delicacy
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delicacy
A special, high-quality, and often rare or expensive food that is considered a culinary pleasure.
In diesem Restaurant werden Austern als Delikatesse serviert.
In this restaurant, oysters are served as a delicacy.
The word 'Delikatesse' (delicacy) comes from French. The ending '-esse' is typical for feminine nouns from French and helps you remember the correct article 'die'.
Trüffel sind eine sehr teure Delikatesse.
Truffles are a very expensive delicacy.
The plural 'Delikatessen' (delicacies) is often used to refer to a shop that sells such specialties: a 'Delikatessengeschäft' (delicatessen). There you can find many different high-quality foods.
Ich habe den besonderen Schinken in einem Delikatessengeschäft gefunden.
I found the special ham in a delicatessen.
A food 'gilt als' (is considered) a delicacy. In a restaurant, it can be 'als Delikatesse servieren' (served as a delicacy) or 'anbieten' (offered).
In einigen Kulturen gelten Insekten als Delikatesse.
In some cultures, insects are considered a delicacy.
The word 'Delikatesse' (delicacy) belongs to a somewhat elevated style of language. You often find it on menus, in the restaurant industry, or in cooking magazines.
Der Chefkoch präsentierte seine neueste Kreation als besondere Delikatesse.
The head chef presented his latest creation as a special delicacy.
specialty
'die Spezialität' and 'die Delikatesse' can both refer to a special food. 'Spezialität' mainly says that a dish or product is typical of and well known for a region, country, or restaurant. 'Delikatesse' more strongly says that a food is especially fine, high-quality, rare, or expensive. The words can be confused because many regional specialties can also be considered delicacies. Still, the focus is different: 'Spezialität' fits when talking about origin and typical offerings, while 'Delikatesse' fits when talking about special enjoyment and quality.
In diesem Geschäft gilt der teure Käse als besondere Delikatesse.
In this shop, the expensive cheese is considered a special delicacy.
Beim Einkaufen nimmt Maria eine regionale Spezialität für ihre Familie mit.
While shopping, Maria picks up a regional specialty for her family.