A balanced and varied diet can significantly improve the condition of the body, benefiting cells and organs and even the cognitive capacity of the brain. However, people often fall into a chair when told to add something new to their food.
Fortunately, the world is comprehensive, and many countries have their unique fruits, vegetables, and dishes. For your convenience, the article below compiles popular foods or ones you’ve never heard of before under the letter “J”.
1. Jackfruit
The first place in the list of products with the letter “j” is occupied by an exotic fruit native to Bangladesh, Jackfruit. This fruit has a pleasant specific smell, slightly reminiscent of banana and pineapple. The ripe jackfruit is eaten fresh and can be frozen and stored in the refrigerator.
They are also used to make marmalade, jelly, or roasted, braised, and boiled. Furthermore, it is rich in phosphorus, potassium, vitamin A, sulfur, and calcium.
2. Jalapeno
The jalapeno variety of vegetable pepper has a medium spiciness, unusual flavors, and an original name. It is one of the varieties of chili peppers native to Mexico.
When you eat jalapeño peppers, you get B vitamins and A, E, K, C, PP, and beta-carotene, essential for health and well-being. The variety of nutrients included in the vegetable has an immune-strengthening, antimicrobial, and antidepressant effect on the human body.
3. JingBaiJan
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The JingBaiJan series of traditional Chinese desserts are made from sweet dough and served in batches of eight, where each cake represents different meanings.
They include dates, rose, plums, raisins, banana, pepper, salt, sugar, and red bean paste. These sweets trace their origins to the imperial cuisine of the Qing dynasty and are a must-eat from the “j” food list.
4. Jawbreaker
A real find for sweet lovers on the “j” food list is the jawbreaker. This is a type of round hard candy made with hundreds of layers of sugar found worldwide. Keep in mind that it is not a natural product and contains a lot of chemicals and sugar.
5. Jaffle
The jaffle, or simply a sandwich made with spaghetti, meat, and sauce, is a favorite dish of South Africans. It is often sold on the streets near subway stations in Tokyo or at Target Field baseball park in Minneapolis. Nowadays, jaffle is primarily cooked in electric toasters, but it is still considered a staple of South African cuisine.
6. Jellied eels
One of the classic British specialties is jellied eels, consisting of minced eels cooked in broth and then turned into jelly with spices. The history of the preparation of this dish goes back to the 18th century when eels were plentiful.
Today, unfortunately, there are few places left where you can traditionally enjoy eel soup, but that doesn’t take away from its importance and unique flavor.
7. Jigarthanda
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The cold, creamy drink jigarthanda is quite popular in the city of Madurai. Additionally, it consists of almond milk, plain milk, sarsaparilla syrup, sugar, and ice cream. It’s a surprisingly tasty, refreshing drink, the perfect accompaniment to a hot day under the Indian sun.
8. Jerky
Jerky, which can be presented in different forms, is one of the most natural meat products with many nutrients and is utterly devoid of chemical flavor additives.
This product has been a well-known food since the time of ancient Egypt. However, it is worth remembering that the curing process uses a lot of salt, which harms our bodies when using it.
9. Jam
Jam is a critical ingredient in many cakes and desserts and a favorite sweet for some people. It is also a healthy product that can help support the immune system during the cold season.
Jam is obtained by boiling fruits and berries with sugar or honey, and it is convenient to spread on bread or use as a filling for cakes. In addition, it contains dietary fiber and some vitamins.
10. Jook
A popular breakfast dish in East Asia is jook. It is intermediate between soup and porridge with ginger and spices in a fish or meat broth. In restaurants, it is usually served hot and sometimes puréed with a blender.
11. Jamaican Ginger Cake
Jamaican Ginger Cake can surprise even the gourmet; the bright citrus and vanilla notes combined with a subtle lightness of the cream has brought it far beyond the borders of Jamaica and become a mass-produced product.
Unfortunately, it hasn’t retained the original recipe as the Jamaican formula uses ginger and black treacle, which makes it different from those widely available in the UK.
12. Juniper berry
One of the oldest representatives of the plant world is the juniper. The berries of this plant have a lot of substances that actively affect human health and well-being. This is an effective remedy for colds, rheumatism, fevers, and others. It is worth remembering that juniper berries have toxic properties, so an overdose must be avoided.
13. Jesuite
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The triangular jesuite pastry was first created in France. It is still served in its original form, filled with frangipane cream and then sprinkled with almond flakes and powdered sugar. Jesuite has a bright pastry flavor and has become a staple of French sweet cooking.
14. Jordan almond
When it comes to sweets from the past, it’s worth mentioning sugar-coated almonds, which are historically found at weddings throughout the West and the Middle East and are synonymous with weddings for many. Jordan Almond can be presented entirely optional, and the filling can be either hazelnut, pine nuts, or almonds.
15. Johnnycakes
Sweet cornmeal johnnycakes are often served as a main course in North America because they are very tender, tasty, and have the characteristic flavor of corn. Historically, these buns were made by sailors’ wives so that their husbands would always have a nutritious meal with them. Moreover, it can be eaten with both salty and sweet fillings.
16. Jollof rice
One of the most common types of rice dish is Jollof Rice. It is usually made with meat, tomatoes, onions, and spices in one pot over a wood fire. This method of cooking gives it a rich and smoky flavor. There are many variations of Jollof Rice, but they all have the same unique flavor.
17. Jelly
According to the preparation method, sweets can be different, but jelly is prepared from any heated fruit juice, in which gelatin without concentrates is added. Thus, the tasty product has two main components: the natural fruit juice and the gelling agent, which supply the body with functional chemical elements and vitamins.
18. Jell-O
Jell-O is a type of jelly sold in large quantities in a ready-to-eat form on supermarket shelves. This product is in the form of a powder or block of jelly in different flavors, which must then be dissolved in boiling water. Jell-O also ranks first among the jelly brands along with Hartleys and Alamgeer.
19. Jameed
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Jameed is a wide variety of cheese made from salted yogurt, very heavily condensed made in Jordan. It is a product with low moisture content, which is convenient to store for several months. Because of the taste of goat’s milk, this cheese is often used as an ingredient in many meat and vegetable dishes.
20. Juice
Freshly squeezed fruit juice has become a staple of many diets; it is a popular drink made from edible and ripe vegetables, fruits, berries by pressing. Juices can benefit the body when consumed judiciously due to their concentration of vitamins and trace elements. They are also used as a healthy alternative to soda or coffee.
21. Jelly donut
The jelly donut or jam doughnut is a favorite treat of almost everyone on the planet. It is a pillow of deep-fried dough sprinkled with granulated sugar or powdered sugar and filled with raspberry or strawberry jelly. Different countries worldwide have other ways to prepare it, such as the decadent German Berliner or the British jam doughnut.
22. Japanese plum
Japanese plum is a subtropical plant that blooms in December. They usually grow in Japan and are incredibly good for the body and health. Plums have a sweet and tart taste, which makes them an excellent base for traditional Japanese wine. Also, they are often used to make jams or added to traditional dishes.
23. Jerusalem artichoke
Jerusalem Artichoke tastes like a cross between a slightly sweet potato and a celery tuber with brownish skin and crunchy white flesh. It looks like a ginger root and actively sprouts underground. Furthermore, it is a delicious and straightforward fruit that tastes similar to artichoke hearts after cooking.
24. Junket
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Junket comes from an older French and after in medieval England was a dish of the nobility, made of cream with sugar and spices. Since then, it has been a famous dessert in many countries, specifically in America, made with sweetened milk.
After the Tudor era, junket went out of use, but today it is prevalent because of its light, unique flavor.
25. Jambalaya
Jambalaya is a hearty and flavorful rice-based Creole and Cajun dish that is very common daily. Especially nice is that it takes very little time and labor to prepare this dish as well. Today it is a multicultural dish with an abundance of spices, peppers, and onions and a base of pork, sausage, chicken, shrimp.
26. Jaffa Cake
Trendy in modern Britain is the jaffa cake, a crispy sponge base covered in languid chocolate or orange jelly. In addition to the traditional orange flavor, limited-edition flavors such as strawberry, lime, black currant, and lemon are available. Sometimes people may claim it is a cookie because of its small size, but it is definitely a cake.
27. Jostaberry
In European countries, jostaberry trees bloom in the summertime. The berry is something between black currant and gooseberry. They are also great for making jams, various desserts, and sauces.
28. Jumbles
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Creamy jumbles cookies have been widespread because of their dense nature and the ability to take them with you when you travel. The basic recipe for the sweet includes simple ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter.
Almonds or vanilla are also added to the cookies for flavor. They are preferred in some countries for their simple recipe and rich, unique flavor.
29. Juneberries
The fantastic fruit of juneberries is a deciduous shrub native to Canadian forests. The berries of this bush are very similar to blueberries, but the closest relative is considered to be an apple.
In addition to their positive effects on the body, Juneberries are also incredibly versatile for use in the kitchen. Used to make excellent jam, yogurt, tea, smoothies, ice cream, pies, and salads.
30. Jabuticaba
A plant in the myrtle family, jaboticaba is common in Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina. The fruit of the plant is dark purple and can be elliptical or round.
Inside the fruit is the consistency of something like jelly pulp with a sweet taste and slight sourness. The berry is used to make various drinks, sauces, or jams, and making masa, muffins, and salad.
31. Jam Roly-Poly
The traditional English dish jam roly-poly was invented back in the 19th century. Additionally, it was part of the classic British school dinners for a long time and still is popular today. In England, raspberry, strawberry, or plum jam is most commonly put in the roll.
32. Jujube
Thailand is famous for its abundance of exotic fruits; one is the jujube, which looks like an apple. The fruit has a sour taste and has a large pit inside.
It grows in South Asia and is nicknamed the Chinese date. Jujube can be used as a key ingredient in various recipes for a new, unusual flavor and cosmetology, thanks to its composition’s vitamin C and antioxidants.
33. Jiaozi
A dish of Chinese and Japanese cuisine, jiaozi is one of the dumplings filled with minced pork and vegetables. They can have different shapes and are most often served with soy sauce and minced garlic. Jiaozi can be found in restaurants in the vast majority of Western countries and outside of Asia.
34. Julep
Most Americans most often associate julep with Southern cuisine and the Kentucky Derby. It is an alcoholic cocktail based on bourbon or gin with selected mint, sugar, water, and crushed ice. Furthermore, it was first made in the southern United States in the 18th century. The drink is traditionally served in tall silver or pewter glasses.
A handy list of various dishes for all occasions that begin with the letter J can be used to introduce new dishes and ingredients. Now that you’ve discovered all these excellent culinary dishes beginning with the letter “j,” move on to learn even more exciting dishes. Continue to the following letter of the alphabet, exploring foods starting with “k.” Comment below what other dishes or products we missed on our list, and for sure, we’ll add them.