Are you here to learn some interesting facts about food that starts with D? Or are you here to win that word game?
Regardless of the reason, one thing is for sure: Below you’ll find an extensive list of foods that start with D, including fruits and sweets, and LOTS of fun facts.
At the end of the article, I’ll make sure to ask you about your personal favorites. 😊
29 Most Popular Foods That Start With D
Drumsticks, durum, dahl, dasheen… We have it all! Here are the most popular foods that start with the letter D:
1. Dim sum
Dim sum is a Chinese dish that consists of small steamed or fried savoury dumplings that contain different fillings. The dishes are usually served for brunch with tea.
DID YOU KNOW? The term “dim sum” literally means “touch the heart,” which is why it’s often called “heartwarming.”
2. Drumsticks
No, I’m not referring to the poultry drumsticks but some other type of drumsticks. 💁♀️ I’m talking about the pods from the Moringa tree that are used as a vegetable.
The drumstick pods are pressed to produce Moringa seed oil, and its flowers and seeds are used for making soups.
3. Diet coke
This carbonated soft drink was first introduced by the Coca Cola company in 1982. Diet coke is distributed in more than 180 countries and has become one of the most popular low-calorie carbonated drinks on the market.
4. Dip
Dip sauces are used as a condiment for many foods. They usually consist of a thick liquid, such as mayonnaise, sour cream, or yogurt, and some form of seasoning. Dips for chips first became popular in the 1950s.
5. Dressing
There are three basic types of dressings: oil-based, vinegar-based, and creamy. Oil-based dressings are put first on the salad followed by other ingredients.
Vinegar-based dressings are usually used for salads with raw vegetables because the acidity helps preserve them. Creamy dressings are more like a sauce, so they are put last on the salad.
6. Durum
Durum wheat is one of the most popular types of wheat in the world, and it’s often used to make pasta. Since durum is a bulgur substitute, it is made from durum wheat, and it’s used in bread, pastries, and pizza dough.
7. Deep dish pizza
Chicago is known for deep-dish pizza. The origins of the dish are disputed, but it is widely believed that it was invented in Chicago in 1943 by Ike Sewell and Ric Riccardo. They also opened Pizzeria Uno that same year.
8. Dumplings
Dumplings are a type of traditional Asian and Chinese dish. They are typically prepared by wrapping a mixture of ground meat and finely chopped vegetables to form a dumpling. They can be steamed or fried.
Just make sure not to confuse gyoza for dumplings because the former is just a type of dumpling, while the latter is a broad term used to classify any dish made primarily with a piece of dough.
9. Dough
We all know what dough is, right? It is popularly used for baking bread or pastry, and this fun fact shows how important bread was to Egyptians in the past: Bread and beer were used as currencies (money) by less wealthy Egyptians.
10. Duck meat
Duck meat is high in protein and low in fat, making it a healthy alternative to other types of poultry.
DID YOU KNOW? The Chinese domesticated ducks 4000 years ago and it is still their meat of choice.
11. Dill pickles
Dill pickles are cucumbers that have been soaked in a brine solution for several weeks or months. They are typically served as a side dish with hamburgers, hot dogs, and other sandwiches.
12. Dahl
Dahl is a type of soup that has been eaten in the Middle East, North Africa, and the Indian subcontinent for centuries. It is often made with lentils or other beans, vegetables, and spices.
Dahl is traditionally served with rice or flatbreads such as chapatis or roti. It can also be served as an accompaniment to curries.
See also: 95 Popular Foods That Start With P (Meats, Snacks…)
13. Dolmas
Dolmas is a food item that is popular in the Middle East. It is a type of dumpling, usually made with grape leaves, rice, and ground lamb.
DID YOU KNOW? The name dolmas comes from the Greek word dolmadaki which means stuffed or filled.
14. Denver omelet
This omelet originated in Denver, Colorado. The dish consists of eggs, cheese, and green onions. It is typically served with potatoes or toast on the side.
15. Dijon mustard
Dijon mustard is a type of mustard that is made in the Dijon region of France. It is made of white wine, untoasted or lightly toasted whole-grain mustard seeds, and various spices.
QUICK COMPARISON: This type of mustard differentiates from other types of mustard because it’s made of white wine.
16. Dasheen
The Dasheen plant belongs to the taro family, and the Caribbean people use it to make different types of dishes.
The most popular dish that people make with Dasheen is called Ackee and saltfish, which is a traditional Jamaican dish.
Taro is the most popular name for this specific vegetable. Two popular root vegetables, ube and taro, are quite similar, so it is important to know how to distinguish them.
17. Deli cheese
Deli cheese is a type of cheese that is typically sliced, and it can be made from cow, sheep, or goat milk. The two most popular types of deli cheese are cheddar and Swiss.
DID YOU KNOW? It takes 1.16 gallons of whole milk to make one pound of cheddar cheese.
18. Dandelion greens
Dandelion greens are a type of edible leafy green. They are known for their high nutritional value and are a popular ingredient in salads.
19. Daikon radish
Daikon radish is a long, white root vegetable that is native to east Asia. It is also called Japanese radish or winter radish.
The daikon radish has a long history of cultivation in Japan, China, and Korea. It was introduced to the West in the 19th century and has grown in Europe since then.
20. Derby pie
Derby pie has a chocolate crust and a cream filling. It is named after the city of Derby, England, where it originated from.
21. Deviled eggs
Deviled eggs are a popular appetizer, side dish, or main course for Easter. They are typically served as hors d’oeuvres, often with a dollop of mayonnaise. Their egg whites are darkened with corn syrup, and their egg yolks remain the same.
DID YOU KNOW? The deviled egg originated in ancient Rome where eggs were boiled, and seasoned with spicy sauces.
22. Danish pastry
A Danish pastry is a type of cake that is made with a rich buttery dough and filled with almond paste. It is usually shaped into an oval puff pastry.
23. Dahi
Dahi is a type of yogurt usually eaten with rice or other dishes. In India, dahi is served as an accompaniment to many spicy dishes like channa masala, bhindi masala, and dal.
The consistency of the dish can vary from thin to thick depending on how long it has been strained and how much water has been added to it.
24. Deer
Deer meat (a type of game meat that comes from deer) is a popular food in many cultures around the world, especially in eastern Europe, northern Asia, and North America.
25. Dehydrated food
Dehydrated food, as the name implies, is a type of food that has been dehydrated. Dehydration is a process that removes the water from the food, which reduces the weight and volume of the food, and thus prolongs its shelf life.
See also: 90 Wonderous Foods That Start With W (Whole Meals + Snacks)
26. Deli meat
Deli meats are made from a variety of animal sources, including beef, pork, lamb, and poultry.
They are typically sliced very thin and sold in vacuum-sealed packages or on the counter in delicatessens. Delis also sell other items such as cheeses, smoked fish, and pickles.
27. Dandan noodles
Dandan noodles (also known as Tan Tan noodles or Tan Tan ramen) are a type of Chinese noodles made from wheat flour and eggs. The noodles are stir-fried in oil with shrimp and vegetables.
The dish is a specialty of Shaoxing, the capital of China’s eastern Zhejiang province.
DID YOU KNOW? The name dandan is derived from the Chinese words for “to stir-fry” and “oil”.
28. Dark Rum
Dark rum is a type of distilled alcoholic beverage made from sugarcane byproducts. It is typically kept for a significant period of time in wooden barrels.
29. Drunken prawns
The dish consists of stir-fried prawns with garlic, green onion, ginger, and chili pepper. The name “drunken” comes from the addition of Shaoxing wine and dark soy sauce.
30 More Foods That Start With D
1. Ditalini
Ditalini is a type of pasta that is usually served with tomato sauce. It has a shape of a large, flattened tube that narrows slightly at one end and widens at the other.
DID YOU KNOW? This pasta shape comes from the word “ditali”, which means “thimbles.”
2. Dahi Vada
Dahi vada is a popular Indian dish. It is a savory, thin, crispy doughnut-shaped dumpling made from a fermented batter of soaked lentils, rice, and yogurt. Dahi vada is typically served with cilantro chutney and tamarind chutney.
3. Dolichos Bean
The Dolichos bean is a legume that is grown in the tropics. It is also known as Lablab bean, Horse bean, and Hyacinth bean. They are great antioxidants and are low in fat.
4. Dodder-Laurel
The dodder-laurel is a parasitic plant that grows on other plants. This plant has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
The fruits of this plant are about 10–15 millimetres (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter, and can be found in the Mediterranean and Central America.
5. Demerara Sugar
Demerara sugar is a type of sugar that is made from the juice of sugar cane. It is a coarse, brownish-yellow sugar that has large crystals and a distinctive flavor.
6. Doner Kebab
Doner kebab is a Turkish dish that is made of meat cooked on a vertical rotisserie. It’s usually served with vegetables and sauces.
DID YOU KNOW? The vertically-grilled doner kebab was invented by Hamdi Usta of Kastamonu in 1830 in Northern Turkey.
7. Delicious Date
Dates are 1 to 2-inch oval-shaped fruit with a seed in the middle. Date palm trees are native to the Middle East and Africa. They are also grown in other parts of the world, including California.
8. Dead Man’s Fingers
Dead Man’s Fingers is a drink made from gin, dry vermouth, and orange bitters. It was created in the early 1900s by a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.
9. Dukkah
Dukkah is a spice mix that is popular in the Middle East and north Africa. It is made from a mixture of nuts, seeds, and spices. The ingredients are typically mixed together in a mortar and pestle.
DID YOU KNOW? The word “dukkah” comes from the Arabic word for “to pound” or “to crush”.
10. Doubles
Doubles is a portion of popular street food in Trinidad and Tobago. It is a sandwich made with two pieces of fried bread filled with curried chickpeas, potatoes, onions, and chutney.
11. Darjeeling Tea
Darjeeling tea is a black tea grown in the Darjeeling region of India. It is one of the most popular types of tea in the world.
DID YOU KNOW? Darjeeling teas are also known as the “Champagne of Teas.”
12. Droewors
Droewors is a South African dish that is made from beef, lamb, or game meat. It is usually served with bread and pickles.
My personal favorite is the one that provides lamb flavor, as it is rich and earthy, as well as slightly sweet.
13. Drunken Shrimp
Drunken Shrimp is a dish that is popular in the southern United States. It consists of shrimp, butter, garlic, and hot sauce.
14. Dragon Noodles
Dragon Noodles is a popular brand of instant noodles in Asia. They are popularly known for their spiciness creating ‘a bit of fire in your mouth’.
15. Drum Fish
The drum fish is a type of fish that lives in the deep sea.
DID YOU KNOW? Drum fish is also known as the “drummer” or “tambourine” fish because it makes a sound by beating its tail against its body.
16. Deliciosa Kiwi
Deliciosa kiwi is a variety of kiwi fruit grown in the Mediterranean region. It is a sweeter type of kiwi with higher sugar content.
17. Domsiah Rice
Domsiah is a type of rice that is grown in the southern part of India. It is a long grain rice with a nutty flavor.
DID YOU KNOW? Domsiah rice has a black spot on one end, which is why it’s called Domsiah meaning “black end”.
18. Demitasse Coffee
Demitasse means “half-cup”, so demitasse coffee is a type of espresso coffee served in a small cup. Therefore, the difference between demitasse and espresso is in the size of the cup.
19. Dairy Products
Dairy products are a part of the food industry that is experiencing significant growth in demand.
DID YOU KNOW? The dairy industry is the second largest global commodity market, with total production of milk and milk products at around 1.5 billion metric tons annually.
20. Dover Sole
The Dover Sole is a fish native to the North Atlantic. They are flatfish and are found in deep, sandy, or muddy bottoms of the sea.
21. Dogfish
The Dogfish is a type of shark, which is small in size and has many different names. It is called the “sleeper shark” because it can often be found (not moving) near the surface.
22. Double Cheeseburger
In case you didn’t know, a double cheeseburger is made of two beef patties, two slices of cheese, onions, pickles, and mustard.
DID YOU KNOW? Bob’s Big Boy is credited with serving the first double cheeseburger in 1937.
23. Dabberlocks
Babberlocks or dabberlocks is a type of seaweed found in the North Atlantic Ocean. This brown algae grows in the form of long, thin strands. I personally love the taste of seaweed, and these babies go perfectly with hard-boiled eggs.
24. Daiquiri
Daiquiris are a popular drink in the Caribbean. They are made from rum, sugar, lime juice, and ice. The drink is usually served with a straw and a long spoon.
DID YOU KNOW? July 19th is National Daiquiri Day.
25. Draft Beer
Draft beer is a type of beer served from a cask or keg. It is typically filtered and pasteurized. Now, is there any difference between a draft and draught beer?
The only difference is in spelling: American English commonly uses “draft”, while British English uses “draught”.
26. Draw Soup
Draw, or ogobono, soup is a Nigerian dish made from the fruit of the ogbono tree. The ogbono fruit has a sour taste. It is usually eaten with pounded yam, boiled eggs, and fried plantains.
27. Dosa
Dosa is a type of thin pancake made from a fermented batter of lentil and rice. It is a staple food in the Indian subcontinent.
28. Dried Squid
Dried squid is a dried, shredded, seasoned, seafood product, made from squid or cuttlefish. It is usually served as a snack or appetizer in many Asian countries. Dried squid can be eaten with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili pepper.
29. Dagwood Sandwich
A Dagwood sandwich is a type of sandwich that is typically made of various meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
DID YOU KNOW? Dagwood sandwich is named after the comic strip character Dagwood Bumstead who was often seen eating these sandwiches.
30. Dauphinoise Potatoes
Dauphinoise potatoes are a classic French dish made of thinly sliced potatoes, cream, and cheese. It is usually served as a side dish or as an accompaniment to meat.
25 Fruits That Start With D
Do you know any fruit that starts with D? Well, now you’ll know lots of fruits beginning with the letter D:
1. Dragon fruit
This is a tropical fruit with a sweet and tangy flavor native to South America. Its flesh is white and contains black seeds.
The dragon fruit is also known as pitaya, strawberry pear, and kiwano. It can be made into ice cream or added to smoothies, but most people eat it fresh.
2. Dewberry
Similarly to raspberries and blackberries, the dewberry is a type of fruit known for its sweet taste and great flavor. Apart from that, it is also an excellent source of vitamin C.
DID YOU KNOW? One cup of dewberries contains 30.2mg of vitamin C which is 34% of the daily value.
3. Dried fruit
Drying is a preservation method that can be used for fruit, vegetables, meat, and fish. Dried fruit is air-dried or dehydrated. Fruits are usually dried whole and may be peeled or unpeeled before drying.
4. Damson plum
Damson plums are small, round fruits usually dark purple in color. They have a tart flavor and are used for making jams, wines, and pies. In the United States, damson plums can be found in most grocery stores.
5. Dates
Dates are a fruit grown around the Middle East and north Africa. They have been consumed for centuries, and they are still popular today.
DID YOU KNOW? The word ‘date’ comes from the Greek word daktylos, meaning finger, because a date looks like the tip of a finger.
6. Dried apples
Dried apples are a healthy snack that are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C. They are a great source of insoluble and soluble fiber.
Soluble fiber reduces bad cholesterol levels, and helps maintain blood sugar levels, whereas insoluble fiber improves digestion.
7. Dried strawberries
Dried strawberries can be eaten as a snack, used in baking, or added to oatmeal, cereal, yogurt, and smoothies. They are cholesterol-free, low in fat, and a rich source of vitamin C.
See also: 62 Heavenly Foods That Start With H (Snacks And Others)
8. Dried apricots
Apricots are grown in the region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea. They are harvested from late summer to early winter and can be eaten fresh or dried.
9. Dried bananas
Dried Bananas are one of the most popular dried fruits seen in the grocery store. They are highly nutritious and often eaten as a snack or added to cereal.
Here’s what Healthline says about dried fruit regarding its nutrients: “Dried fruit is highly nutritious. One piece of dried fruit contains about the same amount of nutrients as the fresh fruit, but condensed in a much smaller package.”
10. Dried mango
Dried mango is often used to make desserts or in other dishes.
DID YOU KNOW? Dried mangos contain higher levels of natural sugars and carbohydrates than fresh ones because they’re concentrated.
11. Dried blueberries
Dried blueberries are full of vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals. They are often used in desserts, such as pies and muffins.
12. Dried pineapple
Dried pineapple is rich in insoluble fiber which improves digestion. Insoluble fiber also provides a sense of fullness, so if you’re looking for a way to satisfy hunger between meals, dried pineapple is a perfect choice for you!
13. Davidson plum
The Davidson variety of plum is a large, oval-shaped fruit with dark purple skin and yellow flesh. It has an acidic taste with hints of almond and can be eaten fresh or used in cooking.
14. Duku fruit
Duku fruit is native to southeast Asia and has been around for centuries. It has been used as traditional medicine and as a food source. The fruit is used in various dishes, such as curries, soups, and desserts.
15. Desert Lime
The Desert Lime fruit has a yellow-green color and is round or oval-shaped. This fruit also has a thin skin that can be easily peeled off. Its flavor can be described as tangy, acidic, and tart.
DID YOU KNOW? Desert lime has the shortest flower-to-fruiting time (10-12 weeks) of any citrus species.
16. Dangleberry
Dangleberry fruit is native to North America and can be found in the wild. Its flowers are pink, while the fruit is sweet and blue in color.
17. Doub palm fruit
The Doub Palm fruit grows in the rainforest of Malaysia. The pulp is usually eaten fresh, but it can also be dried and made into powder. The seeds are often roasted or boiled before eating.
18. Discovery apple
Discovery apple is a sweet variety of apples. Discovery apples are native to Blacksmith’s Corner in the village of Langham, Essex, in England. They were first noticed in 1949.
19. Dwarf Banana
The dwarf banana is a variety of bananas that was first discovered in the Philippines. It is also known as “saba” and “lakatan.”
DID YOU KNOW? Dwarf banana trees only grow 8 to 10 feet tall and 6 to 8 feet wide.
20. Delicata Squash
Delicata squash is a winter squash and a cross between the Hubbard and Buttercup varieties. It has thin, edible skin and smooth, yellow flesh.
21. Dabai
Dabai fruit is native to southeast Asia and is grown in the subtropics. It has a sweet, juicy taste that resembles the taste of a peach.
22. Dracontomelon
Dracontomelon is a rare fruit whose flesh is orange and tastes like a mixture of citrus, pineapple, and honeydew melon. It can be found in SE Asia and the Pacific islands.
23. Desert King Fig
The Desert King Fig is a fig fruit tree that originated in the desert regions of the Middle East.
DID YOU KNOW? Desert King Fig is also known as the “Desert Queen Fig” because it is one of the few fig trees that produce fruit in both summer and winter.
24. Dekopon
The dekopon is a hybrid fruit developed in Japan. It is a cross between the Japanese apricot and the Chinese plum. Dekopon fruit was created with the intention to diversify the Japanese citrus industry.
25. Durian
Durian fruit is native to Southeast Asia. The fruit’s color is orange with spikes and it has a strong smell and taste. Due to its look and smell, the Durian fruit is commonly known as the “king of fruits”.
DID YOU KNOW? Malaysia has about 100 varieties of durians, followed by Indonesia with more than 100.
15 Sweets And Snacks That Start With D
Did anyone mention donuts? 😮 Enjoy a tasty list of sweets and snacks that start with the letter D:
1. Donuts
Donuts are often filled with jelly, cream, or chocolate. We all know that, right? Here is one interesting fact you probably didn’t know about donuts: Over 10 billion doughnuts are made in the U.S. each year.
2. Ding Dongs
Ding Dongs are a type of chocolate-covered cake with a cream filling. The Ding Dongs have been produced since 1967. They are distributed in the United States by Hostess Brands and in Canada from Vachon Inc. under the name King Dons.
3. Dots
Dot sweets are a type of candy made of dots that contain sugar and corn syrup. They were originally made by the Mason Company, and the original flavors included lemon, cherry, strawberry, orange, and lime.
DID YOU KNOW? Tootsie Roll Industries bought the Dots line in 1972 and continues to manufacture them to this day!
4. Dark chocolate
Dark chocolate is a type of chocolate that is rich in cocoa. It has a bitter taste and contains plenty of important minerals, such as iron, magnesium, zinc, copper and phosphorus.
DID YOU KNOW? Consuming dark chocolate can improve several important risk factors for heart disease.
5. Doughnut holes
For all of you who have been wondering about where the holes from a doughnut end up, here is your answer: Doughnut holes are small pieces of dough that are cut from the center of a doughnut. They are typically deep-fried and served alongside the doughnut.
6. Dunkaroos
Dunkaroos are small, round vanilla cookies that you dip in chocolate frosting. It’s my favorite 90’s nostalgic snack!
DID YOU KNOW? Canada sold Dunkaroos until 2017, whereas the United States discontinued the product in 2012.
7. Dulce de leche
Dulce de leche is a South American dessert made by boiling milk and sugar together until a caramelized syrup forms. Sounds yummy to me!
8. Double-stuffed Oreos
Double stuffed Oreos are a type of cookie that are made up of two layers of cream filling between two chocolate cookies. Why one layer when you can have two, right?
DID YOU KNOW? It takes two hours to make and bake one Oreo cookie.
(That means it takes four hours to make and bake one double-stuffed Oreo cookie. 🤔)
9. Devil’s food cake
This chocolate cake has a rich, moist texture and cocoa flavor. It is often frosted with chocolate buttercream or ganache. May 19th is National Devil’s Food Cake Day!
10. Dilkush bread
Dilkush bread is a sweet bread that is made from milk, sugar, and flour. It is usually eaten for breakfast or as a snack.
11. Divinity
Divinity candies made from granulated sugar, corn syrup, water, and egg whites. People often confuse them with marshmallows because they have the same texture.
12. Dippin Dots
Dippin Dots is an ice cream snack invented by Curt Jones in 1988. They are created by flash freezing ice cream mix in liquid nitrogen.
DID YOU KNOW? Dippin’ Dots is sold in 14 countries, including Honduras and Luxembourg.
13. Dirt Cake
Who doesn’t like to make a dirt cake for their kids? Just add crushed Oreos and some ice cream, together with gummy worms, and you’re all set!
14. Pandowdy
Also known as dowdy, pandowdy is a dessert made of a fruit filling and topped with a crumbly crust. The crust is made of butter, flour, sugar, and salt. It is then baked until it becomes golden brown. (You can thank me later for this simple recipe!)
15. Dacquoise
Dacquoise is a French dessert that consists of two layers of almond sponge cake with a meringue filling.
DID YOU KNOW? The word “dacquoise” comes from the French word “dacquer,” which means to coat with sugar.
16. Depression cake
The three main ingredients of Depression cake are flour, cocoa powder, and sugar. It doesn’t contain any eggs, butter, or milk. Why?
Because Depression cake was invented during the Great Depression when ingredients were in limited supply.
What’s Your Favorite Food That Starts With D?
Did I help you find the best types of food that start with D? Or did I help you beat that word game? I’m sure I did! (You can thank me later. 😄)
One more thing: What’s your favorite fun fact about these foods? (Mine is the one about the Dagwood sandwich that was named after the strip character.)
