You’ve probably heard the word “delicacies” throughout your life and know that they are foods of some kind, but you may not know exactly what makes a food a delicacy or not. A delicacy is a food that is held in high regard by a specific culture. There may be a number of reasons why food is on such a high platform in culture. Take a look at these reasons why a food might be considered a delicacy to learn more about delicacies as a whole.

The first reason a specific food could be considered a delicacy is because it is rare. Foods that are hard to come by, such as lobster or caviar, can be considered delicious. Also, dishes that are difficult to prepare can also be considered delicious. Often you can find the ingredients in abundance, but the process of preparing the dish may be intended only for professionals, and therefore it can be considered a delicacy.

Also, if a food is relatively expensive, it is often considered a delicacy. So if while traveling you notice that a specific food is much more expensive than other foods, chances are you’re dealing with a delicacy from that culture.

Delicacies can seem quite strange when you’re not from the culture. In the same way, the delights of your own culture may not seem so special to you because you have probably experienced them many times before. But, when you visit China and see that fried grasshoppers are a delicacy, you may begin to understand why certain cultures look strangely at their own country’s prized foods.