23 Foods That Begin With The Letter I

Nothing is quite as stressful as that family game where you have to list as many things as possible that begin with the same letter.

It’s fine when you’ve been given an easy letter and topic, but for something as niche as food, you’re going to run out of foods that begin with the same letter pretty quickly. 

While it might be easy to list off foods beginning with a letter like A or C, it’s not as easy as listing foods that begin with the letter I.

The more you think about it, can you actually name over 20 foods that begin with the letter I? 

Here are 23 foods that begin with the letter I to give you a head start!

1. Ice Cream

Probably the most popular food that begins with the letter I is ice cream.

The United States is actually the top country in the world for consuming ice cream, which isn’t surprising given how delicious the cold sweet treat is. 

Ice cream can be found around the world in a variety of flavors, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, banana, pistachio, berries, cookies and cream, and more. 

2. Iceberg Lettuce 

Also known as crisphead lettuce, iceberg lettuce is a crunchy pale green lettuce most commonly used in salads and burgers.

Not only is it deliciously refreshing, but iceberg lettuce is very healthy, filled with vitamin K, vitamin A, folate, calcium, and iron. While it’s not the most nutritious lettuce, it’s certainly a tasty and healthy one. 

Iceberg lettuce is a cool-season crop that can be grown virtually anywhere in the country during winter. 

3. Idaho Potatoes 

As the name suggests, Idaho potatoes are potatoes grown in the state of Idaho! In fact, Idaho grows 25 types of potatoes, ranging from baking potatoes to Russet potatoes.

It is estimated that 97% of Americans eat potatoes regularly, which is why Idaho never has a shortage of the beloved vegetable. 

What makes a potato an Idaho potato is that it’s grown in Idaho, and must be trademarked by the Idaho Potato Commission. 

4. Instant Noodles 

Instant noodles are a precooked and dried block of noodles that are simply cooked by boiling them in hot water and a seasoning packet.

These noodles are a type of fast food and commonly bought for a quick lunchtime or dinner meal for when people are in a rush. 

Instant noodles were first invented in Japan in 1958, with the aim of providing kitchens with noodles that have a longer shelf life. 

5. Icing

Icing, also known as frosting, is popularly drizzled over the top of a cake for decorative and tasteful purposes.

While the terms are used interchangeably, icing is actually slightly thinner than frosting, but it’s not as thin as a glaze. 

Icing can be made in several ways, but it’s mostly made of powdered sugar and water. 

6. Icaco 

Also known as the cocoplum or paradise plum, the icaco is a fruit from a low shrub that grows near the sea in tropical Africa, the tropical Americas, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean.

The fruit is similar to a plum with its reddish-black skin, but is slightly more oblong in shape. 

Icaco fruit tastes slightly sweet and is commonly eaten alone or made into a jam. 

7. Ice Pop 

Ice pops are essentially the lighter and more refreshing version of ice cream. Instead of cool whipped cream, ice pops consist of a frozen liquid on a stick mingled with other flavors, such as sweeteners and fruits. 

While you can buy ice pops in a grocery store, they can be easily made at home, and are popularly made to cool down in summer. 

8. Idiyappam 

Idiyappam is an Indian snack consisting of noodles made of rice flour and served alongside curry.

The noodles are then woven into a flat disc, making for a bite-sized snack. It is most commonly steamed and consumed with a coconut chutney or curry for breakfast or midday snack. 

There are varieties of idiyappam in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. 

9. Israeli Falafel 

Israeli falafel is a popular vegan food made of chickpeas blended and deep-fried into a ball.

These are high-protein and tasty balls that are most commonly consumed with hummus or another dip, served as a midday snack or side dish. 

Despite its name, it’s actually believed that falafel originated in Egypt rather than Israel to serve as a replacement during lent or fasting. 

10. Irish Cream 

Irish cream is a creamy liqueur made with Irish whiskey, cream, and other flavorings. It can be served alone, on ice, or mixed into drinks such as Irish coffee.

The alcohol by volume is typically between 15% and 20%, and is most popular in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. 

Irish cream is actually a protected geographical indication product that can only be produced in Ireland according to the European Union. 

11. Irish Soda Bread 

Irish soda bread is a dense yet surprisingly soft bread made with bicarbonate of soda rather than yeast as its leaving agent.

The most traditional ingredients for soda bread are buttermilk, flour, baking soda, and salt, but other ingredients can be added for flavor, such as raisins or nuts. 

Soda bread is actually a type of quick bread, meaning it can be made quickly and reliably as a result of the chemical leavening agent. 

12. Indian Long Squash 

Also known as the South Asian squash, the Indian long squash is a long, bottle-shaped squash that consists of a pale green outer shell and soft, white insides.

These vegetables are either harvested at a young age to be incorporated into foods, or harvested at maturity to use as a utensil, such as a pipe or bottle. 

These vegetables are cultivated in humid environments and are 90% water. 

13. Ice Cream Cake 

Another way that Americans love to eat ice cream is with an ice cream cake. Ice cream cakes consist of layers of any cake, filled with layers of ice cream.

These cakes are most popularly served at birthdays and celebratory occasions, as they are particularly popular amongst kids. 

14. Inca Berries 

Inca berries are cherry-sized fruits filled with nutrients and flavor, and they are most typically served dry in bags.

When dried, these berries have a distinctive sweet and sour flavor, which is why they’re so popular when mixed into oatmeal or protein balls. 

Inca berries are high in protein, antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin C. As the name suggests, they originate from South America. 

15. Idli 

Idli is a type of savory Indian rice cake most commonly served as a breakfast food (see also ‘26 Indian Breakfast Recipes‘). The rice cakes consist of a batter of fermented black lentils and rice, which are then steamed into a fluffy consistency.

This is a healthy, protein-rich fibrous meal that is good for those with a sensitive gut. 

Idli is typically served with coconut chutney or a range of curries. 

16. Indian Mustard 

Also known as common brown mustard, Indian mustard is an edible plant that is commonly used in Indian, Nepali, African, Japanese, Korean, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi cuisine.

The seeds, leaves, and stems are all edible, with the seeds being used as the key ingredient for making brown mustard, which is a spicier condiment than yellow mustard. 

17. Iced Coffee 

Iced coffee is a highly popular caffeinated beverage consisting of freshly brewed coffee served over ice and milk (either dairy or non-dairy).

It’s common for sweeteners to be added to the coffee in the form of syrup to add extra flavor, such as vanilla, caramel, pistachio, and gingerbread. 

18. Instant Oatmeal 

Oatmeal is a beloved breakfast option for those in a rush to get to school or work. Packets of instant oatmeal can be bought in a grocery store, and work similarly to instant noodles.

The oats are partially pre cooked and dried, and simply need to be heated up with milk or water to make a steaming bowl of oatmeal within minutes. 

19. Ilama

Ilama is the fruit from the Central American tropical ilama fruit tree. This is a uniquely-shaped fruit that comes in either a green or pink variety.

Green ilama fruit has a white, sweet flesh, while pink ilama fruit has a rose-colored flesh that is tart. 

Both the green and pink variety can be eaten alone or made into a sweet treat like ice cream. 

20. Imarti 

Imarti is a popular Indian sweet treat made of deep-fried vigna mungo flour batter, which is then dunked in a sweet sugar syrup.

The sweets are then fried into a circular flour shape. In India, this is commonly served throughout a meal and at celebrations like weddings and birthdays. 

21. Illawarra Plum 

Illawarra plum is a fruit found from a tree indigenous to Australia.

These plums resemble blueberries or grapes in shape and color, with a sweet and juicy flesh that is perfect for snacking. These plums are often used in condiments, marinades, and compotes. 

22. Indian Black Salt 

Also known as kala namak, Indian black salt is a type of volcanic rock salt infused with Indian spices.

The reason this salt is black is that the once-pink salt is cooked at such a high temperature until it turns black. As a result of the sulfur, Indian black salt has a distinctive foul scent. 

23. Ice Cream Bean 

Also known as inga edulis, the ice cream bean is a South American fruit named after the sweet and creamy pulp that surrounds the seeds.

It is most commonly grown by indigenous Amazonians not just for food, but also for shelter, medicine, timber, and the production of alcoholic drink cachiri. 

Both the seeds and pulp can be cooked and eaten. Once cooked, the seeds taste like chickpeas. 

Conclusion

So, there you have it! Now you know 23 foods that begin with the letter I to impress your friends at the next dinner party. 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Is A Fruit That Starts With I?

While it might seem impossible, there are actually several fruits that start with the letter I. These include:

• Illawarra plum
• Ilama
• Icaco
• Inca berries

What Is A Vegetable That Starts With I?

While there are a few notable vegetables that start with the letter I, it’s still a pretty rare letter shared by vegetables. Here are the three vegetables that start with I: 

• Iceberg lettuce
• Idaho potatoes
• Indian long squash