The 50 most basic foods of all time, ranked

If you've been paying attention to the Internet, you've probably noticed the peculiar metamorphosis of "basic". Used to be, the definition of the word was just... well, basic: simple, connotation-free, and bland. But in 2014, spurred on by zeitgeisters (Vice), pop-crossovers (Iggy Azalea), and millennials (me, probably you, and also white girls named Paige), "basic" became a catch-all term of pseudo-derision & genuine bourgeoisie camaraderie.

BuzzFeed did a thorough job exploring the term's evolution, including its urban origins, suburban appropriation, and lightning-fast 2014 rise. You should read that, but not before you read this: the infallible, totally-unscientific-but-also-totally-true power-ranking of every food & drink on the Thrillist Basic Food-n-Drink-o-Meter. Think we forgot a food, unfairly ranked a drink, or otherwise got something completely wrong? Well, we didn't; that's what "infallible" means. But you can certainly argue your case in the comments, Mr./Ms. Basic. The rankings!:

No personal bias went into this pick. None.
 

Five years ago, this would've been top 10. Times have changed.
 

Another fallen angel from the aughts.
 

Your friend Amy is not doing you any favors.
 

If the activity is Instagrammed, move 15 spots up.

+100 points if eaten in the presence of sake bombs. 
 

See #37.
 

See #39.
 

The "totes cute"-er, the basic-er.
 

Grab a friend and a bottle of this stuff, and you've got yourself a book club (books optional).
 

Avoiding dairy is very, very basic.
 

Though they're less basic if they're from Montreal.

If it was candy, it would be labeled "candy". But it's not, so it can't be.
 

So, so, so good -- and super-easy to make!
 

Whatever.
 

Like all this stuff.
 

Automatic ratings bump if consumed at brunch.
 

One word, four syllables, zero meaning because it's now used to describe pretty much everything: probiotics.
 

"Oh-em-gee, it's sweater weather!"
 

Double-whatever.

"Flavor? Nope, hold the flavor. Thanks."
 

Ice cream? Soup? You can make ANYTHING in there!
 

Like all of these. If it were 2010, this pick would've been swapped with #36 -- but these days, cupcakes are de rigeur and dedicated basics go nuts for donuts. 
 

Actually, literally anything from a farmers' market. Ever.
 

Definitely, definitely served with fruit in it.

Remember how avoiding dairy is basic (#32)? Meet the exceptions that prove the rule.
 

Don't bite it! You can't bite it!
 

So amazing, and really not what you'd expect from a cheese, y'know?
 

On everything. All the time. Especially pie.
 

"I could live off this. Like, seriously: live off it."

SUPERFOOD ALERT!!!
 

Also maple water, watermelon water, cucumber water, and any other type of water that's not water-water.
 

If you can hear a Haim cover, whatever you're eating/drinking is now basic.
 

Did you know truffles are actually fungi? Pigs sniff them out of the ground!
 

"Shared plates" are basic as a concept.

Must be consumed on the way to SoulCycle, on the way back from SoulCycle, or while telling your coworker about SoulCycle.

According to the Geneva Conventions, no formal "girls' dinner" is complete unless it's held in the presence of mozzarella, tomato, and fresh basil.

Look, it's been a good run. But PSLs just aren't as basic as they were when they first hit the scene, and despite its legions of loyal boots-with-tights minions Snapchatting each other while drinking them, the once-invincible basic beverage has slipped ever so slightly in the rankings.

"Oh my God. Stop. Have you seriously never had it? It's amazing. It's beyond amazing. You can eat it with a spoon. I eat it with a spoon. Want to come over, watch New Girl on my Roku, and eat it with a spoon?"

Here it is: the most basic food in the known universe. A slice of whole grain, a mash of puke-green 'cado (superfood alert!), and some sprinkled red pepper flakes isn't just a delicious snack. It's a statement to the world/whoever sees you meticulously preparing it in the office kitchen at lunch.

Avocado toast tells everyone, "I may be basic, but this is delicious. And you know what? That's good enough for me". Cheers to that, my fellow basics. 

Dave Infante is a basic senior writer for Thrillist Food & Drink, and eats/drinks all these things. Follow @dinfontayon Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat.