A delicacy is usually a rare and expensive food item that is considered highly desirable, sophisticated, or peculiarly distinctive within a given culture. Irrespective of local preferences, such a label is typically pervasive throughout a region. Often this is because of unusual flavors or characteristics or because it is rare or expensive compared to standard staple foods.
Delicacies vary per different countries, customs and ages. Flamingo tongue was a highly prized dish in ancient Rome, but is not commonly eaten in modern times. Lobsters were considered poverty food in North America until the mid-19th century[1] when they started being treated, as they were in Europe, as a delicacy. Some delicacies are confined to a certain culture, such as fugu in Japan, bird's nest soup (made out of swiftlet nests) in China, and ant larvae (escamoles) in Mexico or refer to specific local products, such as porcino, venison or anchovy.
^Behaviour : an International Journal of Comparative Ethology: Supplement. Behaviour : an International Journal of Comparative Ethology: Supplement. E.J. Brill. 1964. p. 66. Retrieved 31 January 2015. ISSN 0169-7544. Quote: "Black-headed gulls eggs" have been, and still are, renowned as a delicacy".
^Wheeler, E.J. (1903). Current Literature. American periodical series, 1850-1900. Current Literature Publishing Company. p. 760. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
^London, J.W.P.L.A.L.U.C. (2009). The Andes. LANDSCAPES OF IMAGINATION. Oxford University Press, USA. p. 156. ISBN978-0-19-973107-7. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
^Dendinger, R.; Gritzner, C.F. (2009). Scotland. Modern World Nations Series. Facts On File, Incorporated. p. 41. ISBN978-1-4381-0538-3. Retrieved 31 January 2015.
^Herz, Rachel (28 January 2012). "You eat that?". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
^Florence, M.; Gierlich, M.; Nystrom, A.D. (2001). Rocky Mountains. LONELY PLANET ROCKY MOUNTAINS (in Czech). Lonely Planet. ISBN978-1-86450-327-2. Retrieved 31 January 2015.