Food vocabulary IELTS: Words, meaning, examples

Abundant

Existing in large quantities; plentiful.

The farmers' market had an abundant supply of fresh produce.

Scant

Inadequate in quantity; not enough.

The recipe called for three cups of flour, but I had only a scant amount left.

Generous

Larger or more plentiful than what is usual or necessary.

She always serves a generous portion of dessert after dinner.

Meager

Deficient in quantity; lacking fullness or richness.

The portion sizes at the restaurant were disappointingly meager.

Plentiful

Existing in ample amounts; abundant.

Thanks to the good weather, the harvest this year was plentiful.

Savory

Having a pleasant, salty, or umami taste; not sweet.

The stew had a savory flavour from the combination of spices.

Palate

The sense of taste or the range of Flavors perceived.

The chef's creations cater to a diverse range of palates.

Quench

To satisfy one's thirst by drinking or to extinguish.

The cold watermelon juice helped to quench my thirst.

Munch

To chew steadily and audibly with a continuous action.

He sat on the couch and munched on popcorn while watching a movie.

Swallow

To pass food or drink from the mouth to the stomach.

It's important to chew thoroughly before you swallow.

Spoilage

The state of being decayed, damaged, or unfit for consumption.

The restaurant follows strict hygiene protocols to prevent food spoilage and ensure customer safety.

Perishable

Easily prone to decay or spoilage, especially if not properly stored or handled.

It's important to refrigerate perishable items like dairy products to extend their shelf life.

Moldy

Covered with mold, a type of fungus that grows on organic matter, often resulting in food becoming inedible.

I had to throw away the bread because it was moldy and had an unpleasant odor.

Freezer Burn

The condition of frozen food is when it becomes dehydrated and discoloured due to exposure to air.

The chicken had freezer burn, so the texture and flavour were affected when cooked.

Soured

Having turned acidic or spoiled due to the growth of bacteria or fermentation.

The milk had soured, so I couldn't use it in my morning coffee.

Savor

To enjoy the taste or flavour of something fully.

She took her time to savour each bite of the decadent chocolate cake.

Devour

To eat something quickly and eagerly.

After the hike, we devoured the sandwiches like we hadn't eaten in days.

Nibble

To take small, cautious bites of something.

She nibbled on the crackers as she waited for dinner to be ready.

Melt

To change from a solid to a liquid state due to heat.

The chocolate chips will melt if you add them to the warm batter.

Stir

Mix ingredients together using a circular motion.

Gently stir the sauce to evenly distribute the spices.

Delectable

Extremely pleasing in taste; delicious.

The pastry chef prepared a delectable assortment of desserts.

Bitter

Having a strong, sharp taste that is not sweet.

The dark chocolate had a bitter flavour with hints of coffee.

Zesty

Having a strong, lively, or tangy flavour.

The zesty lemon dressing added a refreshing kick to the salad.

Mild

Gentle or not strong in flavour or effect.

The curry had a mild spice level that suited everyone's taste.

Astringent

Having a strong, puckering taste that dries the mouth.

The astringent taste of green tea leaves a clean feeling.

Legumes

Plants with seed pods are often used as food.

Lentils, chickpeas, and beans are common examples of legumes.

Grains

Cereal crops are used as staple foods.

Rice, wheat, and oats are commonly consumed grains.

Dairy

Products derived from milk.

Cheese, yogurt, and butter are common dairy products.

Poultry

Domesticated birds are raised for meat and eggs.

Chicken and turkey are popular types of poultry.

Seafood

Edible aquatic animals and plants.

Fish, shrimp, and seaweed are included in the category of seafood.