23 Foods Beginning With The Letter J That You Might Have Never Heard Of

Have you ever wondered how many foods start with the letter J, and what some examples of these foods are? A random question, but sometimes those are the best!

Today we’re looking through 23 different foods that all begin with the letter J. Some you might have heard of, while others you probably haven’t!

Let’s get right into it, shall we? 

1. Jackfruit

Jackfruit is a fruit that can be found in South Asian countries where it grows on the Jack tree. Jackfruit tend to look like melons with yellow spikes. They are most commonly used in savory dishes such as stews or curries.

The taste most resembles pineapple, although the texture is similar to that of pulled pork. This allows it to be used as a popular meat substitute! 

2. Jaffle

Jaffle is a popular dish in South Africa, made up of a toasted sandwich with a filling of meat. This is then cooked over flames in a jaffle iron. At least, this was the traditional way to cook jaffles.

As time has gone on, however, it has now become the norm to cook jaffles in an electric toaster. Nevertheless, it is still a popular staple in South African cuisine (see also ‘The Most Popular African Dishes You Should Try!‘). 

3. Jalapeno 

Perhaps the most commonly known food beginning with the letter J (see also ‘30 Quality Foods That Start With The Letter ‘Q’’), jalapenos are small chili peppers often used in many Mexican dishes. These green peppers may be small, but they pack a mighty punch! 

Jalapenos are so popular thanks to their earthy flavor as well as heat. Most peppers are just hot without much flavor, whereas jalapeno is the exception. 

4. Jam

Another food that we’re sure you have heard of, jam is a common condiment used all over the world. Whether that’s on toast, in cakes, or even on the side of meat dishes, most people will have encountered jam before. 

5. Jambalaya

Originating in New Orleans, jambalaya is a dish that takes inspiration from Spanish, French, and African cuisine. It’s made of sausage (see also ‘Bratwurst Vs Sausage‘), chicken or pork, and shellfish like crawfish or shrimp.

These meats are all flavored with plenty of spices, peppers, and onions. It’s a real mix of food, but it tastes so good! 

6. Japanese Plum

The Japanese plum is grown in Japan and boasts a tangy yet sweet flavor that plays a perfect harmony on your tastebuds. These plums are also considered to be very beneficial to your overall health. 

7. Java 

Okay, so we’re using the lesser known name for coffee on this one, but java is still technically a food beginning with J! And we already know that you’re aware of this one – who doesn’t know of the magical coffee? 

8. Jawbreaker

If you liked candy as a kid, then we’re sure that you’ve heard of Jawbreakers before! They are hard pieces of candy made up of hundreds of thin layers of sugar, which cannot be chewed. The only way to eat them is to suck for hours! 

9. Jellied Eels

Jellied eels is a dish that has originated from Britain and is made from cooked eels suspended in a spiced jelly. This jelly isn’t the kind you’re thinking of – fruit flavored and sweet. Spiced jelly is savory and pairs well with the tender eel.

This dish is not so popular anymore, but it can still be found being served at large Victorian events. 

10. Jello

Jello is a sweet dessert made from fruit, water, and gelatin. Gelatin is the ingredient that gives it the ability to cool into a wobbly consistency. Often a fun dessert for kids to play with, it can be served with fruit and ice cream. 

11. Jelly Donut

Jelly (aka jam) in a donut is a delicious sweet treat that anyone who loves fruity flavors can enjoy. The donut will often be fried before the jelly is piped into the center of the donut.

It will then be finished with a sprinkling of sugar before being served. Yum. 

12. Jerky

Jerky is another food that we’re sure you’ve heard of – it’s enjoyed all over the world! Jerky is a lean meat that has been cut into strips and dried. The dried meat is then seasoned for added flavor. 

13. Jerusalem Artichoke

Contrary to popular belief, the Jerusalem Artichoke is not actually an artichoke at all! It is really a member of the sunflower family, although it doesn’t look like one. Instead it looks like a lumpy potato! 

Don’t let the appearance put you off, however, as the flavor is deliciously nutty and sweet when you eat them raw. They can also be baked, however, in which the taste turns to that similar to an artichoke heart. 

14. Jesuite

This dish originates from France and is now a popular pastry that is filled with frangipane cream and topped with flaked almonds and powdered sugar.

The recipe hasn’t changed much since their first creation, and they’re still very popular to this day! 

The light and flaky pastry can be found all over France and sometimes in other European countries. 

15. Jigarthanda

Another drink on our list, jigarthanda has a creamy consistency and is best served cold. It is a famous drink in Madurai, India! Visiting here, you can find jigarthanda served at lots of different stalls lined up next to roads. 

The drink is made from milk, sugar, almond gum, ice cream, and sarsaparilla syrup. The name ‘jigarthanda’ actually translates to ‘cool heart’ in English, as this is the ideal drink to enjoy under the hot Indian sun.

16. JingBaiJan

JingBaiJan is a number of traditional Chinese desserts that can be traced back to the Qing imperial period. These desserts are commonly served in batches of eight, with each cake aiming to represent its own emotion.

Here are the eight meanings:

• Fertility
• Happiness
• Longevity
• Success
• Luck
• Education
• Excess
• Wealth 

Each cake is made with a sweet pastry made into unique shapes. Sweet ingredients are used for fillings such as sugar, plums, bananas, and dates. 

17. Jook

Jook is a meal that is commonly consumed for breakfast in East Asia. It is particularly popular in Hong Kong, so make sure you taste some if you ever find yourself in the country. 

Jook is a form of rice porridge but is mostly served as a savory food. That being said, it is sometimes cooked with sweet ingredients instead. 

People believe that eating plain jook and water when you’re sick can make you feel better. 

18. Jordan Almond

Jordan almonds are otherwise known as sugared almonds, with their skin removed and a thin layer of sugared candy coated on to replace it.

You’ll most often find Jordan almonds at weddings or other celebrations as favors for the guests. 

You might also know these almonds under their other common names such as Confetto or Dragee. 

19. Juice

We’ll assume that you’ve already heard of this one before! Almost any fruit or vegetable can be juiced, such as carrots, oranges, lemons, and more. If you have your own masticating juicer at home, you can try and get juice out of anything! 

Something that you might not have heard of before is juice from obscure foods, like almonds and bee pollen. In fact, most of the things that you have never thought of juicing before tend to have the most benefits within said juice. 

20. Julep

Julep is a cocktail containing alcohol that is made from bourbon, sugar, water, mint, and crushed ice. It was first created in South America and can be found throughout the continent to this day. 

You’ll most likely have Julep served in a tall glass and it will probably be served alongside a spirit, liqueur, or wine. Some places even offer a special cup made specifically for julep made from a can!

But you can also serve it in a normal glass. 

21. Juneberries

Juneberries will be found growing in Canadian prairies, and are otherwise known as Saskatoon berries. These fruits are small, dark berries that grow in little bunches on trees, and they’re commonly mistaken for blueberries or blackcurrants. 

Juneberries taste similar to dark cherries however, which is a much milder taste than blueberries. Juneberries are a great source of iron, as well as a number of other nutrients like protein, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and antioxidants. 

23. Jumbles

Jumbles are butter cookies made with flour, butter, sugar, and eggs. They’ll also often use vanilla essence to give them more flavor, but some will be made with almond or caraway extract instead. 

Jumbles have been around for decades, dating back to at least 1907. When they were first created they were shaped in intricate loops and patterns. These were also flavored with rosewater. 

24. Juniper Berry

Finally, juniper berries are small and purple fruits, sometimes mistaken for juneberries that we looked at earlier. While they are called berries, juniper berries are not actually berries at all.

They are also cone shapes and taste like pine and pepper. 

Juniper berries are most commonly used to flavor gin, so you might have tasted them without even knowing. Juniper berries are also sometimes found in jams, but not sweet jam like you might know well. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s A Vegetable That Starts With J?

There aren’t many vegetables that begin with J that will jump into your head. Jicama (pronounced Hee-kah-mah) is a rounded root vegetable. It has a starchy white inside while the exterior is brown and earthy. 

Jicama has a lovely earthy taste to it with nutty undertones. Jicama is often compared to a potato in looks, although this crunchy vegetable has a crunchy texture more like an apple. 

What To Bring To A Party That Starts With J?

A themed party is always fun, but can be challenging if you don’t know what to bring. If the party required a food beginning with J, you could bring any of the foods we’ve talked about above!

Some would be more like food dishes, while others would be fun additions to drinks! 

Spicy margarita with jalapenos, anyone?

Summary

We hope that this article has helped you by teaching you some interesting and unique foods beginning with J. What you do with this information is up to you – good or bad!

From jalapenos to jaffles, there are more foods beginning with J than you might think. Which one are you going to try first?