Totally Bananas: 15 Foods That Broke Records at Auction

A festive table setting with a dish of caviar on ice in the foreground and champagne glasses, glowing lights, and sparklers in the blurred background. The scene suggests a celebration or special occasion.
GMVozd/istockphoto

When it comes to auctions, most people think of rare art, luxury cars, or sports and film memorabilia. But sometimes, it’s food that steals the spotlight — and not just any food. From bananas taped to walls (but, like, why?) to caviar and rare mushrooms, the world of high-priced foods proves that the rich and curious will pay eye-popping amounts for the most unexpected culinary items. Here are 15 foods that broke records at auction, plus insights behind what drove the hefty price tags.

1. Banana Taped to a Wall

Maurizio Cattelan's "Comedian" On View At Art Basel Miami 2019
Cindy Ord/Getty Images
Cindy Ord/Getty Images

Sold for: $6.24 million

As Andy Warhol once said, “Art is what you can get away with.” This piece is the perfect example. Conceptual artist Maurizio Cattelan’s banana duct-taped to a wall — titled “Comedian” — became an internet sensation and an avant-garde statement on consumerism. The work sold for $6.24 million at a Sotheby’s auction in November 2024 (it previously sold for $120,000 in 2019), and blurred the lines between art and absurdity. But it turns out that the buyer, Chinese billionaire Justin Sun, got the last laugh: Shortly after purchasing the fruit for millions, he ate it.

2. Ruby Roman Grapes

A clear plastic container filled with fresh, dewy red grapes is placed against a blurred green background, suggesting an outdoor setting. The grapes are clustered together, appearing ripe and juicy.
Kanawa_Studio/istockphoto
Kanawa_Studio/istockphoto

Sold for: $12,200 per bunch

In Japan, these premium Ruby Roman grapes are known for their natural sweetness and impressive stature (each grape is about the size of a ping-pong ball!). In 2020, a single bunch fetched over $12,000 at auction, setting a new record for these ultra-luxurious fruits. Cultivated exclusively under meticulous conditions in the region of Ishikawa Prefecture, these grapes are a testament to Japan’s dedication to achieving perfection in just about everything.

3. Bluefin Tuna

A large tuna lies on a wooden cart in a bustling fish market. Several people gather around, some wearing masks and boots. A man operates a scale. Ice is scattered around the fish, and a sign with writing is placed on it.
BING-JHEN HONG/istockphoto
BING-JHEN HONG/istockphoto

Sold for: $3.1 Million

This 612-pound Bluefin tuna sold for a mind-warping $3.1 million at Tokyo’s Tsukiji fish market in 2019. The buyer, a sushi restaurant chain owner named Kiyoshi Kimura, justified the insane price as a marketing investment to attract new customers.

4. White Alba Truffle

A person's hand holding a large, irregularly shaped white truffle. In the background, there's a blurred market stall with various items displayed on a checkered cloth.
MikeDot/istockphoto
MikeDot/istockphoto

Sold for: $330,000

Dubbed the “diamond of the kitchen,” this 3.3-pound white Alba truffle sold for a whopping $330,000 at an auction in 2007. The rare fungus, which is prized for its earthy aroma and rich, umami flavor, was sold to Macau billionaire Stanley Ho. Truffles are considered very rare, especially in this size, and can only be harvested in specific regions of Italy during a short season.

5. Charles and Diana’s Wedding Cake Slice

A group of people toasting with glasses of amber-colored drinks around a two-tier naked cake decorated with figs and flowers. A bouquet of pink and peach roses is visible on the left, set on a decorated outdoor table.
Wirestock/istockphoto
Wirestock/istockphoto

Sold for: $2,565

A single slice of Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s wedding cake sold at auction in 2021 for $2,565, over 40 years after the royal wedding took place (barf). The slice, which was adorned with icing and even donned a royal coat of arms, was preserved by a staff member and came with its original presentation tin. But despite its age (and questionable edibility), this was a hotly contested piece of royal memorabilia from one of the most-watched events of the century.

6. The World’s Most Expensive Honey

A jar of golden honey with a honey dipper dripping honey into it. Nearby are pieces of honeycomb and yellow flowers on a wooden surface, creating a warm and inviting scene.
ValentynVolkov/istockphoto
ValentynVolkov/istockphoto

Priced at: $6,000 per jar

Harvested from remote caves in Turkey, Centauri honey is known for its medicinal properties and mineral richness that help relieve inflammation and promote wound healing. According to the Guinness World Records, it’s the most expensive honey in the world, with prices exceeding $10,800 per kilogram (about 2.2 pounds). The rarity and labor-intensive collection process have contributed to Centauri honey’s steep price tag.

7. Da Hong Pao Tea

A close-up of a black cast iron teapot with two white ceramic cups filled with tea on a wooden surface. The background is softly blurred, highlighting the textured details of the teapot.
miss_j/istockphoto
miss_j/istockphoto

Sold for: $21,700 for 20 grams

Dating back to China’s Ming Dynasty, Da Hong Pao is considered one of the rarest tea blends in the world. Cherished for its floral and aromatic qualities, a teeny amount of this black tea was sold for over $20,000 at an auction in China in 2002.

8. Matsutake Mushrooms

A wooden box contains three large, brown mushrooms with textured caps nestled on green pine branches. A partially visible cardboard sign with red Japanese characters is in the background.
NightAndDayImages/istockphoto
NightAndDayImages/istockphoto

Sold for: $6,200 for 118 grams

These elusive Japanese mushrooms are considered a rare delicacy in Asian cuisine, particularly during mid-autumn celebrations. Known for their earthy and zesty aroma, a single pound of matsutake shrooms can be worth a fortune. Since there has been a declining availability due to habitat loss from invasive pests and deforestation, suppliers have further raised their prices. In 2023, just three matsutake mushrooms (weighing less than 200 grams) sold for a whopping $6,200 in Tamba-Sasayama, Japan.

9. Yubari Melons

A display of melons with light green, netted skin, arranged in green protective holders. Each melon has a sticker. Japanese signs above indicate pricing and product information.
kwanchaichaiudom/istockphoto
kwanchaichaiudom/istockphoto

Sold for: $45,000 per pair

Cultivated exclusively in Japan’s northern region of Hokkaido, Yubari melons are known for their juicy orange flesh and naturally high sugar content. In 2019, a pair of these melons sold for $45,000 at an auction in Japan. The melons, which symbolize abundance and prestige, are often given as luxury gifts during special occasions like birthdays and weddings.

10. Black Watermelon

A black watermelon surrounded by green leaves and vines in a garden setting.
mgstudyo/istockphoto
mgstudyo/istockphoto

Sold for: $6,100

Also grown on Japan’s Hokkaido island, these black watermelons are treasured for their “unusual black skin and unparalleled taste,” according to a spokesman for the Tohma Agricultural Cooperative in Hokkaido. In 2008, a single one of these black watermelons sold for over $6k at an auction in Japan, setting a new record for what is usually an affordable summertime treat.

11. Almas Osetra Caviar

Close-up of light-colored fish roe on a slice of bread with butter, illuminated softly from a warm light source. The shiny roe beads are in sharp focus while the background is gently blurred.
Larysa Lyundovska/istockphoto
Larysa Lyundovska/istockphoto

Priced at: $20,885 per kilogram (2.2 pounds)

Sourced from the Iranian Albino Huso Huso sturgeon, Almas caviar is considered by many to be the epitome of luxury due to the extreme rarity of albino sturgeons. As such, a single kilogram of this golden delicacy (it literally shimmers like gold) has been known to sell for upwards of $20,000, making it the most expensive (and exclusive) caviar in the world.

12. Titanic Cracker

A bowl filled with square, golden-brown crackers topped with coarse salt. Several crackers are placed next to the bowl on a textured, light gray cloth. The background features a mix of wooden and cloth surfaces.
Pinkybird/istockphoto
Pinkybird/istockphoto

Sold for: $23,000

A single cracker from a lifeboat survival kit aboard the Titanic sold for an astounding $23,000 at an auction in 2015. Preserved in a Kodak envelope by a passenger on the rescue ship “Carpathia,” the cracker remains as a haunting relic of the ill-fated voyage. Dubbed the “most valuable biscuit in the world,” it serves as a tangible reminder of the 1912 tragedy as well as the enduring fascination with the Titanic’s legacy.

13. 1811 Château d’Yquem

A person in a denim shirt holds a glass of white wine outdoors. The background shows a vineyard with sunlight creating a warm glow.
DisobeyArt/istockphoto
DisobeyArt/istockphoto

Sold for: $117,000

Ok, so this is technically a drink and not a food, but it deserves a spot on this list. Known as the “king of wines,” this rare Sauternes bottle broke records in 2011 after it sold for $117,000 during an auction in 2011. In addition to being one of the finest white wines ever produced, Château d’Yquem 1811 boasts a legendary reputation thanks to its connection to the “Great Comet of 1811,” which many believe contributed to the exceptional quality of that year’s harvest.

14. Harambe-Shaped Cheeto

Close-up of a pile of cheese puffs, featuring various curved and irregular shapes, with a bright orange color and a textured surface.
danibeder/istockphoto
danibeder/istockphoto

Sold for: $99,900

In 2017, a Cheeto resembling the slain gorilla Harambe sold on eBay for a jaw-dropping $99,900 (you read that right!). The snack became a viral sensation after fans turned the quirky find into a bidding frenzy — proving that, on the internet, even a snack can become a cultural phenomenon. (Also, justice for Harambe!)

15. Perrier-Jouët 1874 Champagne

Two dusty wine bottles lying horizontally on a soft fabric surface. The labels are partially visible, with aged paper showing faint text. The bottles are angled slightly, creating a cozy and aged ambiance.
Turbinado/istockphoto
Turbinado/istockphoto

Sold for: £42,875 (about USD$56,981)

A bottle of Perrier-Jouët 1874 Vintage Champagne set a new record after it sold for over $56,000 at a Christie’s auction in 2021. The historic bottle, which dated back 140 years, was celebrated for its exceptional preservation (don’t be fooled by its dusty appearance) and connection to one of the most prestigious Champagne houses in the world.

Author
Alina Wang

From Queens, New York, Alina has a Bachelors degree in Corporate Communications from CUNY Baruch and enjoys writing and creating content on a variety of topics, including lifestyle, politics, and, of course, wealth trends. Find her on X @atlasseventeen