100 Foods That Start With the Letter Q

The letter Q is one of the least used letters in the English alphabet, making up just 0.1% of words. (Q – Wikipedia, 2025) So, it’s no surprise that coming up with foods that start with this unusual letter can be a real head-scratcher. While you might know a few obvious ones, like quince and quinoa, the list is longer and more diverse than you might imagine.

This guide will take you on a culinary journey across the globe, uncovering 100 different foods that begin with Q. From savory dishes and sweet desserts to unique fruits and vegetables, you’ll discover a fascinating array of options. Get ready to expand your food vocabulary and maybe even find your next favorite meal.

Fruits and Vegetables Starting With Q

Let’s begin with the freshest category: fruits and vegetables. While not the most common letter in the produce aisle, Q offers some unique and flavorful options from around the world.

Quandong (Santalum acuminatum)

A native Australian fruit, the quandong is also known as the desert peach. (Quandong, n.d.) This small, bright red fruit has a tart flavor reminiscent of peach or apricot. It’s rich in vitamin C and is often used in jams, pies, and sauces.

Quenepa (Melicoccus bijugatus)

Also called Spanish lime or mamoncillo, quenepa is a tropical fruit popular in the Caribbean and Central and South America. (Real Food Encyclopedia | Mamoncillo, n.d.) It has a thin, green, leathery skin that encases a juicy, sweet-tart pulp with a large seed in the center.

Quinault Strawberry

The Quinault is a large, sweet, and juicy variety of strawberry. It’s an “everbearing” type, meaning it produces fruit throughout the summer and into the fall. (Strawberry ‘Quinault’ Fragaria Plants, n.d.) They are perfect for eating fresh, making jams, or adding to desserts.

Queen’s Forelle Pear

This pear variety is known for its beautiful appearance, with a yellow-green skin speckled with red. Its name, “Forelle,” is German for trout, referencing the fish’s similar speckled coloring. The flesh is crisp, sweet, and juicy. (Forelle Pears, n.d.)

Quararibea cordata (South American Sapote)

This tropical fruit from the Amazon rainforest has a soft, fibrous pulp with a sweet and creamy flavor, often compared to a mix of apricot, mango, and pumpkin. (Quararibea cordata, n.d.)

Other Fruits and Vegetables That Start With Q:

1. Queen Anne’s Pocket Melon: A small, fragrant melon grown for its scent.
2. Queen Apple: A crisp, sweet apple variety from New Zealand.
3. Queen’s Ruffi Grape: A variety of table grape.
4. Quince: A pome fruit that looks like a pear and is often cooked in jams and jellies.

Savory Dishes and Ingredients Starting With Q

Now for the main course. This list includes a wide range of savory dishes, from classic comfort foods to international specialties that prominently feature the letter Q.

Quiche

This classic French tart consists of a pastry crust filled with a savory custard made from eggs, milk or cream, cheese, meat, seafood, or vegetables. A popular variation is Quiche Lorraine, made with bacon or lardons.

Quesadilla

A beloved Mexican dish, the quesadilla is made by filling a tortilla (usually corn or flour) with cheese and then folding it in half to be cooked until the cheese is melted and the tortilla is crispy. Other ingredients like meats, beans, and spices are often added.

Queso

The Spanish word for cheese, “queso,” in a culinary context often refers to queso dip, a warm, creamy, and cheesy sauce popular in Tex-Mex cuisine. It’s typically served with tortilla chips for dipping.

Quahog

A type of large, hard-shelled clam found along the Atlantic coast of North America. (Hard Clam/Northern Quahog, n.d.) Quahogs are versatile and can be used in chowders, stuffed and baked (known as “stuffies”), or eaten raw.

Quinoa

While technically a seed, quinoa is prepared and eaten like a grain. It’s a complete protein, meaning it contains all nine essential amino acids, making it a popular choice for vegetarians and health-conscious eaters. (Quinoa–A-Miracle-Grain-Of-The-Future, n.d.) It has a nutty flavor and a fluffy texture when cooked.

Other Savory Dishes and Ingredients That Start With Q:

1. Quail Eggs: Small, delicate eggs with a rich flavor, often served as a delicacy.
2. Quark: A type of fresh, soft cheese similar to cottage cheese, popular in German-speaking countries.
3. Queen Scallops: Smaller, sweeter scallops found in the North Atlantic.
4. Queijo: The Portuguese word for cheese.
5. Queso Añejo: A firm, aged Mexican cheese that is often grated over dishes.
6. Queso Fresco: A soft, moist, and mild Mexican cheese.
7. Queso de Bola: A semi-hard, yellow cheese from the Philippines, typically eaten during Christmas.
8. Quadretti Pasta: Small, square-shaped pasta.
9. Quail: A small game bird with flavorful meat.
10. Queso Blanco: A soft, unaged white cheese used in Latin American cuisine.
11. Quenelle: A mixture of creamed fish or meat, sometimes combined with breadcrumbs, formed into an egg-like shape and then cooked.
12. Quick Bread: Breads that use chemical leavening agents (like baking powder) instead of yeast.
13. Qofte: Albanian fried meatballs.
14. Queso Cotija: A hard, crumbly Mexican cheese.
15. Qidra: A Palestinian rice dish cooked with meat, chickpeas, and garlic.
16. Qawarma: A traditional Lebanese dish of preserved meat.
17. Queso Crema: The Spanish term for cream cheese.
18. Quadratini: Small, cube-shaped wafer cookies, which can also be savory.
19. Quarter Pounder: A famous hamburger from McDonald’s.
20. Quinoa Flour: A gluten-free flour made from ground quinoa.
21. Quinoa Salad: A salad with quinoa as the base ingredient.
22. Queso Fundido: A dish of hot, melted cheese and spicy chorizo.
23. Queso a la Plancha: Grilled cheese, a popular dish in Latin American countries.

Desserts and Sweet Treats Starting With Q

For those with a sweet tooth, the letter Q doesn’t disappoint. Here are some delightful desserts and confections from around the world.

Queen of Puddings

A traditional British dessert consisting of a baked breadcrumb-thickened base, spread with jam, and topped with a fluffy meringue. (Queen of Puddings – Wikipedia, n.d.)

Quindim

A popular Brazilian baked dessert made from sugar, egg yolks, and ground coconut. It has a firm texture and a bright yellow color. (Quindim, 2025)

Quince Jelly

A sweet, fragrant jelly made from the quince fruit. Because quince is high in pectin, it sets easily, resulting in a firm, clear jelly.

Other Desserts and Sweet Treats That Start With Q:

1. Qottab: An Iranian pastry filled with almonds and fried in oil.
2. Quetschentaart: A Luxembourgish plum tart.
3. Quince Paste: A thick, sliceable jelly made from quince, often served with cheese.
4. Quake-Up: A type of breakfast cereal.
5. Quality Street: A brand of chocolates and toffees.
6. Quaker Oats: A well-known brand of oatmeal and oat-based products.
7. Queen Cake: Small, individual sponge cakes.
8. Quavita: A type of fruit-flavored drink.
9. Quetscheschnaps: A fruit brandy made from plums.
10. Queijadinha: A popular Brazilian sweet made with coconut, cheese, condensed milk, sugar, and egg yolks.
11. Quince Candy: Candied pieces of the quince fruit.
12. Qurabiya: A shortbread-type biscuit popular in the Middle East.

Drinks and Beverages Starting With Q

Quench your thirst with these drinks that start with Q, ranging from classic mixers to refreshing juices.

Quinine Water (Tonic Water)

A carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved. Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, it’s now most commonly consumed as a mixer, especially in a gin and tonic. (Gin & tonic – the first bittersweet antimalarial, 2023)

Quince Juice

A beverage made from the juice of the quince fruit. It has a unique, aromatic flavor that is both sweet and slightly tart.

Other Drinks and Beverages That Start With Q:

1. Quaich: Not a drink, but a traditional Scottish drinking cup.
2. Quassia: A bitter tonic made from the bark of the Quassia amara tree.
3. Quencher: A general term for a thirst-quenching drink.
4. Quentão: A hot Brazilian drink made with cachaça and spices.
5. Quick Reviver: A classic cocktail.
6. Quadruple Ale: A strong style of Belgian beer.

The Final Qs: A Miscellaneous List

To round out our list of 100, here are some more foods, ingredients, and food-related terms that start with Q, spanning various categories.

1. Quinoa Crisps: A snack made from puffed quinoa.
2. Quinoa Puffs: A light, airy snack.
3. Queso Manchego: A well-known cheese from the La Mancha region of Spain.
4. Quinoa Flakes: Similar to rolled oats, used for hot cereal or baking.
5. Quick-cooking Oats: Oats that have been cut into smaller pieces and steamed to cook faster.
6. Quinoa Pasta: A gluten-free pasta made with quinoa flour.
7. Quiche Muffin: A mini quiche baked in a muffin tin.
8. Queso Azul: Spanish for blue cheese.
9. Quail Berry: Another name for the partridgeberry.
10. Quadretti Soup: Soup containing small, square pasta.
11. Quince Wine: An alcoholic beverage made from fermented quince.
12. Queso Doble Crema: A soft, white Colombian cheese.
13. Quick-cooking Barley: Barley that has been processed to cook more quickly.
14. Quorn: A brand of mycoprotein-based meat substitutes.
15. Quadrato d’Asti Pepper: A sweet, blocky Italian pepper.
16. Quesito: A Puerto Rican pastry filled with sweetened cream cheese.
17. Quinoa Crackers: Crackers made with quinoa flour.
18. Quick Rise Yeast: Yeast that activates more quickly than traditional varieties.
19. Quinoa Milk: A plant-based milk alternative.
20. Queso Palmita: A soft, salty Venezuelan cheese.
21. Queen Olives: Large green olives, often stuffed.
22. Qajmak: A creamy dairy product from the Balkans.
23. Queso Llancay: A Peruvian cheese.
24. Quaker Rice Cakes: A popular snack.
25. Quince Brandy: A spirit distilled from quince.
26. Qeema: Spiced minced meat from South Asia.
27. Queso Pera: A semi-hard Colombian cheese.
28. Qubani ka Meetha: An Indian dessert made from dried apricots.
29. Quick-cooking Grits: Grits that cook in about five minutes.
30. Quadrettini: An even smaller version of quadretti pasta.
31. Quinoa Burger: A vegetarian burger patty made from quinoa.
32. Quiche Lorraine Pizza: A fusion dish combining quiche and pizza.
33. Queen Conch: A large sea snail, the meat of which is eaten in the Caribbean.
34. Quinoa Brittle: A sweet, crunchy snack.
35. Quail Hash: A dish made with chopped quail meat and potatoes.
36. Quaker Puffed Wheat: A classic breakfast cereal.
37. Queso Telita: A soft, elastic Venezuelan cheese.
38. Quinoa Chili: Chili made with quinoa instead of or in addition to meat.
39. Qofte me Mëlçi: Albanian meatballs made with liver.

Expand Your Culinary Horizons

From the familiar Quiche to the exotic Quandong, the letter Q offers a surprisingly diverse range of culinary delights. While it may not be the most common starting letter for foods, exploring these options can introduce new flavors, dishes, and ingredients into your kitchen. Whether you’re a trivia buff or a curious foodie, this list provides plenty of food for thought.