What does the term "expensive" refer to?

The term "expensive" specifically refers to a high price, which suggests that an item costs a significant amount of money. In the context of food and cooking, when a dish or ingredient is described as expensive, it indicates that it may require a larger financial investment compared to other options. This can be due to various factors such as rarity, quality, sourcing, or production costs inherent to the item. For instance, gourmet ingredients like truffles or saffron are often labeled as expensive because they are not only rare but also labor-intensive to produce and harvest. Understanding this term is crucial in discussions surrounding food choices, budgeting for meals, and making decisions in culinary contexts.