
Food makes our life better! Have you ever wondered what the total number of food items in the world is? Did you know that there is a long list of foods that start with P!
To my utter surprise, while researching I found that there are over five hundred foods that start with P and if regional languages are to be considered, the list won’t end!
You might be reading this article for an assignment or just for some information. Hence, to make things easier for you, we have categorized and listed some foods that start with P from the unending list of food items. Keep reading to know more.
Foods That Start With P: Desserts
Let’s begin with something sweet. What is the first food item that comes to your mind that is sweet and begins with P? A pie? Pie for sure is a food item that is sweet and has P in its initial state, however, there still are a plethora of food items that can satisfy your sweet tooth.
- Panocha
Panocha, a pudding that is traditionally eaten during Lent, is made mainly from ground wheat and piloncillo (sugar). Although one needs a lot of patience to cook panocha, it definitely is worth the effort.
- Parfait
If you are someone who likes to mix and match the ingredients instead of following a standard recipe, then parfait which also means perfect in French is perfect for you. It is a cold dessert made primarily with eggs, fruit, and whipped cream. A food item of choice to beat that heat.
- Pavlova
Although Pavlova is not as famous in the United States as it is in New Zealand and Australia, it surely has the capacity to make place in the hearts of Americans. The main ingredient for Pavlova is egg white. The egg whites are slowly baked in a cool oven. The baking is considered top-notch when one can experience three different textures in one single bite of Pavlova.
- Penuche
Penuche is a tannish-colored fudge-like candy that is made by caramelization of brown sugar. Sometimes, pecans are added to give the penuche a texture.
- Praline
Praline comes in three types – Belgian, American, and French. It is a food item that is rich in carbohydrates and sugar made using hazelnuts and almonds.
Fishes That Start With P
It was fascinating to find out that more fishes that start from P than I have eaten in my entire life. The food items made from the fish mentioned here look delicious. Let’s make these unique fishes starting from P as famous as tuna.
1. Perch
Perch is a carnivorous fish that is mostly found in a pond, lakes, rivers, etc. Although they are relatively smaller in size, they are a great source of calcium, protein, magnesium, and cobalamin. When it comes to Perch, the brown-butter perch recipe is a must-try!
2. Pike
While Perch is a small fish, Pike on the other hand is a long, bony, freshwater fish. They are found and are largely distributed in the Northern Hemisphere, so much so that they are also called Northern Pike. They are a good source of phosphorus and potassium. I once had a chance to taste Baked Northern Pike and let me tell you, it was supremely delicious.
You may also like: Foods That Start With R
3. Pollock
Pollock is the fish of choice in many restaurants and fast-food chains. Wild Alaskan Pollock is considered to be the cousin of cod. Pollock is low in saturated fat and is a good source of lean protein. And if you are someone who likes to mix up alcohol and food, give a try to Beer battered pollock bites.
4. Pilchard
Pilchard is the local name of sardine in Great Britain. It is from the herring family and occurs in large schools on the coasts of Europe. Pilchard curry and pilchard puttanesca are tasty dishes made from this fish. They are a good source of micro minerals, essential nutrients, and proteins.
Fruits That Start With P
If there’s one category in foods that start with P that has the most items in its list then it is fruits.
- Pineapple
Pineapple is one of those fruits that tastes heavenly when it’s ripe. They have two important types – the king and the queen and have a number of health benefits. Pineapple is used in many cuisines around the world. It is also consumed as a snack, and also used as a topping on pizza!
- Pawpaw
If there’s a fruit that looks a little bit like mango and tastes like banana then it has to be pawpaw. From pudding to bread to salsa. You can use this versatile fruit in a wide variety of ways. Pawpaw contains folate, vitamin A, C, and E.
- Pitahaya
Pitahaya is commonly known as Dragon Fruit. It is one of the fruits that looks stunning and tastes good when consumed correctly. Its texture can be compared to that of kiwi. One can make pitahaya parfait, smoothie, pudding, salsa, etc.
- Persian melon
Persian melons can intoxicate you with a strong floral smell when fully ripen. They resemble a cantaloupe. They are juicy and buttery yet firm from the inside. Persian melon smoothie is a must-try.
- Plum
There are over 2000 varieties of plum, they first grew in China and made their way to most of the parts of the world. They are sweet in taste however the sweetness is very subtle. The best part about plums is their health benefits.
Cheeses That Start With P
Cheese makes everything better. From pizzas to sandwiches to toasts, cheese adds abundant taste to any food item it is made a part of. There is a list of cheeses that start with P.
Some of them are :
- Parmesan cheese
Of all the cheeses that start with P, Parmesan cheese is the most popular one. It is an Italian, hard, granular cheese which is aged at least for 12 months. It is very flavourful in soupy dishes such as soups and sauce recipes.
- Pecorino Romano
Pecorino Romano is an Italian cheese made from sheep’s milk. It is hard, salty, and used for grating. Add it to your pasta or eat it as it is.
- Provolone cheese
Like mozzarella, provolone is a pulled cheese. It is a good melting cheese and can be used on sandwiches and pizza.
- Passendale
Passendale is a cheese that originated in a village in Belgium. It is semi-soft and round. Passendale is made from cow’s milk.
- Prgica
Prgica is a conical-shaped cheese that is spicy to taste. It is made primarily in Croatia.
Snacks, Meat, and Drinks.
Some other food items that start with P are mentioned below.
Dry fruits and nuts make for great snacks that start with P.
- Pecans
Pecans are a good source of calcium, magnesium, potassium, healthy fats, fiber and help lower blood pressure.
- Pistachios
Pistachios on the other hand contain minerals, fiber and lower the risk of heart diseases.
- Peanuts
Peanuts can be eaten as they are or by turning them into our beloved peanut butter spread.
- Popcorn
Is movie watching even fun without popcorn? It is a kernel of corn that expands when it is heated. One can make them sweet by adding some caramel or cheesy, spicy, or both! The choice is yours!
- Pizza
Does pizza even need any description? I am sure it does! You can keep reading the article while I will quickly order some pizza for myself.
- Pastrami
Pastrami is made either from beef brisket or from lamb or turkey.
- Pemmican
Pemmican is dried meat that can last months without going rancid.

- Pepperoni
Pepperoni is slightly smokey, soft, and bright red in color. It is a popular topping on pizza.
- Plonk
Any wine that is cheap and low quality is called Plonk
- Pruno
Pruno which is also called prison wine is a mixture of apples, fruit cocktail and juices, candy, sugar, high fructose syrup, oranges, and crumbled bread.
- Poteen
Poteen is a distilled, traditional Irish beverage made either from Potato, fruits (mainly apples), or sugar beet.
FAQ’s:
Which food item starting with P is very popular?
Pizza is the most popular item starting with P.
Is there any food starting with P named after a person?
Pavlova, which is a dessert, is named after Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova.
Which food items starting from P can be eaten raw?
Cheese like Pecorino Romano, fruits, dry fruits, and nuts starting from P can be eaten raw.
Final Thoughts
There is so much variety and options when it comes to foods that start with P. From drinks, to fish to junk food to healthy snacks. Letter P is just everywhere.
One can even try spending a day eating only food items that start with P and try some lesser-known foods we have mentioned in this article. From the endless list, my favorite food that begins with P is pizza. Which one is your favorite?

Eva M. Smith is the owner of this website. She is a 4 year old mother of two and a professional chef. Eva loves to cook for her family, but being a working mom has a lot of challenges. From squeezing in time to do the groceries to make three meals for the day. Eva knows how challenging cooking can be without a kitchen gameplan.
That’s why she perfected techniques of preserving staple ingredients and several foods so that you have something pre-cooked or pre-baked to use for an array of meals. And they do not come short in flavor! And she does not want to sacrifice flavor with convenience. That’s why she is the best person to ask.