, iron, selenium, and zinc.
Nasturtium
You might not automatically think of nasturtiums when you try to think of edible foods beginning with N. However, these are some of the few flowers which you can actually eat safely.
Nasturtium is a species of flower that includes up to eighty different varieties. They are recognizable from their bright orange, red, and yellow flowers.
The flowers are edible and very delicious, and can be used in a variety of dishes. You’re likely to find them decorating dessert plates to give your sweet treats that extra wow factor.
The nasturtium flowers and petals are packed full of vitamin C, and can be used to give your immune system a boost.
Natal Plum
The natal plum is also known as carissa macrocarpa. This is a shrub that originates from South Africa, where it’s often referred to as the large num-num.
It’s important to note that the fruit is the only edible part of the plant. The stems and leaves of the natal plum are highly toxic.
Natal plums are rich in calcium, magnesium, and vitamin C. It even has more vitamin C in it than other traditional citrus fruits.
This is a juicy fruit that has an intriguing sweet and sour flavor. It can be eaten raw, or even used to make tasty jellies.
Navel Oranges
Navel oranges are a juicy favorite for many. This orange gets its name from the secondary fruit which is grown at the apex of the main fruit.
This creates an appearance similar to the human navel, hence the name! These oranges are seedless, and tend to be easier to peel.
It is thought that the navel orange originated from a tree in Brazil. The Selecta orange tree developed a mutation which created the first navel orange back in the 1800s.
This particular orange has now gone on to become one of the more popular oranges around the globe, and is mostly grown for human consumption.
Nectarine
Often confused with peaches, nectarines are a tasty fruit with a soft skin.
These fruits come in a variety of different colors including orange, red, white, and yellow. The flesh of the fruit clings to a stone, and can often be sweeter than peaches.
Nectarines are rich in fiber, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C. These can help to boost your metabolism.
Neep
Neep is the Scottish term for turnips. This is a root vegetable that can be found in many areas across the world. It has a fleshy root, and you can eat the whole of the vegetable.
It is widely used in stews or can even be eaten on its own. Turnips are packed full of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, including potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
Scots tended to serve neeps and tatties (potatoes) with their native dish of haggis, which is a savory pudding made using the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep, as well as various other ingredients to flavor the meat.
This is then traditionally cooked in the sheep’s stomach, but an artificial casing is often used today.
Negus
This is a warm drink made using port or wine. The main ingredients of negus include lemon, water, and sugar. Negus was invented in the 18th century by Francis Negus, a British courtier.
If you enjoy reading classic English literature, you’ll find this drink referenced to a lot, particularly in Charles Dickens’ novels, Jane Austen’s novels, and Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë.
Nesselrode
Nesselrode was a favorite iced pudding of the Victorians in Britain. It consists of an iced dessert with candied fruits, nuts, and maraschino added for extra flavor.
It is thought to have been created in the 1800s for an emissary named Count Karl Von Nesselrode.
Nesselrode pudding became a favorite dessert for the English gentry. It wasn’t popular with the common people as only the rich could afford the large ice houses needed to keep the ice cool.
Nigella Seed
Nigella seeds are known by many different names, including black seed and caraway. This seed originates from South and Southwest Asia, and is one of the oldest spices used in cooking around the world.
Nigella seeds have a slightly bitter taste to them, and are often compared to oregano in terms of flavor. These tiny seeds have a whole wealth of health benefits.
They have been known to help lower cholesterol, and can help to regulate your blood sugar.
Nipa
The nipa palm is a plant that can be found along the tidal rivers of Southern Asia and Austria. This particular plant has long leafy fronds which can be used for food and has many other uses.
The nipa palm can also be known as the mangrove palm.
The flower cluster of this palm is “tapped” for the edible sweet sap concealed within. This is often used to produce an alcoholic beverage in the Philippines known as bahal.
Nonpareil
Nonpareil are tiny sugary balls that are often used to decorate cakes and sweets. They are made using starch and sugar.
While the traditional nonpareil used to be white in color, they are now made in all different colors.
These make the perfect toppings for candy, and can even be used on ice cream to give it a little extra crunch. They are sometimes called hundreds and thousands elsewhere around the world.
Noodles
Noodles are a favorite dinner staple for lots of people. These are made using unleavened dough, which is rolled flat, cut, and stretched into long strings.
These come in both fresh and dried varieties. Fresh noodles will need to be refrigerated, whereas dried noodles have a long shelf life.
These are usually cooked in boiling water and have sauce and other ingredients added. Noodles are used in stir fries or traditional Asian dishes.
Nori
Nori is the term used in Japan to reference all seaweed species of the red algae genus Pyrpia. These are all the dried, edible varieties of this seaweed.
Nori has a distinctive flavor and is used across a variety of Japanese recipes. It tends to be popularly used with sushi, onigiri, and wrap rolls.
This food has lots of good vitamins and minerals in it, including copper, iron, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and many others. Nori is also a good source of omega-3 fats and vitamin B12.
Nougat
A popular confectionery treat, nougat is made using sugar or honey, whipped eggs, and occasionally candied fruit and roasted nuts.
Nougat is very chewy and is often used in many candy bars such as Snickers and Mars bars.
There are several different variations of nougat, including Spanish, French, and Italian nougat. Why not try one of each to help you decide which is your favorite nougat of all time?
Nuggets
Nuggets tend to be made using chicken breast. Chicken nuggets are one of the most popular hot dishes across the globe, and pair well with French fries and a dash of either mayonnaise or tomato sauce.
The chicken breast tends to be cut into smaller chunks which are then breaded or battered. Chicken nuggets are packed full of protein.
Chicken nuggets were invented in the 1950s and were primarily a fast food. However, you can make your own at home using fresh ingredients for a healthy, tasty meal.
Nutella
Nutella is the name of the company that produces that nutty, chocolatey spread often used on toast. This is a popular spread across the world, but originated from Italy.
Many people will have Nutella for breakfast, or even as a tasty snack throughout the day.
Nutella makes a great topping for pancakes. You can even make it a healthier dish by adding various fruits for a truly luscious dessert!
Nutmeg Melon
The nutmeg melon is also known as the green cantaloupe.
This fruit has a nutmeg shape and netted skin, and is a favorite treat for many. It’s a particularly refreshing treat on a warm, sunny day.
The nutmeg melon is considered to be one of the oldest varieties of cantaloupe grown across the globe.
The nutmeg melon is widely distributed across America. It’s rich in electrolytes and water, and can be helped to lower blood pressure. Nutmeg melons are a tasty addition to fruit salads.
In summary
And now you know even more foods beginning with N! Why not impress all of your family and friends with the facts you’ve learned about them?
Or if you really wanted to be adventurous, you could try to work your way through the list and eat as many of them as you can.
We’re sure that you remembered more of these foods beginning with the letter N than you thought you would! How many of the 23 foods beginning with N that we’ve listed above had you heard of before?
