What Are Tropical Foods?
Tropical foods are ingredients commonly grown or used in warm regions such as Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. These foods are often rich in flavor, color, and cultural importance.
- Plantains
- Cassava
- Yams
- Coconuts
- Mangoes
- Papayas
- Pineapples
- Guavas
- Peppers
- Okra
- Taro
- Breadfruit
- Passion fruit
- Tropical herbs
Across Cuisines
In African cooking, tropical foods may include cassava, yam, plantain, palm oil, okra, egusi, and leafy vegetables. In Caribbean cooking, plantains, breadfruit, coconut, rice, peas, and hot peppers are common. In Latin American cooking, you may find yucca, corn, beans, peppers, tropical fruits, and herbs. Asian cuisines also use coconut, lemongrass, taro, tropical fruits, rice, noodles, and spices.
Where to Buy
To buy tropical foods near you, search for "international grocery store near me," "African grocery near me," "Caribbean grocery near me," "Asian market near me," or "Latin grocery near me." Tropical foods can add new flavors to soups, stews, rice dishes, drinks, desserts, and everyday meals.