There are so many words in the English language that just don’t follow basic English grammar rules, like how to pronounce bruschetta. This can cause so much confusion regarding how to correctly pronounce words. And many words originate from other countries and then slowly make their way over to the states. This is especially true when it comes to food terminology.
Many of us don’t have any problems pronouncing most food words. But thanks to an increasingly diverse world, we’ve been able to welcome a wide array of multi-cultural dishes into our homes (and into our bellies!) With these culturally-diverse ingredients, it’s become more and more difficult for some Americans to pronounce some of their favorite foods. .
It’s important to learn proper pronunciation when it comes to food terms, like how to pronounce bruschetta or acai, so that we can pass along these learnings to others. So, let’s break it down.
Let’s set the record straight on these 9 commonly mispronounced food terms:
How do you pronounce Acai?
What is Acai?
Acai is a small round berry that comes from the acai palm tree, which is native to Central and South America. They have a deep purple skin, yellow flesh, and have a big seed inside. They are rich in antioxidants, specifically anthocyanins.
How do you pronounce Bruschetta?
What is Bruschetta?
Bruschetta is an Italian appetizer. It’s served on toasted bread with minced garlic, then topped with olive oil, chopped tomatoes, parsley, and salt.
How do you pronounce Espresso?
What is Espresso?
Here’s something that will blow your mind. All espresso is coffee, but not all coffee is espresso. Let that sink in for a minute.
Espresso doesn’t use a different coffee bean, it’s just that those beans are roasted longer which results in a more bold and robust flavor than your regular drip-coffee. And the process of making espresso versus regular drip coffee is also a huge differentiator in why one tastes more concentrated than the other.
A typical espresso shot is 1 oz because it’s more concentrated and a bit thicker, while a regular cup of coffee is about an 8 oz serving.
How do you pronounce Kombucha?
What is Kombucha?
Kombucha is a fermented beverage that is lightly effervescent (that signature fizz). The basic ingredients in Kombucha tea are yeast, sugar, and tea. When mixed together, these ingredients go through a process called fermentation forming good bacteria. Health benefits of kombucha include digestive/gut health because of the lactic-acid bacteria that’s created during the fermentation process, which results in probiotics.
How do you pronounce Kefir?
What is Kefir?
Kefir is a drink make from the fermented milk of a cow, goat, or sheep. It’s thicker than regular yogurt in consistency, but not quite as thick as Greek yogurt. Like kombucha, this beverage also supports digestive health since it contains a lot of probiotics, or “good bacteria” that are known to help aid in digestion.
How do you pronounce Skyr?
What is Skyr?
Skyr is a thick and creamy Icelandic yogurt. It’s different than Greek yogurt in terms of how it’s made; Greek yogurt is strained which results in a higher protein content. On the other hand, skyr is not strained. It’s thickness and protein content come from the cultures used and the amount of milk that is reduced down into skyr.
How do you pronounce Rooibos Tea?
What is Rooibos Tea?
Rooibos tea is a red herbal tea that comes from the fermented leaves of a plant native to South Africa. It has a sweet, delicate, earthy flavor which some people prefer over green or black tea. And like many herbal teas, it’s rich in antioxidants.
How do you pronounce Prosciutto?
What is Prosciutto?
In Italian, prosciutto translates to ham. But we know it’s so much more than that, right? Prosciutto is actually made from high-quality pork legs. After going through the process of salting the meat, and then allowing the product to dry and age over time, it produces a sweet and salty flavor that is both delicate and bold. High-quality prosciutto practically melts in your mouth once it hits your tongue. Prosciutto is a big hit on charcuterie boards these days (see what I did there?!)
How do you pronounce Worcestershire?
What is Worcestershire?
My simple definition for this: Worcestershire sauce is an umami explosion. You most likely have this in your kitchen right now, but if you’re like most Americans, you probably aren’t using it as often as you should be. Use it anywhere you would typically use soy sauce or fish sauce. This one ingredient (while difficult to pronounce) will add layers upon layers of flavor to your next savory dish that you cook up!
Now that you know how to pronounce bruschetta and these 8 other commonly mispronounced food terms, go share it with the world! Be sure to share this post with your friends and family, especially if you think they will find it valuable! Be sure to check out my blog for other useful tips and tricks when it comes to reading, writing, editing, proofreading, and content inspiration!
*All food photos taken from Canva Pro subscription.
