One thousand dollars for an ice-cream sundae? Sixteen grand for a cocktail? Believe it or not, there really are foods and drinks that sell for this much--and there really are people who are willing to pay for them. Here, 10 of the world's most expensive indulgences. Are they are worth the hefty price tag? You be the judge.

1. Saffron. Grown worldwide, this spice is derived from the saffron crocus flower. A pound of dry saffron requires 50,000 to 75,000 flowers (enough flowers to fill an entire football field), and because of the massive amount of resources and labor needed, saffron prices range from $500 to $5,000 a pound.

2. Almas caviar. The word "almas" is Russian for diamond, which is a fitting name for the world's most expensive caviar. This beluga variety hails from a fish (not the beluga whale), which is believed to have once lived at the same time as the dinosaurs. Packed in none other than a 24K gold tin, Almas caviar is white in appearance and sells for an unbelievable price of $23,308 per 32 ounces.

3. White truffle mushroom. These fancy fungi have their origins in the Piedmont region of northern Italy. Typically sold for $1,350 to $2,700 per pound, the record price paid for a single white truffle was set in December 2007, when casino owner Stanley Ho shelled out $330,000 for a truffle weighing just over three pounds.

4. Kobe-style beef. This meat from Wagyu cattle is known worldwide for its incredible taste, texture, and marbled appearance. Because of the animal's genetic predisposition and special diet, including beer and sake, wagyu yields a beef that contains a higher percentage of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids than typical beef. Grocery stores in the United States generally sell this sought-after meat for $40 to $150 a pound.

5. Kopi Luwak coffee. The world's most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak is made from coffee berries that have been eaten by and passed through the digestive tract of the Asian Palm Civet, a catlike animal. The animal eats the berries, but the beans inside pass through its system undigested. This process takes place on the islands of Sumatra, Java, and Sulawesi in the Indonesian Archipelago, and in the Philippines. The total annual production is only around 500 pounds of beans, which may explain the outrageous price of a pound--$300 or more.

6. "Diamonds-Are-Forever" martini. This ain't your everyday cocktail. The olive has been replaced by a 1.6 carat diamond, partially accounting for the martini's $16,000 price tag. If you're looking for a taste of this divine drink, though, you'll have to travel to the only place it's served: the Ritz-Carlton in Tokyo, Japan.

7. Kona Nigari water. This seaweed mineral concentrate, which sells for $16.75 per ounce, must first be mixed with regular drinking water before consuming. The concentrated water is said to be high in minerals and free of contaminates. If you're thinking about purchasing one gallon, though, you'd better have more than $2,000 set aside.

8. Chocopologie truffle. At $2,600 per pound, these handmade dark-chocolate treasures are available by pre-order only from Knipschildt Chocolatier in Norwalk, Connecticut. Each truffle, made from Valrhona cacao, is blended into a creamy ganache, hand-rolled, and dusted with cocoa powder. How's that for your next Valentine's Day gift?

9. Nino's Bellisima pizza. They say there's nothing like New York City pizza, and Upper East Side restaurateur Nino Selimaj proves it. This specialty 12-inch pie features lobster tail, crème fraiche, and six types of caviar. If you've got $1,000 to spare, the pie is yours. Just make sure you call 24 hours ahead because the ingredients must be specially ordered.

10. Serendipity sundae. Prepared with five scoops of the richest Tahitian vanilla bean ice cream and drizzled with some of the world's most expensive chocolates, this $1,000 dessert created by Serendipity in New York City certainly lives up to its name: Grand Opulence sundae. What's more, the treat is topped with special dessert caviar, adorned with a 23-karat edible gold leaf, and served in a crystal goblet complete with an 18-karat-gold spoon.