Not all foods are colorful and exciting.
Some are actually quite drab, like gray foods.
But just because the food isn’t colorful doesn’t mean that they’re still not delicious.
In fact, some of the best-tasting foods are gray. So don’t write them off just yet!
We’ve compiled the list of gray foods listed in alphabetical order.
Here is a list of all the different food-colored lists with pictures if you’re looking for other colored foods:
1. Baobab Fruit
Baobab is a fruit from the Adansonia genus of trees. It’s known for its antioxidant properties and high levels of vitamin C.
The baobab fruit tree was first discovered by explorer and botanist Michel Adanson on the island of Sor in 1749.
The fruit is an egg-shaped capsule with a velvet-covered, gray exterior and gourd-like interior. It contains fleshy pulp and tastes sweet and citrusy.
Fact: The pulp of a baobab fruit contains ten times the amount of vitamin C found in an orange.
2. BBQ Eggplant Dip
Bored of dull eggplants? This next food item will definitely break the monotony.
The dip has its origin in the Eastern Mediterranean and is also known as baba ganoush, derived from the Arabic phrase baba gannuj.
It’s made with roasted eggplant, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. The dip is then mixed together until it becomes creamy.
You can enjoy this as it is or use it as a spread. It’s also a healthy option, with plenty of fiber, vitamins A and C, calcium, and iron.
3. Charleston Gray Watermelon
These huge, elongated melons, typically named for their dark green rind with gray stripes, were discovered in 1954 by the horticulturist Charles Fredric Andrus.
Charleston gray watermelon is a variety of heirloom watermelon first grown in the southern United States.
The flesh is pink in color and is said to be very sweet and juicy. This watermelon is perfect for summertime picnics and barbecues. It is a healthy choice as well, with lycopene, vitamins A, C, and potassium.
Fact: Watermelon gets its name from the city of Charleston, South Carolina, where it was first cultivated.
4. Cheetos
You might not believe it, but one of the most popular snacks in America is actually gray.
Cheetos are a type of corn chip flavored with cheese. They were invented in 1948 by Fritos creator Charles Elmer Doolin in Dallas, Texas.
The chips are made from cornmeal and cheese seasonings. They also contain vegetable oil for that satisfying crunch you love. Afterward, they are dusted with red or orange Cheeto dust called “cheetle.”
Cheetos are not the healthiest choice, but they do provide some essential nutrients like niacin, iron and riboflavin, vitamin E, and thiamin.
5. Dried Fish
Fresh fish quickly degrades unless it is preserved in some way. Hence, the 19th century saw the rise in popularity of drying fish to preserve it.
The fish was earlier dried out on rocks by the Portuguese. This method of preservation also concentrates the flavor, making it more intense.
Drying fish prevents bacteria from growing and spoiling the fish. Additionally, it is a good source of selenium, protein, copper, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids and is also low in calories and fat.
Fact: Dried fish can last for up to three years if stored properly.
6. Earl Gray Cupcakes
Earl gray cupcakes are a kind of cupcake flavored with earl gray tea. It is a delicious dessert while also containing nutrients like protein, sodium, and potassium.
They are made by adding steeped earl gray tea leaves to the batter, which gives the cupcakes a unique flavor and aroma.
Earl gray cupcakes are often made with a vanilla or lemon cake base and are topped with buttercream or cream cheese frosting.
Cupcakes were first invented by Amelia Simmons in 1796.
7. Earl Gray Macarons
The next gray food on our list is for all dessert lovers!
Earl gray macarons are French cookies that are made with almond flour, sugar, egg whites, and earl gray tea.
The earl gray macaron has a crispy shell and a chewy center. They are often filled with a flavored buttercream, ganache, or curd. These cookies make for a perfect snack.
Macarons were invented in France by Queen Catherine De Medici that has been around since the 1830s.
Fact: Macarons are often mistaken for macaroons, which are completely different cookies made from coconut.
8. Gray Anchovies
The gray anchovies are small, common salt-water forage fish native to the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.
Belonging to the family Engraulidae, they are often used as human food or bait. The color of these anchovies belongs to the gray color family.
Gray anchovies carry a distinct flavor found in meals high in the amino acid glutamate, known as umami. Normally, they are fileted, salted, and canned in oil.
They are an exceptional source of vitamin B3—or niacin and also contain high amounts of selenium, iron, and calcium.
Fact: Because anchovies are fish that can concentrate on domoic acid, eating them whole makes them poisonous to humans.
9. Gray Cake
The next addition is a gray cake.
It is a type of cake that is covered in gray icing or fondant. The most common flavor for a gray cake is vanilla, but it can be made with any flavor you like.
The cake can also be decorated with edible flowers, pearls, or other decorations.
A gray cake is perfect for a modern or chic wedding. It is a unique and stylish alternative to the traditional white wedding cake.
10. Gray Cake Pops
This food item is a hit amongst the children mainly because it is a kind of cake styled as a lollipop.
The history of cake pops dates back to 2008 with their invention by Bakerella, an Atlanta-based baker who goes by the name Angie Dudley.
Gray cake pops are made into bite-sized balls and then coated in gray candy or chocolate. They are perfect for parties and are sure to be a hit with your guests.
Gray cake pops are also a good source of sodium, potassium, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and protein.
11. Gray Clams
Gray clams or hard-shell clams can be found living on the mud flats of the eastern seaboard.
Gray clams vary in size from 1 inch to 4 inches wide and have a color range that includes white through gray with dark bands; some even turn red when cooked.
The meat of gray clams is sweet and tender, making it a popular choice for use in clam chowder and other seafood dishes. Furthermore, they can also be steamed.
Gray clams are a good source of DHA and EPA omega-3, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin C, potassium, and magnesium.
12. Gray Cocktail
The next food item on our list is a renowned beverage.
The gray cocktail has a unique blue-gray color because it contains crème de violette, an ingredient that’s found in many absinthes.
This drink is made with lemon juice, gin, maraschino, cherry liqueur, and blue curaçao. It is a refreshing and flavorful drink.
The Farmers Cabinet, a book published in the United States in 1803, had the first written reference to cocktails as a beverage.
13. Gray Edible Mushrooms
The next food is the gray edible mushroom which is of the Tricholoma terreum genus.
Mainly found in Europe, this type of mushroom has a gray cap with white gills and a short, thick stem. Gray edible mushrooms are also known as “gray knight or dirty tricholoma.”
They are extensively high in vitamins and minerals while also being low in calories, fat and are cholesterol-free.
Some of the nutrients found in gray edible mushrooms include sucrose, xylose, fructose, amino acids, proteins, fatty acids, and vitamins like folate, riboflavin, and thiamine.
14. Gray Hubbard Squash
Gray hubbard squash, as the name suggests, is a squash that has a bluish-gray color.
Gray hubbard squash is a vegetable whose original variety is native to South America and has been grown in New England since the 1830s.
This large, round squash has tapering ends and a smooth to warty hard rind. The flesh of the gray hubbard squash is orange and has a nutty taste.
This squash is a vital source of vitamin C, A, B6, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, and copper.
Fact: It is the only gray vegetable.
15. Gray Ice Cream (Black Sesame Ice Cream)
Black sesame is one of the most well-liked ice cream flavors in Japan.
This flavorful treat is made from a delicious vanilla ice cream base with black sesame paste to give it an amazing taste and dark gray/black color.
The main ingredients in this ice cream are soy milk, double cream, caster sugar, egg yolks, and of course, black sesame paste.
Black sesame seeds have an abundance of macro-minerals like magnesium and calcium; additionally, they also contain vitamin A.
Fact: In Japan, black sesame is also known as Kurogoma.
16. Gray Morels
Belonging to the group Sac fungi, the gray morel is an edible fungi from the genus Morchella tomentosa.
Gray morels are easily recognized by their two main color types, gray and blonde. They have a dense pattern of pits on the caps as well as stems that tend to be darker in texture than most other species.
Native to regions across the northern hemisphere, they were only given their species status in 2008.
Gray morel is an excellent source of minerals like copper and also contains phosphorus and calcium.
Facts: Of all the edible mushrooms, gray morels contain the most vitamin D.
17. Gray Mullet
The next food—gray mullet, is a fish from the family of Mugilidae.
Gray mullets have a long history that dates back to Roman times. Gray mullets have served as an important source of food for Mediterranean fishermen since then.
They are hardy with an upper lip that’s thick and prominent and are often called “thick-lipped” due to their appearance.
Gray mullets are a common fish found in European waters. It’s about 50 cm long and has a grayish hue.
Moreover, gray mullets contain necessary nutrients such as omega-3, vitamin B6, potassium, selenium, and phosphorus.
18. Gray Owl Cheese
The name of this cheese is a tribute to the revolutionary conservationist Archibald Belaney who was fondly known as “gray owl” for his admiration of Native American culture.
Known for its rich flavor, the gray owl is the perfect cheese to enjoy with wine or beer. This cheese has a dense and creamy texture with a sharp and tangy flavor.
Originating from Quebec, Canada, gray owl cheese is made from pasteurized goat’s milk and has an ash gray rind.
Gray owl cheese is a good source of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin B12.
Fact: This popular goat cheese has won multiple international awards.
19. Gray Salt
Gray salt, also known as Sel gris or Celtic sea salt, is a type of unrefined sea salt that has a gray color. It is made from evaporated seawater that contains clay and minerals.
Usually originating from the Atlantic coast of France, this salt gets its distinct color and flavor from the clay found in the evaporated seawater.
Some of the minerals found in gray salt include sodium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, zinc, iodine, phosphorus, and iron.
Fact: There are 75 useful minerals in French gray sea salt.
20. Huitlacoche
Huitlacoche, also known as Cuitlacoche, is a type of corn smut. It is a fungus that causes infection in the kernels of corn.
This infection results in the formation of gray/black galls or tumors on the ears of corn. These galls are actually edible and have a unique flavor.
The Aztecs were among the first to enjoy huitlacoche as part of their diet. They carry a tangy, pungent smell very similar to a truffle.
This delicacy is a good source of proteins, manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, fatty acids, lysine, and sodium.
Fact: Huitlacoche is also known as the “Mexican truffle.”
21. Mackerels
Mackerel fish belong to the family Scombridae.
A close relative of tuna, mackerel is found in the Atlantic ocean, from the New England coast to the Carolinas, and in the Eastern Atlantic south of Spain.
The fish swims quickly and has a streamlined body, forked tail, and pointed head. It has a gray body and vertical stripes on its back.
Mackerel provides us with a wide range of vitamins and minerals like B2, B3, B6, and B12, vitamin D, copper, selenium, and iodine.
Fact: The term “mackerel” comes from Old French and means either “marked, spotted” or “pimp, procurer.”
22. Milk Chocolate Gems
These are chocolate candies that have a creamy milk chocolate center and a hard candy shell. They come in different colors, including gray.
The shells are made of sugar and cocoa butter, while the centers are made of milk, sugar, cocoa butter, and vanilla extract.
Milk chocolate gems are a good source of magnesium and copper. They also contain vitamins such as vitamins B2 and B6.
Fact: Daniel Peter, a Swiss manufacturer, first created milk chocolate in 1875.
23. Mushroom Soup
This creamy soup recipe was first discovered in 1934 by the Campbell Soup Company in the United States.
The soup, which is light gray in color, is made with mushrooms and other ingredients like butter, green coriander, cream, lemon, and corn flour.
Mushroom soup has a beef stroganoff flavor, is usually thick and creamy, and has an earthy flavor. Additionally, it works nicely with meatloaf and casseroles.
Alongside being a great source of selenium, the soup is also rich in sodium, potassium, fiber, carbohydrates, and vitamins B6, B12, C, E, and K.
24. Muskmelon
The muskmelons are round in shape and have hard, grayish-brown outer skin. They are indigenous to Persia, Iran, and the surrounding regions to the west and east.
The first ever mention of the muskmelons dates back to the 3rd century BC in Greece. They are known for their sweet and musky taste.
This summer fruit is low in calories and high in fiber, vitamin C, vitamin A, folate, potassium, and protein.
Facts: The name “muskmelon” comes from the fruit’s overpowering musky aroma.
25. Oysters
Oysters are invertebrate animals that live in the sea. They have a soft body and outer shell covering. Oysters were a significant food source in Australia as early as 10,000 years ago.
Oyster shells have an oval or pear shape. Their internal shell is often porcelain white, while their outside shell is typically whitish-gray.
Oysters are an excellent source of vitamin D, copper, zinc, manganese, calcium, vitamin B12, zinc, and iron.
Fact: Interestingly, oysters have the ability to change their sex.
26. Sage
Sage is an evergreen perennial plant believed to be from the Mediterranean region.
Scientifically called Salvia officinalis, sage is a woody subshrub with grayish-green leaves and blue or violet flowers. It is used to flavor fatty meats, sausages, beans, and vegetables.
The Latin word “salvere,” which means “to be saved,” is the source of the botanical name for sage.
Sage contains essential elements like magnesium, zinc, and copper, in addition to a high concentration of vitamin K.
Facts: Sage was once prized for its medicinal value.
27. Salted Plums
Salted plums are a snack food made of dried plums flavored with salt. The fruit is native to China and has been popular in Asia for centuries.
The Chinese name for salted plum is “huamei.” In Japanese, it is called “umeboshi,” which means “dried plum.”
Salted plums are usually gray in color and have a sweet or sour taste. They are a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as dietary fibers, potassium, manganese, and fiber.
Fact: In Mexico, they are regarded as candy. Salted plums are used occasionally in the well-known Mexican cocktail michelada.
28. Truffles
Truffles were first consumed in West Asia 6,000 years ago. They are gray underground fungus that grow on tree roots.
They have an earthy flavor, are typically 30-60 grams in size, and smell musky and pungent. You can add raw, grated truffles to sauces, chicken, fish, pasta, and eggs.
They can also be blended with butter or olive oil.
Truffles have an outstanding nutrient profile. They contain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and micronutrients like vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, sodium, and iron.
29. Yellow Dragon Fruit
The next food is yellow on the outside and gray on the inside.
Yellow dragon fruit, also known as the “pitaya,” is a tropical fruit that’s native to the northern region of South America and Southern Mexico.
Dragon fruits range in size and form from oval to oblong, and the flesh is flecked with small, black edible seeds. They are regarded as the sweetest of all dragon fruit varieties.
Yellow dragon fruit has a high amount of potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Additionally, it has dietary fiber, iron, vitamins A and C, and niacin.
30. Yellow Grapefruits
A yellow grapefruit is a citrus fruit that belongs to the Rutaceae family.
The fruit most likely came from Barbados. It is oval or oblong-shaped, with a smooth, yellow exterior and juicy flesh ranging from gray to orange or red.
Grapefruits are a hybrid of two other citrus fruits—sweet orange and pomelo. The term was first coined by John Lunan in 1814.
Yellow grapefruits are a good source of vitamins C and A, as well as dietary fiber, thiamine, potassium, folate, and magnesium.
Fact: Grapefruit was initially known as the “forbidden fruit.”
31. Yellow Passion Fruit
The yellow passion fruit is a vine species of the genus Passiflora ligularis. It is native to southern Brazil, Paraguay, and northern Argentina.
Passion fruits are typically round or oval and can range in size from that of lemon to about the size of a grapefruit. The flesh is juicy and filled with seeds.
Depending on where it grows, yellow passion fruit can have either yellow or orange skin. It features a mass of gray seeds in a pulp and white flesh.
Passion fruits are an excellent source of vitamins C, A, B6 (Pyridoxine), and B3 (Niacin), as well as beta carotene, dietary fiber, and potassium.
32. Yubari King
Our next pick is the yubari king, a type of cantaloupe grown in Yūbari, Hokkaidō, Japan.
Scientifically known as Cucumis melo L. It is an orange-fleshed hybrid melon formed by crossbreeding Earl’s Favorite and Burpee’s Queen.
The fruit has a uniform spherical shape with a smooth grayish skin that is slightly ribbed. Its interior consists of luscious flesh with a syrupy-sweet, honey-like taste.
The Yubari King melon is rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9 and also has dietary fiber, potassium, and calcium.
Fact: Yubari king is the most expensive fruit in the world.
33. Wood Apple
The final item on this list is the wood apple, scientifically known as Limonia acidissima.
Wood apples are native to India and Southeast Asia. They grow on large trees and can reach up to 30 cm in diameter.
It has a tough, gray exterior, and the flesh is brown and pulpy with a sweet flavor and aroma. They can be eaten as it is or even be made into juice.
Wood apples are an excellent source of potassium, manganese, crude fiber, iron, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, and Vitamin C
Fact: Wood apples are also known as “elephant apples” because they are a favorite of elephants.
Foods That Are Gray In Color
Ingredients
- Baobab Fruit
- BBQ Eggplant Dip
- Charleston Gray Watermelon
- Cheetos
- Dried Fish
- Earl Gray Cupcakes
- Earl Gray Macarons
- Gray Anchovies
- Gray Cake
- Gray Cake Pops
- Gray Clams
- Gray Cocktail
- Gray Edible Mushrooms
- Gray Hubbard Squash
- Gray Ice Cream (Black Sesame Ice Cream)
- Gray Morels
- Gray Mullet
- Gray Owl Cheese
- Gray Salt
- Huitlacoche
- Mackerels
- Milk Chocolate Gems
- Mushroom Soup
- Muskmelon
- Oysters
- Sage
- Salted Plums
- Truffles
- Yellow Dragon Fruit
- Yellow Grapefruits
- Yellow Passion Fruit
- Yubari King
- Wood Apple