Hello and welcome back to our Alphabet Food guide, where we show you how fluent we are in the etymological prowess of your favorite alphabet. It’s all food related, of course. The letter we have chosen today is ‘E.’ So today we’ll be seeing a lot of fruits, vegetables, snacks, dishes, desserts, as well as beverages that start with E.
Some foods that start with ‘E’ are eggplant, edamame, eggs, Emmental, eel, elk, endive, escargot, Eggo waffles, Eccles cakes, espresso, and eggnog. But these foods are not even half of the list I have compiled for you.
The neat list has fruits, vegetables, dishes, desserts, and beverages that start with E. So if you are thinking of preparing an alphabetical dinner, then I have a specially curated menu for you. Now, let’s skip the small talk and get to the business.
Explore Other Alphabetic Foods We’ve Covered
- Foods That Start With Z
- Foods That Start With A
- Foods That Start With Q
- Foods That Start With X
- Foods That Start With S
- Foods That Start With W
- Foods That Start With C
- Foods That Start With D
- Foods That Start With U
- Foods That Start With Y
Fruits and Vegetables That Start With E
Let’s start with the fruits and vegetables that start with E. There are some obvious ones and some surprising ones in there. Let’s go!
1. Eggplant
Let’s start the list with a familiar fruit/ vegetable that starts with E. Eggplant, known to many as a vegetable, is, in fact, a fruit. This “fruit” comes in oblong, oval, or sphere shapes, and you can find either deep purple shades or faded white ones. It is also called aubergine or brinjal in many parts of the plant.
Eggplant has soft flesh and a bitter taste when raw. When cooked, the flesh becomes softer and emulates a sweet and earthy flavor. Eggplant is widely loved because of its taste and its versatility. You can add it to an array of dishes.
It is also very healthy and nutrient-rich. They have a load of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. They are a great source of vitamins C and K, potassium, niacin, and magnesium. All these micronutrients are imperative for your good health. Do give the E-plant a try!
2. Elderberries
Ever heard about elderberries? These delicious and healthy berries have been around for a long time and have more than 30 types. The elder tree has found its way into history for its medicinal and health benefits. The father of medicine, Hippocrates himself, called the elder tree his “medicine chest.”
It is referred to as the “most healing plant” by a lot of people. The elder tree’s berries and flowers are rich sources of vitamins and antioxidants. They are known to improve heart health, boost immunity, stress, flu, fever, headaches, and even some skin conditions.
Even though they are berries, you can’t and shouldn’t eat elderberries raw. This is because they have cyanide and lectin, both toxic chemicals. You can cook the berries and make jams, jellies, and pies from them. Cooked elderberries have a very similar taste to blackberries. So, pick some elderberries and start jamming!
3. Early Girl Tomatoes
Early girl tomatoes, the unusual name, isn’t it? Well, Early Girl tomatoes are a variety of hybrid tomatoes that grow early in the season. Hence, the name. These sweet tomatoes have a bright red color and a globe shape when they are completely ripe. A grown-up tomato is the size of a tennis ball.
Early Girl tomatoes are known for their perseverance. What I mean is they grow even in low watering conditions and produce fruit until they are killed by some external factor. You can even grow them in containers. Early Girl tomatoes are the picture-perfect classic tomatoes.
These tomatoes are soft, juicy, and sweet; you can use them in curries, sandwiches, salads, salsas, or dips. The list is endless. These tomatoes are also healthy. They are rich in vitamins C and K, potassium, folates, and antioxidants. I am convinced to eat these from my head-to-ma-toes.
4. Early Gold Mango
Another one with ‘Early’ in its name, the Early Gold mango, is a mango type with a gold exterior that ripeness early in the season. I think the name gives it away. Still, it’s my duty to address it. The Early Gold mango originates in Florida.
The tough gold skin envelops a dark yellow, sweet, and juicy flesh. Other than that, it also has a floral and fruity aroma. You can eat it as it is or add it to desserts, smoothies, or ice creams. Besides being absolutely delicious, the Early Gold mango is also healthy.
It is rich in vitamins A, E, C, and K. It also houses micronutrients like potassium, manganese, niacin, and magnesium. Being a mango, it is also high in antioxidants that help support the immune system. Grab the earliest of the Early Gold mangoes!
5. Eastern Hawthorn Fruit
Eastern Hawthorn fruit is a small fruit that grows on small shrubs. They are known for their tangy taste and multiple health benefits. Only the berries of the plant are planted. The fruits, also called mayhem, have a bright color and look like tiny pomegranates.
The fruits have a tart, tangy, and acidic taste with a faint sweetness, but they are juicy. The fruit is eaten fresh and raw or dried. Many people also use it to make jams and jellies. Other than their tangy goodness, hawthorn fruit also has a lot of health benefits.
It is a known remedy to boost one’s digestive health. It also improves one’s heart health and helps regulate blood pressure. Hawthorn fruit is also loaded with polyphenol antioxidants. It contains vitamins, fiber, sodium, and potassium. The hawthorn fruit is also known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Emblic
Emblics is just the fancy name for Indian gooseberries. Well, good for us that this food starts with E. In the Indian subcontinent, emblics are called Amla and are known to have colossal health benefits. The berry has a light green appearance with stripes drawn (by nature) over it vertically.
Emblics are a huge and irreplaceable part of the Indian Ayurvedic medicine system and are known for their immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and anticancer properties. Emblics are like a treasure chest of antioxidants and vitamin C. One emblic has 20 times more vitamin C than an orange.
They are also high in fiber and aid digestion. But if you plan to eat an emblic raw, I would advise against it. The reason is they have a bitter and sour taste. Instead, you can eat emblic packed with sugar. It has a balance of sweet and sour tastes. You can also use emblic to make jams, veggie dishes, and chutneys.
7. Edamame
Edamame is a popular Asian food item and is nothing but immature soybeans in the pod. Edamame is quite popular in Eastern Asian cuisine. It cannot be eaten raw. Instead, it is boiled and seasoned before serving. The beans are served in the pod.
Many people eat edamame as a snack, while others add it to salads and other dishes like stews and stir-fries. The beans have a buttery texture with a nutty taste. The taste is comparable to that of peas. Edamame is also a low carb high-protein food. It is also a good source of vitamin K and iron. So go much on that!
8. Endive
You can call endive the small yellow cousin of the leafy lettuce. This leafy vegetable has its roots in Belgian (literally and figuratively). Endives are used extensively in French cuisine. The leaves have curly ends and mildly bitter taste and a crunchy texture.
Like lettuce, endives can be served raw in salads and sandwiches or cooked and served in dishes, dips, and sauces. Endives are healthy too. They are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and K. They also contain potassium, calcium, and folate.
9. Edible Flowers
Edible flowers are flowers that are edible (simple!). The flowers can be domesticated or wild. Some edible flowers are honeysuckle, rose, hibiscus, cornflower, and dahlia. There’s no definite taste of flowers; each has a unique flavor.
Some are used to decorate cakes and desserts, while others are used to make a refreshing tea. One example of this is hibiscus. It has a citrusy taste. The butterfly pea flower is also a great edible flower to make a delicious tea. They also have plenty of health benefits. Some are rich in antioxidants as well as vitamins and minerals.
10. Escarole
Escarole is also a member of the endive-lettuce family. It looks very similar to lettuce and tastes bitter, comparable to dandelion greens. The inner leaves are sweeter than the outer ones and are crunchy. When cooked, escarole becomes soft and sweet.
Escarole is a leafy vegetable traditionally used in Italian wedding soup. Escarole is also low in fat but has a high fiber content. It is also full of vitamins and minerals including vitamins A, C, and K, and minerals like folate, copper, and zinc. Let’s rock and esca-role!
11. Egg Fruit
Egg fruit, also known as canistel or yellow sapote, is a tropical fruit. You can find egg fruit trees in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Curious about the name? Well, the fruit has a bright yellow appearance, and its taste and texture resemble the yolk of a hard-boiled egg.
As I said, the fruit has a bright yellow appearance as well as a bright yellow flesh. It has a rich taste that you can describe as a baked sweet potato but milder and more delicate. Its sweet taste is loved and people use it to make jams, marmalades, and desserts. Some people even add it to their egg nogs.
The egg fruit isn’t a stranger to the healthy side. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and is a good dose of antioxidants. It has a good deal of vitamin A that aids your immune system, vision, and growth.
12. Etrog
Etrog is one of the great “Four Founding Fathers” of all the citrus fruit in the world. The other three are pomelo, mandarin, and papedas. Etrog looks like a big bumpy lemon but actually is different from it. Etrog is also called yellow citron, with its scientific name Citrus medica.
Unlike lemon, the etrog isn’t that fleshy. It has a thick peel and mainly contains the pit. It is mainly grown in the Mediterranean and Central and Latin America. Etrog holds a special place in the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Other than that, people use etrog to make juices, jams, and marmalades. Their rinds are also candied and eaten.
This citrus fruit also is full of nutrients. Being a citrus fruit, it is obviously rich in B6 and C. They are also rich in antioxidants and fiber. Thus, they aid in digestion and boost immunity.
13. Elephant Apple
Elephant apple, otherwise known as Dillenia Indica or Chaltas, is a fruit native to many countries in Sout-East Asia, including Thailand, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. It is called the Elephant apple because it is widely popular and loved by elephants.
They are large and have a light green appearance. These apples have a hint of both sweet and tart tastes. People like to pickle them or add them to curries, juices, jams, and jellies. They also house a good amount of antioxidants, vitamins C and B, amino acids, potassium, and protein in their flesh.
14. Emperor Grapes
Emperor grapes have a grand name and are grown in South Australia and New South Wales. These delicious grapes are a red variety of grapes and have a beautiful deep purple color. These grapes are seeded, have a thick membrane, and have sweet and juicy flesh. Many people relate their taste to cherries.
They are a great grape variety for making red and white wine. These grapes are full of vitamins C and K. They are high in fiber and antioxidants. Thus, they are delicious and healthy!
15. Empire Apples
Empire apples are hybrid apples developed at Cornell University. It is the child of Red Delicious and McIntosh apples. It has a delicious sweet and tart flavor with a crisp and juicy texture. A good quality these apples hold is that they don’t bruise easily. They have a bright red appearance with creamy white flesh.
You can eat them as a snack or add them to salads. You can also use them to make jams and desserts like tarts, pies, pastries, and strudels. These apples are also low in calories but high in fiber and vitamins A and C.
16. Emu Apple
Emu apple, a fruit indigenous to Australia, is in fact not an apple but a type of berry. The berries have a purplish red hue and have speckles over them with a big stony pit. They are grown on shrubs and also go by the name Dog’s balls, Turkey bush, and Dysentery bush.
Emu apple is known to cause hallucinations. The fruit is eaten once it ripens completely and falls from the tree. It has strong acidic flavors resembling plums, making it a great choice for making jams. They are also a great source of vitamin C and have a high count of antioxidants.
17. Entawak
Entawak, also known by the names mentawa, bintawa, and Papuan, is an ultra-tropical fruit that grows in the peninsular region of Malaysia and in Sumatra and Borneo. It is said to be a cousin of jackfruit. Its exterior is spiky with a brown-yellowish hue. The flesh is a contrast bright orange and is juicy and aromatic.
Its taste is often compared to pumpkin and persimmons. The best part? Its flesh, as well as its seeds, are edible. The flesh is eaten as it is or added to desserts. The seeds when roasted and salted make for a great snack. Entawak is high in fiber and antioxidants and also stores a good amount of vitamins and minerals.
18. Emu Berry Fruit
Emu berry fruit is not the same as emu apple but does share similarities. It is also a fruit restrictively native to Australia. These berries are very small and have a reddish hue along with a sweet taste. They grow on a bush that looks a bit weed-like, also called a Turkey bush or Dysentery bush.
Emu berry, due to its sweet taste, makes a great addition to salads or desserts. It is also used to make wines. It is also rich in antioxidants and fiber, along with vitamin C. It also has a good amount of sodium.
19. Enterprise Apple
Enterprise Apple, a modern-day apple variety, is a delicious apple that is highly disease resistant. It was produced by crossing Mcintosh, Golden Delicious, and Rome Beauty apple varieties. The result was a red and firm apple with a pleasantly tart flavor.
Enterprise apples are great for all purposes but shine in the baking. Their tart tastes pleasantly with spices and sugar, and thus they make great fillings for pies, tarts, and pastries. They are also rich in fiber and antioxidants. They are also rich in vitamins A and C. They have anti-inflammatory properties, aid digestion, and boost immunity.
Snacks, Condiments, And Spices
Now that we’re done with fruits and vegetables, it’s only natural to move on to snacks, condiments, and spices that start with your favorite alphabet, E.
20. Eggs
Egg is perhaps the first food that comes to mind when talking about foods that with E. It is a much-loved food around the world and is known for its versatility and uses in multiple cuisines and cooking methods. This poultry product is a star. It also has a wide variety; chicken, goose, quail, and much more.
They are added to drinks, scrambles, fried, poached, boiled, or added to cakes, pancakes, quiches, pasta, noodles, ramen, etc. I can just go on and on, and the list won’t end. They are a great source of protein and are high in vitamin and mineral scales.
21. Emmental
You might’ve heard about this. Emmental is a kind of cheese made from cow’s milk. Also known as Emmentaler or Emmenthal, this cheese is a medium-hard one with a yellow appearance. It is named after the Emmental region in Switzerland, where it is produced; thus, it is a type of Swiss or Alpine cheese.
It has a sweet, delicate, yet nutty flavor. The cheese also has “eyes” and melts beautifully and thus is great for sandwiches, pizzas, fondue, and even pasta. Emmental also makes a great addition to charcuterie boards. Cheese also has a high protein content and a lot of health benefits.
It boosts immunity and is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps reduce muscle and joint pain. The bacteria present in Emmental cheese also have various health benefits in the long term. If you haven’t tried this cheese, then you must.
22. Earth Nut
Earthhnut is not a single fruit or nut but a term thrown around for a number of things. Earthhnut is a term used for plants (that are unrelated, by the way) that grow under the ground and produce food in the form of a nut, fruit, or root. It is used as a word to refer to peanuts/groundnuts, truffles, and many roots and tubers.
23. Edam
Edam is also a cow cheese and is very pretty. It has its roots in the Netherlands and is named after the town it was first made in; Edam. This Dutch cheese is made with either cow’s or goat’s milk and has a creamy texture. Traditionally a yellow cheese, its rind is covered in red paraffin wax, making it look very pretty.
This cheese doesn’t spoil easily and, like wine, tastes betters as it ages. The cheese has a mild, salty, and nutty flavor, but the flavor sharpens as this cheese ages. This cheese complements fruit flavors and is often served with pears, apples, apricots, peaches, melons, and cherries. It is also a great topping for bread and crackers.
24. English Walnut
English walnuts, or just walnuts, are grown on walnut trees and are just little treasure troves of health. The walnut, stored in a hard shell, is hilariously shaped like a brain. Hilarious because walnuts are known as brain foods. Walnuts are great for your heart and brain health.
They have a ton of antioxidants and fiber and are low in carbs. They also have the sought-after omega-3 fatty acids. They also find great uses in the culinary world besides their health benefits. They are used as a topping in salads, cakes, parfaits, and protein bowls. They are also a great snack when you have the munchies!
25. Estragon
Estragon, known to us common folk as tarragon, is a herb that finds many uses in the culinary as well as the medical world. Talking about the former one, estragon leaves are one of the finest herbs used in French cuisine. Its flavor is very similar to anise or licorice.
Estragon complements meats like chicken and fish beautifully. Thus it is used in many chicken dishes like chicken pasta, roasted chicken, and grilled fish. It is also used to make tarragon vinegar, a much-loved dressing, and marinade.
26. Escargot
If you don’t know what escargot is, then let me just tell you. Chances are slim that it will become your favorite snack. Escargot is the name of cooked land snails. No, it’s not a spelling error; I said right, it’s snails. Even though it may not sound very appetizing to you, it is considered a delicacy in French cuisine.
As to how it’s made, the snails are placed on their shells and seasoned with garlic and herb paste. Then, they are baked in the oven and served once cooked. They are served as an appetizer. So, now you know escargot, and you can decide whether to try it or steer clear of it when you see it on an eatery’s menu.
27. Egg Noodles
Egg noodles are simply made with wheat flour and eggs. They originated in China but are now enjoyed all over the world. They are different from regular pasta noodles as it contains just flour and water. The eggs and flour are mixed together until it has a clay texture, then kneaded, rolled thin, and cut into noodles.
The noodles are slightly healthier than your regular noodles as they’re low in calories and retain the health benefits of the egg. They are cooked normally, boiled until they’re thoroughly cooked. Then, you can add them to sautéed veggies and stir-fries or use them to make chow mien or in Pho.
28. Empanadas
Empanadas are a delicious Latin American-Spanish dish. It is a kind of turnover stuffed pastry filled with a delicious meaty veggie filling. It is a much-loved dish in Spain, Portugal, Argentina, and Mexico. It is also a simple snack to make. Round flat pastry dough is filled with a beef and veggie filling.
It is then turned over, sealed, and baked or deeply fried. The pastry becomes flaky and delicious. The filling is not a fixed affair. You can use whatever you feel like; chicken, pork, veggies, cheese, corn, potatoes, or all of them. You can even make sweet empanadas with fruits, cream cheese, sugar, and spices.
29. English Muffins
The English muffin is different from the regular sweet muffin we all love. It is a small, round, flat bread resembling a bun. Also, the English muffin isn’t sweet and has only a bread-y flavor. It is made with a mixture of flour, butter, eggs, and milk with yeast as the leavening.
It is a great breakfast companion as it goes great with butter, jams, jellies, and eggs. The muffin has a crunch when you bite them but has a softer middle. You can serve it however you want. As it gets ready so easily, it is also referred to as ‘quick bread.’
30. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is made by “evaporating” milk (I have got to stop stating the obvious). It is different from condensed milk, which has about 45% of sugar in it. Evaporated milk doesn’t contain sugar in it. It is made by evaporating about 60% water present in the milk.
This gives us the concentrated milk we’re looking for. What do we do with it? Well, it is the perfect consistency for adding to mashed potatoes, Béchamel sauce, or creamy desserts. As it is unsweetened, you can use it to replace milk in any recipe that calls for a thick consistency. Lovely, ain’t it!
31. Extra-Virgin Olive Oil
If you’re a fan of Italian cuisine, I am sure you must have heard about extra-virgin olive oil. It is considered to be the healthiest of fats. A favorite Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, it shines as a finishing oil, a garnish.
It is the least processed as pure, cold-processed oil retains its goodness and rich taste. Despite that, it is seldom used for traditional oil purposes like frying. Instead, it is used in salad dressings or drizzled over meats before baking. It is also used to toast bread or make delicious confits, like the wildly popular garlic confit.
It is rich in healthy fats known to improve your heart health. It also has a good amount of antioxidants. It protects against many health issues like inflammation, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.