While we all love a foodie bargain and, for many of us, budgeting is more important than ever, there are still some pricey ingredients that are more than worth the extra expense. Whether the added cost is due to impeccable sourcing, incredible taste, ethical reasons or sustainability practices, buying cheap versions of these foods can be a costly mistake. We’ve put together our top picks for hero products that really are worthy of their premium price tag.

Click or scroll through our gallery as we reveal the 25 ingredients that are always worth paying extra for.