There are many foods that start with the letter B. The foods that start with the letter B belong to a lot of different categories.
We will be looking at some fruits, vegetables, and herbs, but also mixed items like different kinds of bread, cheese, and protein.
Most of the foods on this list are well-known and common, but, among the 25 items on this list, you might discover an ingredient you’ve never heard of.
Bananas
Bananas come from a variety of flowering plants and can differ in size, color, and flavor. Not only are they a yummy, protein-filled fruit, but they make a great addition to certain desserts.
Different kinds of bananas can be used for different purposes. Plantains, for example, are a type of banana used in savory dishes.
Bok Choy
Bok Choy is a type of Chinese cabbage that does not form a head but consists of a bulbous stem with green leaf blades. It is the perfect addition to a stir fry or a soup in need of some leafy greens.
Broccoli
Broccoli comes from a plant in the cabbage family. It can be eaten raw or cooked or roasted. The texture of broccoli will depend on how it is prepared and served but the taste is mild and bitter. Broccoli is great for stir-fries and soups or seasoned and roasted to eat as a side.
Bagels
Bagels are a bread product made from yeasted wheat though. They are boiled before they are baked which gives them the characteristic dense middle and crispy outside. Bagels can be made in a variety of flavors or topped with different seeds and are most often served with cream cheese.
Bread
Bread is one of the oldest human-made foods and has been around since the beginning of agriculture. It is generally a baked dough made from flour and water.
There are many subcategories of bread, some of which appear on this list. The taste and texture of bread depends on the flour or grains it is made out of. Some breads are smooth and fluffy while others can be dense and grainy.
Baguette
A baguette is a long, thin, French bread. It’s unique for its skinny shape and very crispy exterior. A traditional baguette is made from wheat flour, water, yeast, and salt. Baguettes are a popular bread for sandwiches or for cutting into thin slices to enjoy with jam and butter.
Brioche
Brioche is another French bread but it is richer and more akin to a pastry because it contains egg and usually milk. It has a light and fluffy center and a crispy crust. Brioche is traditionally used in savory recipes as well as dessert recipes.
Bacon
Bacon is a salt-cured pork meat made from the belly or not fatty parts of the pig’s back. It is typically served fried and is a popular breakfast side. Bits of bacon can also be used as a filling or flavoring for other dishes.
Blood orange
The blood orange is a type of orange known for its deep, red flesh. This coloring occurs due to the presence of anthocyanins which are pigments found in many flowers and fruit, but not common in citrus fruits. Blood oranges taste of typical citrus notes but have a distinctive flavor of their own.
Blue Cheese
Blue cheese is an aged cheese made with cultures of the mold Penicillium. It is a semi-soft cheesy and its taste is sharp and salty. Blue cheese crumbles are a popular salad ingredient but the cheese also melts nicely and can be used in a variety of different dishes.
Brie Cheese
Brie is a soft, aged, cow’s milk cheese that originates in France. It is a creamy cheese contained in a rind of white mold. Brie is the perfect addition to a fancy cheese plate and makes for a great snack with some crackers or baguette slices.
Beans
There are many different types of beans out there, but we are using this spot on the “B Foods” list to acknowledge all the variations. Beans are the seeds of several kinds of flowering plants from the Fabaceae family. They can be eaten as a side or used as the main source of protein in meatless cooking.
Brown Rice
Brown rice is a whole grain rice that grows in an inedible hull which the rice sheds. The bran layer remains on the rice giving it the characteristic brown color. Brown rice can be used in the same ways white rice is used but it has a slightly longer cook time and a different nutritional content.
Butter
Butter is a semi-solid dairy product made from churned cream. It is most commonly made from cow’s milk and has a very mild flavor which makes it a great addition to baked goods and many other recipes that require a fat source.
Butternut Squash
Butternut squash is a winter squash that grows on a vine. It has a taste similar to a pumpkin and can be used in a variety of recipes. Butternut squash is perfect for a hearty, creamy soup or as side for a holiday meal.
Breadfruit
Breadfruit is a type of flowering tree that is native to New Guinea, Maluku Islands, and the Philippines, but it is now grown in many topical regions.
The fruit of this tree is a staple food in many of the tropical places it grows. It is used as food when it is ripe or unripe, but it is not eaten raw and is usually cooked, roasted, fried, or boiled.
Bay-Leaves
Bay-leaves come from many different plants and can be found in many different regions of the world. They are very aromatic herbs and often used for flavoring in soups, stews, and sauces. They can easily be found whole or ground.
Basil
Basil is a leafy herb from the mint family. It is native to tropical regions in Central Africa and Southeast Asia but is now widely grown and has many varieties. Sweet basil is the type most commonly used for flavor in Western cooking.
Barley
Barley is a cereal grain that grows in temperate regions around the world. It is used in soups and stews in many cultures but is most popularly known as a main ingredient of beer and whiskey.
Bell Peppers
Bell peppers come in a variety of colors and are considered sweet peppers. They have a mild, fresh flavor and a crisp, moist texture.
Bell peppers are great eaten sliced and raw with some dip or hummus or they make a great addition to many dishes. Stuffed bell peppers are also a fun idea for a meal with many varieties.
Beetroots
Beetroot is the root of the beat plant which is harvested for both its root and leaves. Beets are great in smoothies or seasoned and roasted. They are the perfect thing to add to a hearty stew and the main ingredient of a popular Eastern European soup called borscht.
Beef
Beef is the name used for meat that comes from cattle. Beef can be prepared in a multitude of different ways. Cuts of beef are most popularly prepared as steak while other parts of the animal are ground and used as hamburger meat.
Blackberries
Blackberries are the fruit of many plants in the Rosaceae family. They grow wildly in many regions of the world. Blackberries, when ripe, are sweet and juices and have a deep purple color. They can be eaten raw or used as an ingredient for desserts.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a common and widely grown fruit. They are a very popular addition to many desserts (like pie) or breakfast foods (like muffins or pancakes).
Boysenberries
Boysenberries are a human-grown hybrid of the European raspberry, the European blackberry, American dewberry, and Loganberry. Boysenberries are soft in texture with a thin skin and a sweet-sour flavor.