81 Foods That Start With H (With Pictures & Facts)

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No matter how thoroughly I hunt for foods that start with H, I always find something new and exciting to add to my to-try list.

Here, you’ll find foods that come from different cultures and cuisines. Some very impressive items are haggis, Hakka noodles, halwa, hwachae and more.

I’m thrilled to discover so many recipe ideas and interesting facts about food. And one thing I can conclude from this search is that the culinary world never ceases to astonish!

So let’s see what surprises this list of foods that start with H has in store for you!

You’ll get to know dishes and snacks, processed foods, beverages, spices and condiments and whole foods which I split into fruits and vegetables.

Dishes and snacks that start with H

Haddock

Haddock is a fish with lean white flash providing a great source of protein. It’s one of the common fish used in fish in chips across the UK.

Haggis

It’s Scotland’s national dish containing several ingredients packed into an animal’s stomach. Though it may sound a little unpleasant, the dish is enjoyed by many and established as a Scottish national icon.

Hake

Hake is a type of fish popular throughout Europe and is sold frozen, fresh, smoked or salted. In the UK, it’s used in fish and chips.

Halwa

This Middle Eastern sweet treat originated in Persia. There are many different types of halwa, some are made with sesame or sunflower seeds, others with grains or peanuts.

Hamburger

Even though there are several hamburger origin stories, the inspiration did come from the seaport town of Hamburg, Germany. Today it’s a very popular fast food item with many recipe variations, even vegetarian and vegan.

I’m sure our black bean burgers and quinoa burgers recipes will inspire you to try something out of the ordinary!

Hash Browns

Hash browns are a staple breakfast food consisting of fried chopped potatoes. The word ‘hash’ comes from the French ‘hacher’ which means to chop.

Herring

Herring is a fish. It’s also an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids. Have it raw, pickled, fermented or smoked.

Hot Dog

Did you know that the world’s longest hot dog recorded was 60 meters long? Hot dogs have also been a popular food for eating competitions with a record of 76 hot dogs eaten in 10 minutes!

Hotcakes

Hotcake is a synonym for a pancake. There are tons of varieties served with different toppings and fillings.

Processed foods that start with H

Hakka Noodles

Hakka noodles are made with unleavened wheat or rice flour. This cooking style is used by the Hakka people – an ethnic group in China.

Halloumi Cheese

This Cypriot cheese is traditionally made from sheep, goat or cow’s milk. It’s a very versatile food that can be fried, grilled and used in salads.

Check out this halloumi salad and broccoli halloumi traybake for more ideas on how to use it!

Ham

The process of making ham varies depending on the region, but it’s basically cured leg cut pork. It’s a popular food used in many kinds of meals and snacks.

Hard-Boiled Egg

One of the healthiest ways to eat eggs! They’re an excellent source of lean protein, vitamins A and D, calcium, and iron.

Havarti Cheese

This semi-soft cow’s milk cheese originated in Denmark. Its springy texture and soft flavour make it suitable for slicing, melting and grilling.

Hemp Hearts

Hulled or unshelled hemp seeds with a mild, nutty flavour. They’re easier to consume but contain less fiber than hemp seeds.

Hominy

Hominy is a staple of Mexican cuisine made from kernels of corn. It can be enjoyed the same way as corn or beans!

Drinks that start with H

Health Shake

Made with a range of ingredients and powered by nutrients, these beverages are perfect for athletes, and they work as meal replacements too!

Hemp Milk

This plant milk is made by soaking and blending hemp seeds in water. It’s a great milk alternative with high-quality protein, healthy fats and minerals.

Herbal Teas

Can be made with spices, seeds, flowers, fruits, leaves and roots. They’re generally caffeine-free and often provide health benefits.

Horchata

A refreshing rice-based drink that originated in Spain as a beverage made with tiger nuts and then was brought to the Americas. A traditional Mexican horchata is made with ground rice, vanilla and cinnamon.

Horlicks

Horlicks is a sweet drink traditionally made with wheat flour and malted wheat and barley. It was developed by James and William Horlick.

Hot Chocolate

A fun fact about hot chocolate is that up until the 19th century it was believed to have medical properties. Now it’s mostly used as a comforting drink to beat the winter chill.

In the United States, National Hot Chocolate Day is celebrated on January 31!

Hwachae

Traditional Korean punches, hwachae, are made by soaking fruits and flower petals in sweetened water.

Spices and Condiments that start with H

Harissa

This red chile paste is commonly used in North African cooking. It has a slightly sweet and smoky flavor with just enough spice to make it a delicious condiment to add to soups, stews, pasta, couscous, dips and more.

Herbes de Provence

If you like Frech cuisine, this aromatic mixture of herbs and spices from Provence is the right blend to add to your favourite dishes.

Hoisin Sauce

A super versatile sauce that makes a great addition to stir-fries, noodles, soups and grilled dishes. It’s mostly used in Cantonese cuisine as a meat or dipping sauce.

Hollandaise Sauce

Also called Dutch sauce, this condiment is best known as a key element in eggs Benedict. It’s made of just three ingredients – egg yolks, butter and lemon juice (or vinegar).

If you’re looking for a mayonnaise alternative, Hollandaise sauce makes a fancy option.

Honey

You probably already know that honey has a variety of uses in cooking. What’s interesting is that, if stored properly, it’s the only food in the world that never goes bad!

Hors d’Oeuvres

Appetisers and starters served before a meal in European cuisine are called hors d’oeuvres. In French, the phrase literally means ‘outside the work’.

Hot Sauce

Did you know that the evidence of hot sauce can be traced back as far as to Aztec civilization? There are many recipes in the world but all of them are connected through one common ingredient – chili peppers.

Chili peppers are an excellent source of vitamins C and A and the reason why hot sauce is actually healthy!

Hummus

Hummus is a well-known vegan staple used in all sorts of recipes. It comes from traditional Middle Eastern cuisine where it’s usually used as a dip.

You can make your own homemade hummus following this recipe. If you want to make it more interesting, this avocado hummus is hummus and guacamole in one take!

Vegetables that start with H

Habanero Pepper

This small hot pepper is named after the Cuban city of La Habana. It’s used to add heat to salsas, salads, chilis and other dishes.

The scientific name of the habanero pepper is Capsicum chinense (for its popularity in Chinese cooking).

Hamburg Parsley

Hamburg parsley, also known as root parsley, has a white and firm root, similar to elongated carrots. The flavour is a mix between celery root, carrots and parsnips. Its leaves can also be used for culinary purposes, similar to common parsley.

The scientific name for Hamburg parsley root is Petroselinum crispum.

Haricot Beans

These small whitish-coloured beans are also called navy beans, Boston beans or white pea beans. They have a mild flavor and buttery texture similar to cannellini beans making them perfect for chillis, bean casseroles, soups and salads.

The name of the species is Phaseolus vulgaris.

Haricot Vert

Haricot verts are slender Frech green beans. They provide more flavour, sweetness and tenderness than regular green beans.

Haricot verts are cultivars of Phaseolus vulgaris (the common bean).

Hass Avocado

Hass avocado is one of the world’s most popular and delicious varieties with dark green bumpy skin and rich creamy flesh. You’ll easily find it in your local grocery stores.

The scientific name of Hass avocado is Persea americana.

Heart of Palm

Heart of palm is a white vegetable that comes from the inner core of a palm tree. It can be added to salads, soups and sauces and work as a meat substitute.

It’s also a good source of protein, fiber, potassium, calcium, vitamin C, B2 and B6.

Hearts of palm are often harvested from the species Cocos nucifera (coconut), Euterpe oleracea (açaí palm), Bactris gasipaes (peach palm), etc.

Hedgehog Mushroom

Hedgehog mushrooms are good edible fungi species with a nutty and sweet flavor. They go by the scientific name Hydnum repandum. And they’re safe to gather because there are no poisonous lookalikes!

Heirloom Tomatoes

Heirloom tomatoes, or heritage tomatoes, are an open-pollinated cultivar of tomato that comes in different varieties, shapes, colours and sizes.

The most common scientific name for the tomato plant is Solanum lycopersicum.

Hijiki

This brown edible sea vegetable grows along the coasts of East Asia. Because of its potentially toxic arsenic content, several countries have advised against its consumption.

Hikiji is scientifically known as Sargassum fusiforme.

Himbabao

Himbabao (birch flower) is a tree, some parts of which are utilized as a vegetable. It’s mostly cooked alone or mixed with other vegetables in salads and stir-fries.

The scientific name of himbabao is Broussonetia luzonica (Blanco) Bureau.

Hispi Cabbage

This sort of cabbage is green and pointy-shaped, with a sweeter taste and softer texture than green cabbage.

It’s also known as pointed cabbage or sweetheart cabbage. The exciting thing is that the French word for cabbage, ‘chou’, is the equivalent of ‘sweetheart’.

Scientifically hispi cabbage is identified as Brassica oleracea capitata ‘Hispi’.

Hokkaido Pumpkin

Hokkaido pumpkin, or red kuri squash, is an orange-coloured winter squash with thin skin and soft flesh. It can add a sweet chestnut-like taste to soups, stews, cakes, cookies and pies. It’s also known for its high fiber content and detoxifying effects.

The scientific name of hokkaido pumpkin is Cucurbita maxima Duchesne ssp. maxima convar. maxima ‘Red Kuri’.

Holland Chiles

Holland child, aka Dutch chile, is a variety of chilli pepper originally developed from the Cayenne. The chiles have a milder heat making them good to use in salads, salsas, soups, curries or stews.

They also provide potassium, manganese, calcium and vitamins A, B, C, E and K.

Holland chili peppers are scientifically classified as Capsicum annuum.

Honeynut Squash

Honeynut squash looks like tiny butternut squash but with a sweeter and nuttier flavour. It’s easy to cook and provides an excellent source of vitamin A, beta-carotene and a good source of vitamin B.

Honeynut squash is a hybrid variety of Cucurbita moschata.

Hop Shoots

Hops are the green cone-shaped flowers of the hop plant used in beer, other beverages and herbal medicine. Surprisingly, they can also be an exotic item to use in the same way as herbs and spices.

Hop shoots are the part of the hop plant that counts as a vegetable. They’re not harvested commercially but it’s possible to hand-pick them from hop farms in the spring or grow them yourself. Turns out they can be cooked like asparagus.

The botanical name of the hop plant is Humulus lupulus.

Horse Gram

Horse gram, also known as kulthi bean, gahat, hurali or Madras gram, is a protein-rich legume often grown for horse feed – hence the name. It has a distinct flavour and is considered a superfood in many parts of India for its nutritional benefits.

The scientific name of the horse gram is Macrotyloma uniflorum.

Horse Mushroom

Horse mushroom is a common good edible species of fungi harvested from summer to the end of autumn. It has a creamy white cap and a rich, strong taste. Be aware of toxic lookalikes like a Yellow Stainer and a Destroying Angel!

Horse mushroom is botanically classified as Agaricus arvensis.

Horseradish

This white root vegetable has a hot bitter flavour, when cut or grated, making it a great spice or condiment. Horseradish root may also have antibacterial properties and reduce breathing issues.

Beet horseradish is a popular recipe in many Eastern European cuisines.

The horseradish plant is scientifically known as Armoracia rusticana.

Hubbard Squash

Hubbard squash is a large winter squash with tough bumpy skin that comes in different colours and can be used in a variety of recipes. The flavour is a mix of sweet potato and pumpkin.

Hubbard squash is a cultivar of the species Cucurbita maxima.

Hungarian Wax pepper

These creamy yellow elongated in shape peppers have a sweet and hot flavour. They are great for many recipes and grow well in cool climates. The scientific name is Capsicum annum ‘Hungarian Hot Wax’.

Husk Tomatoes

Husk tomatoes, or ground cherries, are tomatoes wrapped in a light brown papery husk. They have a sweet taste with pineapple and vanilla undertones. ‘Cossack pineapple’ is one of the varieties that reflects the pineapple undertone.

Husk tomatoes are botanically known as Physalis pruinosa.

Hyacinth Bean

The immature shoots and blossoms of hyacinth beans are edible although vines are mostly grown for ornamental purposes. Mature beans need a long soak and a couple of boils with several changes of the water to be safe to consume.

The scientific name of the plant is Lablab purpureus.

Fruits that start with H

Hackberry

Hackberry is a large tree with pea-sized edible berries. The berries are surprisingly high in calories and rich in protein, fat, sugars and vitamins.

Hackberry fruit has been eaten by humans for millennia. There are many different species and several of them are native to North America.

The botanical name of the hackberry tree is Celtis occidentalis.

Hairless Rambutan

Hairless rambutan fruit is similar to the common rambutan but it doesn’t have any hair-like spikes. The fruits are mostly eaten fresh from the tree and not harvested commercially.

This species is scientifically known as Nephelium xerospermoides.

Hala Fruit

This big edible fruit is made up of numerous segments called cones attached to a core. It has a tropical, sweet flavour and a floral aroma. But if you leave it too long to ripen, the fruit develops a stench, so it’s been nicknamed ‘stink nut’.

The botanical name of the hala tree is Pandanus tectorius.

Hall Crabapple

Hall crabapples are flowering trees that produce miniature apples. These small fruits have a bitter taste when eaten raw but work really well in baked goods, jellies and jams.

The crabapple tree is native to China and its scientific name is Malus halliana.

Hami Melon

Hami melons are ancient muskmelons originating from Hami, Xinjiang, China. Their thick skin comes in different colours – green, brown, golden yellow, yellow with dark green streaks etc.

The name of the species is Cucumis melo ‘Hami melon’.

Hardy Kiwi

The hardy kiwi fruit is the size of a berry or grape, smooth and often sweeter than the kiwifruit. It can have green, purple or brownish skin that can be eaten along with the flesh.

The botanical name of the hardy kiwi vine is Actinidia arguta.

Haruka

Haruka is a citrus fruit grown in Japan and Korea. It’s rich in vitamin A and C and has a mild, sweet taste. The name of the species is Citrus tamurana x natsudaidai.

Hassaku Orange

This Japanese citrus hybrid has a more bitter taste than an orange and provides good amounts of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and fiber. Its scientific name is Citrus × hassaku.

Hawaiian Mountain Apple

The Hawaiian mountain apple, also known as Malay apple, rose apple, plumrose, pomerac or ohi’a ’ai in Hawaiian, is a beautiful fruit tree grown in Hawaii. It bears bell-shaped apples with shiny red skin. They have a unique taste and can be eaten like any other kind of apple.

The scientific name of the species is Syzygium malaccense.

Hawaiian Raspberry

Also called ‘akala in Hawaiian, this shrub is mainly harvested in the wild. The berries are much bigger than typical raspberries bursting with a sour and bitter flavour.

Hawaiian raspberry is botanically known as Rubus hawaiensis.

Hawthorn Fruit

Hawthorn fruits, also called haws, are tiny red berries with a slightly sour taste. They have impressive health benefits including anti-inflammatory properties, improved blood cholesterol and aided digestion.

The scientific name of the hawthorn plant is Crataegus.

Hazelnut

Hazelnuts are round nut fruits from the hazel tree. They’re pointed at one end and surrounded by a hard shell.

They make an excellent source of protein, dietary fiber, healthy fat, vitamin E and minerals. In particular, a 100g serving of hazelnuts contains 60g of fat, 15g of protein and 10g of fiber.

The hazel tree is botanically known as Corylus.

Highbush Blueberry

Highbush blueberry also goes by the names blue huckleberry, tall huckleberry, swamp huckleberry, high blueberry, and swamp blueberry. It’s the most common commercially harvested species of blueberry in North America.

The berries are delicious and can be eaten fresh or made into jam, jelly, pie, ice cream and more.

The scientific name of the highbush blueberry is Vaccinium corymbosum.

Highbush Cranberry

The name of this plant comes from its red drupe fruits that look like cranberries and have a similar flavour. They taste best when made into wines, preserves, jams, jellies and sauces because of their sour flavour.

Highbush blueberry is scientifically known as Viburnum trilobum. It shouldn’t be confused with Viburnum opulus (guelder rose), which produces mildly toxic fruits.

Himalayan Bird Cherry

Himalayan bird cherry is a medium-sized tree that produces red round cherries with an acid flavour. The cherries are generally edible but shouldn’t be eaten when their taste is too bitter.

The tree is botanically classified as Prunus cornuta. The fruit becomes horn-like after getting infected by an insect, that’s where cornuta comes from.

Himalayan Mulberry

Himalayan mulberries are purple or reddish-purple when ripe, fleshy and sweet fruits forming a long cluster of several small drupes. The scientific name of the species is Morus serrata.

Hog Plums

The plum-like fruits of hog plum are very sour and taste best in juice, jellies and sherbets. The drupe fruits have yellow-green skin and small flesh that surrounds a large stone with many spines.

Hog plum is also known as yellow mombin and goes by the botanical name Spondias mombin.

Hokkaido Bird Cherry

Hokkaido bird cherry is a tree with ovoid drupe fruits that are dark red or black when matured. They’re safe to eat only when the taste is sweet or slightly bitter.

It’s mostly grown in Japan and on Sakhalin. The name of the species is Prunus ssiori.

Hollyleaf Cherry

This fruit of hollyleaf cherry has a sweet taste but little flesh surrounding the seed. It was used by Native Americans to make an intoxicating drink from fermented cherries and meals from ground seeds.

Hollyleaf cherry is botanically known as Prunus ilicifolia.

Honeycrisp Apple

Did you know that it took several years of careful planning to develop Honeycrisp apples? The Honeycrisp was born in the 1990s and is now considered one of the most delicious and expensive apple varieties for its honey-sweet taste and crisp, juicy texture.

It also keeps very well in cool, dry conditions and can be stored for at least seven months.

The scientific name of the Honeycrisp is Malus pumila.

Honey Locust Fruit

The fruit of the honey locust is a flat bean pod with edible pulp. It has a sweet honey-like taste and can be used for food, tea and medicine.

The honey locust tree is scientifically known as Gleditsia triacanthos.

Honeyberry

You may also come across the names like blue honeysuckle, sweetberry honeysuckle, or fly honeysuckle. The fruit tastes similar to blueberries.

It’s high in antioxidants and vitamin C and has been applied in traditional medicine in East Asian countries.

The botanical name of the honeyberry plant is Lonicera caerulea.

Honeydew Melon

Honeydew melon is a sweet fruit with light green flesh. It’s rich in vitamin C, potassium, B vitamins and a bunch of other surprising health benefits.

The name of the species is Cucumis melo L. (Inodorus Group) ‘Honey Dew’.

Horned Melon

Did you know that this fruit was featured on Avengers and on Star Trek as an alien fruit? It sure looks like one with all those horn-like spikes and jelly-like flesh. And it tastes like a cross between banana, cucumber, zucchini and lime.

Horned melon is also called African horned cucumber, spiked melon, jelly melon, kiwano, or cuke-a-saurus. The scientific name is Cucumis metuliferus.

Hortulan Plum

Hortulan plum, or wild goose plum, is a wild species with shiny red or yellow plums that taste sweet. The scientific name of the tree is Prunus hortulana.

Hottentot Fig

Hottentot fig, named sour fig for its edible fruit, has several culinary uses and medicinal properties. It can be eaten fresh or made into jam or salad dressing.

Hottentot fig is scientifically classified as Carpobrotus edulis.

Huckleberry

Huckleberries are delicious fruits resembling large dark blueberries. They’re perfect for pies, pancakes, jams, sauces and more.

The fruit inspired many phrases and it’s believed that Mark Twain had it in mind when naming his famous character Huckleberry Finn.

One of the most common species of huckleberry is Gaylussacia baccata (the black huckleberry).

Huito Fruit

Huito, or jagua, is an exotic fruit that can be used to make ice cream, jelly, jam, sherbet, syrups and drinks. The tea brewed from it can also work as a cold remedy.

The unripe fruit provides a natural source of dye because of its deep blue colour extract.

In English, huito is known as genipap and it’s botanically known as Genipa americana.

Hydnora Africana

Hydnora africana is a parasitic plant that produces an underground berry fruit with seeds that are surrounded by an edible fleshy pulp. The taste is slightly sweet and starchy.

Hyuganatsu

This Japanese citrus fruit has a fragrant sweet-tart flavour and light texture. It contains high amounts of vitamins A and C, antioxidants and beta-carotene.

Hyuganatsu goes by the scientific name Citrus tamurana.

How many of these h foods have you tried? Maybe, you bumped into some of your favourite foods while scrolling through the list?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

I also made these separate posts about vegetables that start with H and H fruits. Feel free to check them out 😊