Just as America is a melting pot of people and cultures, its foods also harken from across the globe. Some foods, like bruschetta and beignets, are so commonplace in the US that we forget they were actually brought to this country from other parts of the world. Thus, we should not only enjoy these foods, but also do those countries the honor of pronouncing their foods correctly.
1. Açaí: ah-sigh-ee
This purple berry is the latest superfood that all the health nuts are obsessed with.
2. Aioli: ay-oh-lee
This garlic-flavored mayonnaise comes to us from France.
3. Beignet: benn-yay
This popular dessert from New Orleans actually has its roots in France.
4. Bruschetta: broo-sket-tuh
In Italian the letters “che” sound like a “k.”
5. Cognac: kohn-yack
And yes, this French brandy might make you yack.
6. Espresso: ess-press-oh
Most Americans pronounce the drink “ex-press-oh”, but if you walk into an Italian café they will correct you.
7. Gyro: yeer-oh
This roasted meat sandwich made its way from Greece to the US through Chicago.
8. Niçoise: nee-swahz
While the term “niçoise” typically brings to mind a salad with tuna on it, this word is actually used to refer to any style of food that has its roots in Nice, France.
9. Pho: fuh
Don’t pho-get it.
10. Worcestershire: wus-tuh-shur
This sauce, most commonly used on red meats, is actually easier to pronounce than its spelling lets on.