Hungry for something new? Maybe skip these overrated foods. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at foods, some quite delicious, that have gained widespread popularity, but have been hyped way out of proportion.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 Now, bacon has always been popular, but I feel like in the last 10 years, I mean, they're putting bacon on ice cream.
00:05 You name it, bacon is paired with it.
00:07 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at foods, some quite delicious, that have gained widespread popularity,
00:13 but may have been hyped way out of proportion.
00:15 There is nothing like sturgeon caviar exploding on your tongue for the first time.
00:20 Number 20, foie gras.
00:23 Foie gras traditionally has been created by forcefully overfeeding ducks or geese.
00:28 Now, foie gras can be duck liver or goose liver.
00:30 This is actually duck liver, and it actually looks like a sort of block of butter.
00:33 Regardless of whether or not you like foie gras, this method of production is problematic.
00:37 Now, there are newer production methods that take a more ethical approach,
00:41 but even with our conscious eased, foie gras still makes the list.
00:45 Sure, if prepared properly, it can be quite delicious, and a special culinary experience.
00:49 It tastes like butter. It tastes like the most delicious, velvety, buttery, creamy deliciousness.
00:55 But its reputation as a delicacy doesn't measure up to the hype around it.
00:59 Often, it's on a menu just so a restaurant can say they have it,
01:02 not because they're truly creating something special with it.
01:04 Number 19, cauliflower.
01:07 We're not going to deny the nutritional value of cauliflower.
01:10 We know it's filled with vitamins and nutrients,
01:12 and there are many people for whom it is a perfect fit for their taste buds.
01:15 Although cauliflower is a great substitute for other things,
01:18 it really does have its own distinct characteristics and flavor.
01:21 There are so many cool ways to transform cauliflower into completely different preparations.
01:25 However, the recent explosion of using cauliflower to replace many of our favorite carbohydrate-rich foods
01:31 has gotten a little out of hand.
01:32 Oh, that is so good. A beautiful cauliflower steak in under 10 minutes.
01:37 Is it just us, or are there more cauliflower crust pizzas in the grocery store freezer than regular crust ones?
01:42 And we don't want to offend anyone here, but we're just going to say it.
01:45 Cauliflower rice isn't rice!
01:49 Number 18, sriracha.
01:51 Sure, we like a little spicy on our food,
01:53 and have been known to toss on some sriracha to up the hot quotient at times.
01:57 Until about a decade ago, the only bottle of red sauce you'd find on a table was ketchup.
02:02 These days, there's a newcomer, sriracha.
02:05 However, we've also been known to grab some Frank's Red Hot or Tabasco
02:09 or some small-batch artisanal hot sauce from our local grocery store.
02:13 The point being that hot sauce is great, but as good as sriracha is,
02:16 we aren't quite sure why it has become the de facto hot sauce in so many recipes and restaurants.
02:21 It's been the standard, and it is everywhere.
02:23 It's thick, so it stays on your food kind of like ketchup,
02:26 but it's hot, and it's garlicky, and then it's got that sweetness to balance all of that out.
02:31 And to make it onto some restaurant's tables right there next to the ketchup and mustard?
02:35 Well, you have to agree that's going overboard, right?
02:38 And what's up with that pretentious extra R anyway?
02:41 Number 17, quinoa.
02:44 Hundreds of years ago, the people of the Inca Empire considered quinoa a sacred food.
02:49 Once considered peasant food in South America,
02:51 quinoa is now a pricey global superfood, thanks to its highly nutritional qualities.
02:56 But even that doesn't match the reverence quinoa seems to have gained in the last couple of decades.
03:01 Yes, it's super healthy and gluten-free, and the big selling point for many is high in protein.
03:05 Next, I'm adding three cups of protein-rich quinoa,
03:12 and quinoa will take this salad and turn it into an entree.
03:15 However, if we look at the numbers, it may not be as impressive as you thought.
03:19 One cup of cooked quinoa has 8 grams of protein.
03:22 That's just one or two more grams than a single egg.
03:25 And while quinoa needs a lot of help and flavorful accoutrements to be tasty,
03:29 eggs are good all on their own.
03:31 Number 16, mac and cheese.
03:33 At first glance, you might be thinking we're crazy for putting mac and cheese on this list.
03:37 It's delicious and comforting, and you can eat it every day, right?
03:41 That is so good.
03:42 Well, think about it.
03:43 Yes, the idea of mac and cheese is exciting, but when was the last time that the mac and cheese you had
03:48 lived up to the pre-eating excitement?
03:50 Exactly.
03:51 We've all had amazing mac and cheese, but the problem is, the memory is what fuels our desire for more.
03:57 The thing about this particular mac and cheese, you always wanted to eat more.
04:00 You needed to eat more. You couldn't just have one bite you want to go in for.
04:03 And regardless of whether it's made at home from a box or in a super fancy restaurant,
04:07 most of the time, it isn't as good as what we want it to be.
04:10 That being said, we don't blame anyone for still chasing that mac and cheese dragon.
04:14 Number 15, avocado.
04:16 We understand that saying this might bring down the wrath of the entire brunch industrial complex,
04:21 but here we go. Avocados are overrated.
04:24 Yes, that means avocado toast is overrated as well.
04:27 They look expensive.
04:30 That for me is a delicious, light start to the day.
04:35 Sure, a perfectly ripe avocado with just a little salt is wonderful
04:38 and comes with some nutritional benefits as well.
04:41 However, rarely do you get them at that perfect moment.
04:44 And even more rarely is avocados mashed up on a piece of toast worth the crazy price restaurants charge for sure.
04:50 Sure, guacamole is awesome, but can we also agree that most of the taste
04:54 and flavor in guacamole comes from the other ingredients?
04:56 Now to my favorite part, eating the guacamole.
05:01 Number 14, risotto. Risotto is a classic Italian creamy rice dish that can be quite tasty.
05:07 We're not denying that. And how is the risotto?
05:10 Yeah, nice and light. Nice. Lovely flavor.
05:12 Yes. Good. Not too salty. However, risotto, while tasty, is generally pretty one note.
05:18 As New York chef Jared Gadbaugh put it, with risotto,
05:21 it does feel like the same bite over and over again.
05:25 And we guess if that bite is amazing, then that wouldn't be a problem.
05:28 It's a simple dish, but maybe deceptively simple because it's also easy to mess up.
05:32 Come here, you. Taste that. It's bland.
05:36 The rice is still undercooked. Disgusting.
05:39 As Gadbaugh went on to say, risotto is rarely prepared as it should be.
05:43 Number 13, grapefruit. We can start with the fact that although it's right there in the name,
05:48 grapefruits taste nothing like grapes.
05:51 However, nomenclature deception aside, grapefruits are still a somewhat controversial fruit.
05:56 Also getting rid of the excess bitterness by cutting it out of the membrane.
06:00 Really nice for salads to serve with rich dishes as well to really help cut through and balance that.
06:06 Sure, there are many who love them, but there are also many who hate the stuff.
06:09 As the Reddit thread "Grapefruit is absolutely horrible" indicates.
06:13 With that in mind, the overratedness of grapefruit might come down to which side of the absolutely horrible fence you land on.
06:19 However, putting taste aside, there is also the fact that consuming too much grapefruit can interact poorly with some medications,
06:25 which is not something you want to underrate.
06:27 Grapefruit can have terrible interactions with certain medications,
06:30 and the list of drugs that is involved has been growing.
06:34 Just five years ago, there were only 17 drugs we worried about. Now that's gone up to 85.
06:39 Number 12. Hummus.
06:41 If Chrissy Teigen was ranking this list, and wouldn't it be super cool if she was,
06:45 hummus wouldn't just be on the list. It would probably be at number one.
06:48 And the hummus is still a little bit warm at this point, and that's the best way to eat it.
06:52 So don't think you need to chill it down. It's delicious when it's still a little warm from the pot.
06:57 Teigen has talked multiple times about her dislike for hummus,
07:00 going so far as to call it the most overrated snack category food alive.
07:04 And while we think that might be too harsh a statement, we're definitely on board with it being overrated.
07:09 Sure, we enjoy some veggies and pita chips with some hummus,
07:11 but it feels like these days, hummus is being hailed as the greatest spread/dip one could ever imagine.
07:17 And we just have to say it, it isn't.
07:19 "Hummus is not one of my favorite things."
07:21 "Okay, Dad, what did you think of this hummus?"
07:23 "It's okay. Not bad."
07:25 "Not bad. Pooja?"
07:27 "It's, uh... it's fine as a snack if you don't have anything else."
07:31 Number 11 - Blue Cheese
07:34 "Do you love blue cheese as much as I do?"
07:37 "Now you ask me?"
07:38 "Yeah, actually, I love blue cheese."
07:41 Let's make one thing clear.
07:42 When it comes to chicken wings, not only is blue cheese dip not overhyped, it is a necessity.
07:47 But while that strong flavor is the perfect accompaniment to wings,
07:50 things have gotten a little out of control as far as the cheese's use in other culinary creations.
07:55 You love blue cheese, so you think a burger with blue cheese would be amazing,
07:59 or maybe a pasta dish with a blue cheese sauce.
08:01 "It has some, like, sweet hints at the beginning when you first taste it,
08:05 and then you're left with a bit of salty aftertaste, which is incredible."
08:09 However, that strong flavor we love is also part of the problem,
08:13 because it can easily take over any dish it's part of,
08:16 often overpowering the rest of the flavors and making it very one-note.
08:19 One blue-cheesy note.
08:22 Number 10 - Dark Chocolate
08:24 If the hype is to be believed, dark chocolate isn't just better for you than milk chocolate.
08:28 It might be one of the healthiest things you can eat.
08:30 "It's a little bit more extreme. It's not a really rounded flavor profile.
08:34 I think it's probably a single origin. I definitely wouldn't be able to have a lot of this."
08:38 From lowering your blood pressure to protecting your heart, and even improving your eyesight,
08:42 dark chocolate has been given the superfood moniker by many over the last few years.
08:46 Now, we aren't saying it's all fake news, because the truth is that dark chocolate does have some benefits.
08:52 However, it is also still chocolate, with sugar and fats and calories,
08:56 so moderation is still the name of the game here.
08:58 And adding dark chocolate to granola, snack bars, trail mix, etc. doesn't automatically make it healthy.
09:04 "This is 99% dark chocolate. It's pure. Try it. It's good for you. It has 5% protein. It's like a protein bar."
09:14 "Stop it!"
09:20 Number 9 - Lobster
09:22 Imagine that once upon a time, lobster was the food of peasants and prisoners.
09:26 It's true. That uber-expensive dish you see on the menu at your favorite seafood restaurant
09:31 was once referred to as "poor man's chicken".
09:33 "So, we're just gonna boil them very, very plainly."
09:36 "How long are you gonna do it for?"
09:37 "About 6-7 minutes per lobster."
09:39 "Do you put vinegar in there?"
09:40 "Um, this is sweet. The lobster on its own is just, you know, delicious, and it doesn't really need much."
09:46 There was even once a revolt among indentured servants in protest of having to eat it so often.
09:51 And yet somehow, that same lobster is now revered as a delicacy worthy of a healthy portion of most of our paychecks.
09:58 Expensive, and not that tasty without loads of butter and/or other accoutrements.
10:03 "Grilled lobster with chili and garlic butter, served with a boozy Bloody Mary linguine."
10:08 "A sensational special occasion lunch."
10:11 You might be a wonderful metaphor for Ross and Rachel's destiny, but culinarily, we have one word for you, lobster.
10:17 Overrated.
10:19 Number 8. Pickles.
10:21 Sure, when we go to the deli and order a sandwich, there better be a pickle on the side.
10:25 "The only thing that would make these better is a giant, giant sandwich of pulled pork."
10:30 "I knew you were gonna say that."
10:31 And a Big Mac wouldn't be the same without the pickles either.
10:34 However, just because they're perfect in a few food situations, doesn't mean they are needed or wanted in so many others.
10:40 That sour taste has its place, but that place isn't everywhere.
10:44 And let's also be honest about how awkward it is to watch someone eat a pickle.
10:47 Probably something best done in private or with someone that you love and that truly loves you back.
10:56 #NoJudgments
10:58 Number 7. Kale.
11:00 It seems like these days you can't talk about healthy eating and not mention kale.
11:03 "Kale this and kale that."
11:05 Everyone is putting kale in everything.
11:07 "Bring on the kale chips, the kale smoothies, and even a kale Caesar salad, Becky."
11:11 "That's right. It does sound a little trendy, but you know, kale is really sturdy and it stands up really nicely to that Caesar dressing."
11:17 As far as nutrition goes, this leafy green is being touted as the best thing since spinach.
11:22 But is it? Well, that depends.
11:24 If you're looking for more vitamin C, then yes.
11:27 But if you're hoping to increase your folate and vitamins A and K, well, then spinach is still the one to choose.
11:33 I'm not here to diss kale, just to point out it isn't the end-all be-all of healthy eating.
11:37 "I like it. This is delicious."
11:39 "I like it too."
11:40 So go ahead and add some spinach to that kale salad.
11:43 #6. Nutella
11:45 It's okay, you can say it. Nutella is overpraised.
11:49 While it might seem like everyone around you and everyone you meet loves the stuff,
11:52 the truth is, there are a lot of us never-Nutella folks out there.
11:56 "Because Nutella always adds something tasty."
11:59 "Nutella, it's good to be together."
12:01 From Quora posts to Reddit boards to lengthy articles listing one reason after another why it's not all it's supposed to be,
12:07 Nutella isn't the universally beloved spread you might have thought it was.
12:11 From the weird aftertaste to the fact that it isn't chocolate,
12:14 people's reasons for disliking Nutella vary, and yet it's hard to escape it.
12:18 Whether it be on the grocery store shelves or the dessert menu, Nutella versions of after-dinner sweets abound.
12:23 "100% flaky, Nutella-y goodness is what's in here."
12:29 But it just needs to stop.
12:31 #5. Macarons
12:33 There's no denying the elegance of a perfectly baked macaron.
12:36 The shape, the colors, the layers all make for a wonderful visual experience.
12:41 "Macarons are the crème de la crème of confections."
12:44 And when you eat one, the chewy outer meringue cookies combined with the filling in between
12:49 make for a unique flavor and textural experience.
12:51 Now, we will admit that it is a texture that not everyone loves,
12:55 and the flavor can be quite strong on the sweet side of things.
12:58 "Macarons are very rich in calories.
13:00 A single macaron 3 centimeters across packs up to 100 kilocalories.
13:05 But they will slim down your pocketbook."
13:08 However, even those of us who enjoy a macaron are always shocked by how much they cost.
13:12 Based on price alone, there are few who could deny that macarons are overvalued.
13:16 #4. Truffles
13:19 It's hard to resist the allure of a chef finishing off a plate with a few slivers of dark truffle.
13:23 However, it's also hard to resist dining and dashing when you get the bill.
13:27 "Luxury cousins of the mushroom, truffles are an indulgent food enjoyed across the world.
13:32 But these fragrant fungi will cost you."
13:35 One of the most expensive foods around, truffles are scarce, seasonal, and not easily cultivated.
13:40 With that being said, those truffle slivers, they actually don't taste like much.
13:44 Yes, truffle oils has loads of that rich, earthy taste that, as one food writer put it,
13:49 "Have one bite, it's amazing. But after a few, it's too much."
13:56 "You're an expensive customer, but it's okay."
13:59 "You know, my... Okay, you..."
14:03 So while truffle mac and cheese, truffle hot dogs, or salads with truffles all sound appealing,
14:08 in actuality, it's probably going to be excessive. And we're not just talking about the price.
14:12 #3. Oysters
14:15 We wouldn't go so far as one forum commentator who called them "salty snot."
14:19 Still, we do appreciate the "love them" or "hate them" feelings that oysters bring to the culinary table.
14:24 #3. Oysters
14:27 However, while those on the "hate them" side will undoubtedly cheer for their inclusion on our list,
14:36 some on the other side of the argument might agree with the overratedness as well.
14:39 "Just look at the color. My God. They're nice and thick, dense, creamy."
14:45 "Mm-hmm. Cheers, look at that. Cheers, cheers."
14:53 "Bloody hell."
14:54 Especially given that they can actually make you sick.
14:56 Raw and undercooked oysters can contain all manner of germs, primarily Vibrio.
15:01 The CDC estimates that every year in the United States, 80,000 people get Vibriosis, and 100 people die from it.
15:08 #2. Bacon
15:10 Wait, before you swear at us and walk away in anger, just hear us out.
15:14 Allow us to restate that this list isn't about food that isn't good, because to quote Vincent Vega,
15:21 "With eggs in the morning or on a burger, bacon is almost perfect."
15:24 And come on, bacon puts the "B" in BLT.
15:27 However, this is about overrated food, and on that front, you have to mention bacon.
15:32 If only for the brash declaration that we've all heard that bacon makes everything better,
15:36 how could anything live up to a statement like that?
15:39 "For me, this is the perfect texture. A little crunchy, a little chewy. Look at that. Beautiful."
15:45 These days, people have gone too far with stuff like bacon lollipops and bacon gumballs.
15:50 And yes, bacon massage oil and bacon soda are also things.
15:54 Before we continue, be sure to subscribe to our channel and ring the bell to get notified about our latest videos.
16:00 You have the option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them.
16:04 If you're on your phone, make sure you go into your settings and switch on notifications.
16:09 #1. Caviar
16:12 Few foods scream luxury as loudly as caviar does.
16:16 "Very decadent, very nutty, very creamy.
16:19 And it's bursting with flavor like individual pearls exploding in your mouth. Absolutely delicious."
16:25 Especially the good stuff like beluga, the most prestigious caviar in the world that sells for upwards of $200 per ounce.
16:32 To many out there, the texture and saltiness isn't very appealing, which makes this another one of those love it or hate it dishes.
16:40 "It's so good."
16:42 Although at those prices, you gotta really, really, really love it for it not to be overpriced.
16:52 And personally, we can think of a lot more appealing foods to spend our next $200 on than sturgeon roe.
16:57 So, tell us. We can handle it. Which one of our food takes is overrated?
17:01 "You know when people say they like to come home and make risotto and stir it, they find it relaxing.
17:06 I think, no they don't. It's just annoying."
17:09 Did you enjoy this video? Check out these other clips from WatchMojo.
17:13 And be sure to subscribe and ring the bell to be notified about our latest videos.
17:17 [Music]