Vibrant dishes have been turning heads worldwide recently, and this momentum will carry through 2018. But long before Instagram, many cultures had already embraced bright-hued foods as everyday staples.
Red: Red Velvet Cake (USA)
Kicking off the rainbow is red, and nothing says red quite like Red Velvet Cake. The name says it all! While its vivid color isn't naturally occurring, this cheesecake has been an American classic since the 1920s, though its exact origins remain debated. Was it introduced by the Adams Extract Company or the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York? Who knows—but one thing is certain: it's absolutely delicious.
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Orange: Mango Salsa (Central & South America)
The practice of crafting sauces from fruit dates back to pre-Columbian times. Mango salsa is a twist on fresh salsa (Spanish for "sauce"), commonly used across the region and in Spanish cuisine.
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Yellow: Polenta (Italy)
A pale yellow Northern Italian staple, polenta is as tasty as it is humble. On paper, boiled cornmeal doesn't sound exciting—but trust us, it's a delight! Served either firm or creamy, it's found everywhere in Italy, from budget-friendly spots to upscale restaurants.
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Green: Matcha Ice Cream (Japan)
Green ice cream? Sounds like magic—and it tastes incredible! Matcha originated in China but is widely used across Japan, especially in traditional tea ceremonies. Given Japan's knack for blending old and new, it's no surprise that matcha now flavors ice cream too.
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Blue: Butterfly Pea Powder Latte (Thailand)
Watching plain tea transform into a stunning blue is like witnessing a butterfly emerge from its cocoon—hence the name, we imagine! Actually, this drink, found throughout Thailand, is made by brewing tea from the vibrant butterfly pea flower.
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Indigo & Violet: Purple Corn Pudding (Peru)
Move over, regular corn—Peru offers a purple variety! Hard to find elsewhere, it's a must-try in their signature pudding when traveling. Mazamorra Morada blends purple corn, fruits, cinnamon, and sugar for a perfect sweet treat. Bonus: it's healthy too—darker foods pack more antioxidants. Who knew?
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Rainbow: Skittles (UK)
Want to "taste the rainbow" literally? This British favorite candy comes in every color of the rainbow! Fun fact: they're completely colorless during
Rainbow: Mermaid Drinks (Mexico)
Headed to Mexico? Starbucks created an exclusive mermaid drink for the country. What makes it so unique? A blend of green melon crème topped with blue vanilla whipped cream, blue and pink sugar crystals, and iridescent violet pearls—probably too indulgent for worldwide release!
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Rainbow: Unicorn Drinks (Worldwide)
When Starbucks launched drinks swirling all the galaxy's colors, multicolored beverages went mainstream—but unicorn-inspired drinks are available globally if you know where to look! Check out this one from California.
A post shared by Rainbow Unicorn Girl (@rainbow.unicorn.girl_) on Dec 17, 2017 at 4:41am PST
We're seeing more and more wild rainbow foods popping up in wonderfully unnatural ways. From rainbow layer cake to rainbow grilled cheese, donuts, and even mermaid croissants?! The global food scene is getting increasingly innovative—and more fun too!
If that hasn't satisfied your curious foodie side, check out where to find foods in a darker shade of black here >
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