Food Trivia Quiz

Think you know Food? Here are 50 Food trivia questions with answers — then play them live against real players in the free Triviarena quiz app.

1. What type of smoked meat is most traditionally included in a classic Louisiana jambalaya?
   • Prosciutto
   • Chorizo
   • Andouille sausage
   • Bacon
   Answer: Andouille sausage
   Andouille is a smoked sausage that is a staple ingredient in many traditional Louisiana dishes, including jambalaya.
2. Before being added to its sauce, butter chicken is traditionally cooked in what clay oven?
   • Kamado
   • Hibachi
   • Tandoor
   • Comal
   Answer: Tandoor
   The marinated chicken is traditionally cooked in a tandoor, which is a cylindrical clay oven.
3. Before the invention of the can opener, how did soldiers in the early 19th century open their canned rations?
   • By smashing them with rocks
   • By melting the tin seals
   • By prying them open with pliers
   • By crushing them with their boots
   Answer: By smashing them with rocks
   Can openers were not invented until 30 years after the can, so early soldiers had to use bayonets or rocks to break them open.
4. Which cheese is traditionally matured in the cave of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon?
   • Gorgonzola
   • Stilton
   • Roquefort
   • Blue of Bresse
   Answer: Roquefort
5. Which language does the ice cream brand name "Häagen-Dazs" originate from?
   • Danish
   • Swedish
   • German
   • It is a made-up word
   Answer: It is a made-up word
   The name is an invented, nonsensical phrase designed to sound Scandinavian to American consumers.
6. In which modern-day region were potatoes first domesticated around 7,000 to 10,000 years ago?
   • Peru and Bolivia
   • Mexico and Guatemala
   • Ireland and Scotland
   • China and India
   Answer: Peru and Bolivia
   Potatoes were originally domesticated by pre-Columbian farmers in the Andes region, specifically around Lake Titicaca.
7. According to legend, a glassblower's apprentice added what to risotto at a wedding?
   • Squid ink
   • Edible gold leaf
   • Crushed pearls
   • Saffron
   Answer: Saffron
   Legend says a glassblower's apprentice from Flanders, who used saffron as a pigment, added it to a rice dish at a wedding feast.
8. How are pancakes in England typically described?
   • Thick and fluffy
   • Unleavened and thin
   • Filled with jam
   • Commercially frozen
   Answer: Unleavened and thin
   According to the text, pancakes in England are characteristically unleavened and thin, unlike their fluffy North American counterparts.
9. In botany, what are the tiny, seed-like specks on the outside of a strawberry actually called?
   • Achenes
   • Arils
   • Drupelets
   • Follicles
   Answer: Achenes
   The small specks on the outside of a strawberry that look like seeds are actually individual botanical fruits called achenes, which contain the actual seeds inside them.
10. Besides the tuberous root, what part of the sweet potato plant is often eaten as a vegetable?
    • Leaves
    • Flowers
    • Seeds
    • Bark
    Answer: Leaves
    In many cultures, the young shoots and leaves of the sweet potato vine are cooked and eaten as nutritious leafy greens.
11. How does North American sherbet typically differ from traditional fruit sorbet?
    • It contains dairy
    • It is served hot
    • It contains no sugar
    • It uses artificial flavors
    Answer: It contains dairy
    While European sherbet is a drink and sorbet is dairy-free, North American sherbet typically includes dairy ingredients like milk or cream.
12. The name "mayonnaise" is widely believed to originate from a port city on which Spanish island?
    • Ibiza
    • Menorca
    • Tenerife
    • Mallorca
    Answer: Menorca
    Many historians believe the sauce originated in Mahón, a port city on the Spanish island of Menorca.
13. What savory sauce is commonly used as the flavorful base component for a cheese soufflé?
    • Hollandaise
    • Marinara
    • Béchamel
    • Chimichurri
    Answer: Béchamel
    Soufflés are typically prepared with a flavored base such as crème pâtissière, cream sauce, or béchamel.
14. Which popular curry dish is widely considered to have been invented in the United Kingdom?
    • Chicken tikka masala
    • Rogan josh
    • Vindaloo
    • Butter chicken
    Answer: Chicken tikka masala
    Chicken tikka masala was likely created by British Indian restaurants in the 20th century to suit local tastes.
15. Which of these foods was introduced to Europe from the Americas during the Columbian Exchange?
    • Apples
    • Wheat
    • Tomatoes
    • Rice
    Answer: Tomatoes
    Tomatoes, along with potatoes and maize, were native to the Americas and were brought to the Old World during the Columbian Exchange.
16. What by-product of the sugar extraction process gives brown sugar its dark color?
    • Treacle
    • Bagasse
    • Molasses
    • Caramel
    Answer: Molasses
    Brown sugar gets its distinctive color and richer flavor from residual or added molasses.
17. In a formal Italian meal, which course traditionally follows the antipasto?
    • Secondo piatto
    • Primo piatto
    • Dolce
    • Contorno
    Answer: Primo piatto
    After the antipasto (first course) is finished, the meal typically moves on to the primo piatto (first plate).
18. What term can refer to the ground cereal in a beer recipe?
    • Adjunct
    • Grist
    • Wort
    • Yeast
    Answer: Grist
    The text states that the most common starch source is ground cereal, which can be called 'grist'.
19. What enzyme found in raw pineapple makes it an effective natural meat tenderizer?
    • Bromelain
    • Papain
    • Amylase
    • Rennet
    Answer: Bromelain
    Raw pineapple contains bromelain, a proteolytic enzyme that breaks down proteins, making it an excellent meat marinade.
20. In 2012, why did the restaurant chain Pizza Hut purchase 14,000 pounds of kale?
    • To decorate their salad bars
    • To launch a new healthy pizza crust
    • To make a limited-edition kale soup
    • To feed their corporate farm animals
    Answer: To decorate their salad bars
    Before kale became a popular superfood, Pizza Hut was one of its largest buyers, using it merely as a garnish to decorate their salad bars.
21. What type of beverage is AriZona primarily known for producing in its tall pastel cans?
    • Energy drinks
    • Iced tea
    • Root beer
    • Sparkling water
    Answer: Iced tea
    While they make other drinks, AriZona is most famous for its iced tea, which was its first major product in 1992.
22. Which of these animals is considered a delicacy in France under the name “cuisses de grenouille”?
    • rabbit
    • Chicken
    • frog
    • Snail
    Answer: frog
23. In the name of the popular Vietnamese sandwich "bánh mì", what does the word "mì" translate to?
    • Wheat
    • Meat
    • Bread
    • Spicy
    Answer: Wheat
    In Vietnamese, the word "bánh" refers to baked goods, while "mì" translates specifically to "wheat".
24. Before moving to the U.S., José Andrés worked at which famous Ferran Adrià restaurant?
    • El Bulli
    • The French Laundry
    • Noma
    • Osteria Francescana
    Answer: El Bulli
    Andrés worked for three years at Ferran Adrià's highly acclaimed restaurant El Bulli in Catalonia.
25. The Arabic word "shawarma" derives from a Turkish word meaning what?
    • Turning
    • Spiced
    • Roasted
    • Stacked
    Answer: Turning
    The name comes from the Turkish word 'çevirme', which literally translates to 'turning', referring to the rotisserie.
26. Which military force pioneered the use of canned ravioli during World War I?
    • Italian Army
    • British Royal Navy
    • French Foreign Legion
    • US Marine Corps
    Answer: Italian Army
    The Italian Army pioneered canned ravioli during WWI before it was popularized globally by brands like Chef Boyardee.
27. What historical event prompted Samuel Pepys to bury his Parmesan cheese in 1666?
    • The Great Fire of London
    • The Bubonic Plague
    • The French Revolution
    • The Sacking of Rome
    Answer: The Great Fire of London
    During the Great Fire of London, Samuel Pepys buried his valuable Parmesan cheese and wine to protect them from the flames.
28. Which Egyptian king reportedly helped popularize the Caprese salad globally in the 1950s?
    • King Farouk
    • King Fuad I
    • King Tutankhamun
    • King Ptolemy
    Answer: King Farouk
    The dish gained international fame in the 1950s after it was reportedly served to King Farouk of Egypt during his visit to Capri.
29. A 'black and tan' famously layers stout over which lighter beer?
    • Pale ale
    • Pilsner
    • Wheat beer
    • Hefeweizen
    Answer: Pale ale
30. What French term describes how soil, weather, and climate affect a wine grape's quality?
    • Terroir
    • Pigeage
    • Saignée
    • Cuvée
    Answer: Terroir
    Terroir refers to the unique combination of environmental factors, like soil and climate, that give a wine its distinct character.
31. What traditional Mesoamerican process soaks maize in alkali water to release niacin?
    • Nixtamalization
    • Fermentation
    • Pasteurization
    • Malting
    Answer: Nixtamalization
    Nixtamalization involves soaking maize in an alkaline solution, which makes the B-vitamin niacin bioavailable and prevents pellagra.
32. The hydrogenation of liquid fats, introduced in 1901, created what substance?
    • Trans fats
    • Glycerol
    • Natural lard
    • Palm oil
    Answer: Trans fats
    Wilhelm Normann's 1901 introduction of the hydrogenation of liquid fats resulted in the creation of what became known as trans fats.
33. What popular Chinese pastry is traditionally eaten during the Mid-Autumn Festival?
    • Fortune cookie
    • Mooncake
    • Egg tart
    • Sesame ball
    Answer: Mooncake
    Mooncakes are traditional Chinese pastries specifically eaten to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival.
34. Why did John Harvey Kellogg change his new cereal's name to "Granola"?
    • To avoid legal problems
    • To sound more Italian
    • To reflect its oat content
    • To appeal to children
    Answer: To avoid legal problems
    Kellogg originally named his cereal Granula, but changed it to Granola to avoid a lawsuit from its original inventor.
35. Which classic cocktail is traditionally made with cognac, orange liqueur, and lemon juice?
    • Sidecar
    • Sazerac
    • Manhattan
    • French Connection
    Answer: Sidecar
    The Sidecar is an iconic, classic cocktail traditionally made by shaking cognac, orange liqueur (like Cointreau or Triple Sec), and fresh lemon juice with ice.
36. Which common pet can develop acute, potentially fatal kidney failure from eating grapes?
    • Cats
    • Dogs
    • Parrots
    • Ferrets
    Answer: Dogs
    Grapes and raisins are highly toxic to dogs and can cause sudden and severe kidney failure.
37. How do chefs typically prevent artichokes from browning after they have been cut and before cooking?
    • Salting them heavily
    • Soaking them in acidic water
    • Coating them in flour
    • Freezing them immediately
    Answer: Soaking them in acidic water
    Cut artichokes oxidize and turn brown quickly, but placing them in water slightly acidified with lemon juice or vinegar prevents this.
38. What Middle Eastern paste is made primarily from ground sesame seeds?
    • Tahini
    • Hummus
    • Harissa
    • Tzatziki
    Answer: Tahini
    Tahini is a common Middle Eastern condiment and ingredient made by grinding toasted, hulled sesame seeds into a smooth paste.
39. What potentially carcinogenic maturing agent is added to some US flours but banned elsewhere?
    • Fungal amylase
    • Ascorbic acid
    • Sodium bicarbonate
    • Bromate
    Answer: Bromate
    Bromate is used as a maturing agent to help develop gluten, but it is banned in many countries due to its classification as a possible human carcinogen.
40. What two philosophies began to change Korean culture in the fourth century CE?
    • Taoism and Legalism
    • Buddhism and Confucianism
    • Shinto and Zen
    • Hinduism and Sikhism
    Answer: Buddhism and Confucianism
    Cultural exchanges with China during the fourth century CE led to the spread of Buddhism and Confucianism in Korea.
41. Which distinctive berry is traditionally used to flavor choucroute garnie?
    • Juniper berry
    • Cranberry
    • Goji berry
    • Elderberry
    Answer: Juniper berry
    Juniper berries are a classic spice used in traditional choucroute garnie recipes, alongside cloves and peppercorns.
42. Which cut of pork is the most common type of bacon consumed in the United States?
    • Pork belly
    • Loin
    • Jowl
    • Neck
    Answer: Pork belly
    Side bacon, also known as streaky bacon, comes from the pork belly and is the most popular type of bacon sold in the US.
43. Which global conflict first caused the canned meat Spam to gain massive worldwide popularity?
    • World War II
    • World War I
    • The Vietnam War
    • The Korean War
    Answer: World War II
    Spam became a staple of soldiers' diets and was introduced to many countries via rationing and military presence during WWII.
44. The word "sorbet" ultimately derives from the Arabic verb "shariba", which means what?
    • To drink
    • To freeze
    • To sweeten
    • To mix
    Answer: To drink
    The word "sorbet" traces back to the Persian "sharbat", which came from the Arabic "shariba", meaning "to drink".
45. The ingredients of a classic Caprese salad match the colors of which country's flag?
    • Italy
    • Mexico
    • France
    • Ireland
    Answer: Italy
    The green basil, white mozzarella, and red tomato make up the national colors of Italy.
46. Which French region is famous for choucroute garnie, a dish of dressed sauerkraut?
    • Alsace
    • Provence
    • Brittany
    • Normandy
    Answer: Alsace
    Choucroute garnie is a traditional recipe from the Alsace region, which borders Germany.
47. What popular idiom describes people or objects crowded very closely together?
    • Packed like sardines
    • Stuffed like turkeys
    • Squeezed like lemons
    • Stacked like pancakes
    Answer: Packed like sardines
    The phrase 'packed like sardines' comes from the tight, efficient way the small fish are arranged inside a tin can.
48. Which European country's growers are credited with creating the modern orange carrot?
    • The Netherlands
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    Answer: The Netherlands
    The familiar orange carrot was developed by Dutch growers, likely stabilizing as the "Long Orange" cultivar in the early 18th century.
49. Which country led world lemon production in 2022?
    • China
    • Brazil
    • India
    • Mexico
    Answer: India
50. Which group was responsible for first introducing tomatoes to Europe?
    • The French
    • The Spanish
    • The British
    • The Italians
    Answer: The Spanish