If you find it difficult to consume the recommended five fruits and vegetables per day, perhaps you should try something new. This list of Fruits That Begin With A may inspire you to try both common and uncommon fruits.
All edible fruit contains various nutrients such as dietary fiber, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. If you have a sweet tooth, the healthiest way to satisfy it is to eat fresh fruit.
If you like variety, there are probably some delicious fruits you haven’t tried yet. I’m sure most of us have heard of apples, but can you name any other fruits that begin with A? Maybe you’ve mentioned a few more, but I’ve got a whole list for you! I’ll also provide a brief description of each fruit.
Abiu
Abiu is indigenous to South America, particularly the Amazon region, and can be found in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. People have recently begun growing it in Hawaii because it thrives in a tropical climate that is wet and warm. This fruit is similar in size to a peach but has a more oval shape with a pointy end and turns golden yellow when ripe.
Simply cut the fruit in half and scoop out the soft flesh to enjoy fresh abiu. Because the peel isn’t edible and contains a gummy sap, don’t bite through it like you would a peach. Some people describe the flavor as having hints of creamy caramel.
Abiurana
The Abiurana is a rarer fruit that is yellow with a light white translucent internal flesh, similar to the abiu. They are indigenous to Brazil’s Amazon region. Some people eat Abiurana fresh, just like their cousins the abiu. Unlike abiu, abiurana is rarely commercially grown.
Acai Fruit
Acai, also known as a “superfood,” is a type of palm grown for its fruit and edible palm hearts. These plants, native to Central and South America, thrive in floodplains. Acai berries are used in desserts, juice, smoothies, and dried as dietary supplements. The juice is sometimes used to make wine. Acai has been linked to weight loss, but those claims have yet to be proven in peer-reviewed studies, according to Britannica.
The acai palm is extremely adaptable. While the fruits are enjoyed by people all over the world, people in Central and South America eat the palms as a vegetable.
Acerola Cherries
According to research from the School of Tropical Medicine in San Juan, Puerto Rico, acerola cherries are tropical fruit with the highest concentration of vitamin C. People began cultivating it in Brazil shortly after World War II as part of a local initiative to increase vitamin C consumption. It is native to the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America. Although the acerola fruit looks like a cherry, it is not true.
Because this fruit is quite delicate, it is usually sold commercially in supplement form. Fresh-eating locals describe the fruit as slightly astringent but fresh-tasting. Long used in traditional medicine, researchers are looking into possible modern-day applications.
Outside of the regions where it grows, acerola cherries are mostly frozen, dried, or in a concentrated supplement form, posing a risk of overconsumption. Excessive eating can have negative consequences such as digestive issues.
Acorn Squash
You may be perplexed as to why squash is included in this list; what you will discover is that many commonly known vegetables are botanically known as fruits. Squashes are a prime example of such a product. The acorn squash is one of dozens of winter squash varieties available in grocery stores, farmer’s markets, and gardens.
It is commonly baked on its own or with other winter squashes such as pumpkins or butternut squash, and it can also be used interchangeably with them.
Ackee
Ackee, also known as ackee apple, is a type of evergreen tree native to Africa and the Caribbean. This “pear-shaped” fruit changes color from green to bright red to yellow-orange as it ripens. The tree bears fruit throughout the year, with two fruit-bearing seasons. Some people describe ackee as having a slightly nutlike flavor and a spongy texture similar to scrambled eggs.
Although ackee has many culinary applications, it must be prepared carefully because some of the fruit is toxic. People open the fruit before picking it to allow it to breathe and “exhale” toxins during harvest. The harvesters then discard the seeds.
Cooks frequently use it in Caribbean dishes such as stews, soups, and curries. Commercial producers can process it into brine for use in a number of the Caribbean and South American countries.
African Breadfruit
African Breadfruit, also known as Ukwa, is a tropical fruit that some regard as a lesser-known superfood. It is related to and resembles breadnuts, figs, jackfruit, and mulberries.
Ukwa, also known as African breadfruit, is popular in Nigeria, where the seeds are also consumed due to their high nutritional value, which includes protein, healthy oils, and carbohydrates. Commercial processors press the seeds for oil and grind the seeds into flour. Cooked with fish or crayfish, the fruit is frequently served.
African Cherry Orange
African Cherry Orange is a unique citrus fruit that looks and tastes like tangerines. Some people use the roots in folk medicine to treat impotence, but there haven’t been any scientific studies to back up this claim. Growing in Central and Western Africa, the tree thrives in sunlight.
African Star Apple
African Star Apple is traditionally not picked; instead, it is allowed to fall from the tree. The name refers to the star-shaped pattern formed by the seeds when cutting cross-sectionally. People typically eat it raw after cutting it as a snack.
African star apples contain up to 15% of the RDA for calcium and vitamins C and A. The skins are a bright orange color, and the flesh is sweet with a slightly chewy white sap. It is most commonly found in Nigeria, Togo, Benin, and Ghana.
Akebia
Akebia is an Asian fruit that tastes like a cross between banana, passion fruit, and lychee. The flavor varies depending on the variety. Traditionally, it was a wild plant consumed seasonally by foragers, but it has recently evolved into a niche specialty crop. The fruit is long and slender, with soft purple skin and lighter internal flesh. The plant has purple flowers and is frequently depicted in art. Akebia is consumed both raw and cooked.
Alligator Apple
The alligator apple is native to Florida, the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the Americas. The name alludes to the fact that alligators enjoy eating the fruit.
Humans eat alligator apples, which have a flavor similar to honeydew and are frequently made into jam. Alligator apple is also found in Australia, where it is considered an invasive species and a weed. It resembles a green apple growing in swamps and wet environments and is also known as a pond apple or swamp apple.
Alligator Pear
Have you ever heard of an alligator pear? It just so happens to be another word for avocado! The name refers to the green peel’s “alligator-like” appearance as well as its pear-like shape. The term is a colloquial nickname that was coined sometime in the 1600s, primarily in Europe, before avocados were widely available in supermarkets.
Almond
While many people consider the almond to be a nut, it is not a true tree nut and is actually more of a fruit. It arose in the ancient Mediterranean regions, North Africa, and Southern Europe.
The seeds are consumed as snacks, in a variety of dishes, and in the confectionary dessert Marzipan. It is extracted into the water to make almond milk, a non-dairy milk-like beverage, and ground into flour. The flour can be substituted for wheat flour in the preparation of cookies, pancakes, and other foods. Despite the fact that it is not a true tree nut, it is nutritionally similar, and some people have severe allergic reactions to it. Unripe “green almond” fruit is sometimes eaten whole in the Middle East before it hardens. This fruit is known to be slightly sour and is frequently dipped in salt to offset the sourness.
Alpine Strawberries
Alpine strawberries are small-looking strawberries native to Europe and Asia. Some people believe the flavor is inferior to the more common strawberry, so they grow them as ornaments or make preserves.
Alupag
Alupag is related to the lychee and has a bumpy brown peel with a small amount of white fruit flesh and a large seed. It is popular in Southeast Asia, but most people outside of the region are more familiar with lychee. The fruit is peeled and eaten raw as a snack.
Amanatsu
Amanatsu is a grapefruit-sized orange fruit native to Japan. The name literally translates to “sweet summer.” People usually peel and eat the fruit raw. Hagi is well-known for its Amanatsu cultivation.
Amara
Amara, also known as Spondias mombin and hog plum, is native to the West Indies, other tropical Americas, and parts of Asia. Because of their high oil content, the seeds are used in addition to the fruit flesh.
The fruit is consumed as a juice, concentrate, or as a flavoring for desserts such as sorbets. The young leaves are also used as a flavoring in Thailand and chili powder. Some people also make tea from the leaves.
Amazon Tree Grape
The Amazon Tree Grape is native to South America and produces a sweet fruit that can be eaten fresh or made into jam. Because the truth is susceptible to fungus and other tree diseases, it is rarely cultivated commercially.
Ambarella
Ambarella, also known as June plum, is native to Sri Lanka, Melanesia, and Polynesia. While still green, the fruit falls to the ground and ripens to a golden yellow hue. It has a pear shape and smooth skin.
Some people say the flesh has a crunchy texture and a slightly sour taste. It is frequently served with shrimp paste in Indonesia. Most places where Ambarella is consumed are cooked and used to flavor sauces, soups, and other dishes.
Amra
Amra is also referred to as hog plum or Amara (mentioned earlier). The fruit, like many others, is high in vitamin C.
Anchovy Pear
Anchovy Pear is a West Indian native fruit that grows on an evergreen nut tree in marshy areas. The fruit is sometimes eaten pickled, and the flavor is often described as similar to mango.
Andean Blackberry
As the name implies, the Andean Blackberry thrives in high elevations such as Bolivia and the northern and central Andes. This fruit is high in antioxidants and vitamins, and it is regarded as delicious and healthy food in the region. Some compare the flavor to loganberry or other blackberries, but it is more intensely tangy.
Annato
Annato is a tropical plant native to Mexico and Brazil. Annatto has a slightly sweet, floral, nutty, and peppery flavor and scent and is commonly used as a seasoning or condiment. Annatto has a brilliant orange-red color due to a high concentration of carotenoid pigments, also found in other red and orange fruits and vegetables such as carrots. This is why annatto is such a popular natural food coloring ingredient. Carotenoids are antioxidants that may benefit eye health.
Apple
Without mentioning the apple, no list of fruits beginning with the letter “a” would be complete! The apple tree is thought to have originated in Central Asia thousands of years ago; today, apple trees can be found throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas, and beyond. This highly adaptable fruit is consumed raw, cooked, and processed into applesauce, jams, ciders, and juice.
Because apples are used in a wide range of cultural cuisines, the possibilities are seemingly limitless. Some people use it to flavor savory foods like sausages and meat dishes, while others use it to flavor desserts like pies and pastries. People eat the flesh and skin, but the seeds are not safe to eat because they contain trace amounts of toxins.
Apple Berry
Apple Berry grows on a shrub native to Australia’s coast and tablelands. It’s also known as “apple dumpling.” The fruit is elongated and does not resemble apples. It got its name from the fact that many people think apple berries taste like stewed apples or kiwifruit. Apple berries are popular among Australian gardeners who prefer native plants because of their attractive appearance, delicious fruit, and ability to attract birds. After falling from the bush, the fruit ripens.
Apple Guava
The apple guava is a spherical fruit that looks like an apple. It is derived from tropical and subtropical trees native to Central and South America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It is one of over 100 guava fruit varieties and is typically eaten raw. They’re also popular with soft cheeses, desserts, and seafood.
Apple Rose
Rose apples are another name for apple roses. This small oval-shaped fruit’s flavor and scent notes are slightly rosy floral. The trees are indigenous to the Southeast Asian islands. They are now grown in subtropical climates all over the world. Culinary applications include infusing apple roses into sugar, jellies, sauces, and beverages. They can be eaten raw or cooked.
African Bird Pepper
This pepper is related to the more well-known cayenne pepper. Because it is indigenous to Africa, it can be found in a variety of traditional African dishes. African bird pepper is high in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants.
African Horned Cucumber
The African horned cucumber, also known as kiwano or horned melon, is a yellow oval-shaped fruit with small spines on its outer surface. The inside tastes like a very seedy cucumber, and when the horned melon is green, it tastes like cucumber as well. When ripe, the skin turns yellowish-orange, and it has a mildly sweet flavor similar to bananas and kiwis.
Almonds
Almonds are, in fact, fruit! Or, more accurately, it is the germ of one. Like apricots, plums, and cherries, almonds are drupes, but their outer fruit is hard and inedible. Instead, the nut inside has become a global household favorite.
Almonds, which originated in Iran, have become a culinary staple in sweet and savory dishes on almost every continent. It is incredibly versatile, capable of producing almond milk, almond syrup, almond butter, marzipan, almond flour, and other products. Almonds are one of my favorite foods, and they are great for gluten-free and vegan diets.
Alphonso Mango
There isn’t anything that tastes better than a fresh, ripe, and juicy mango, as I’m sure many of you will agree. It originated in India and is now grown in almost every tropical country.
It has become very popular in many tropical countries due to its exquisite taste and is commonly used in many desserts and beverages. There are hundreds of mango varieties, each with its own distinct flavor and texture, but Alphonso mangos are one of my favorites. They are small, round or oval, and yellow-skinned, with a creamy sweet interior when ripe.
I like Alphonso mangos because they are usually sweeter than most mangos found in the US, and the seeds don’t have many fibrous “strings.” While I will bear some strings for a juicily sweet Jamaican mango, one cannot deny the convenience of a mango without them 27.
Apricot
Apricots are small peach-like fruit that grows on small trees in the prune family. The orange color comes from beta-carotene, and apricots are high in vitamins, antioxidants, fiber, and other beneficial phytochemicals.
Since ancient times, Armenians have grown apricots, and other ancient cultures, such as the ancient Egyptians, have grown their own varieties.
Apricots are a popular ingredient in Jewish, Middle Eastern, Asian, and North African cuisines. This fruit is also used in traditional Chinese medicine. They are eaten fresh and raw, dried, or cooked into various sweet and savory dishes.
Amla
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is most well-known for its use as a hair treatment. It is indigenous to India and has traditionally been used as a hair mask to promote health and growth. The fruit is a nutritional powerhouse, high in vitamin C and antioxidants. It is widely used in Ayurveda, Indian traditional herbal medicine, and for a good reason.
While the fruit can sometimes be found frozen in Indian grocery stores, it is said to have a sour and bitter taste. Sometimes, it is pickled, candied, or added in small amounts to cooked dishes. However, it is more commonly used in powder form for topical application or as a supplement in a capsule.
If you are on blood thinners or have diabetes, consult your doctor before taking amla as a supplement because it is an anticoagulant and lowers blood sugar.
Annona
Annona is a grouping of a few tropical fruits found in the Caribbean and elsewhere. Soursop, Sugar Apple, and Custard Apple are just a few examples.
Araca-boi
Araca-boi is a large yellow fruit that looks like guava. They are possibly native to Brazil and thrive in non-flooding areas near the Amazon. The fruit is juicy, acidic, and packed with vitamin C. It’s commonly used to flavor desserts, ice cream, and drinks. People also like to eat raw, fresh araca-boi.
Argan
Argan oil has been all the rage in the health and beauty press over the last decade. The nourishing oil, also known as Moroccan oil, is found in a variety of shampoo, hair care, and skincare products. Morocco is strongly associated with this fruit. People are often surprised to learn that argan oil has culinary applications. Argan oil is a high-nutritional oil that is high in vitamin E and other fat-soluble vitamins.
Argan oil is used to flavor couscous and bread in Morocco. Another popular application is to grind a mixture of argan and almond into a paste that can be used as a spread similar to peanut butter. Argan nuts are green, oval-shaped nuts that are slightly larger than olives.
Arrayan
Arrayan fruit is native to Mexico and has spread to other subtropical areas such as Puerto Rico. They are also referred to as the Sartre guava.
This fruit has a guava-like flavor and texture, and some people eat it whole, including the seeds. Arrayan fruits are also dried and used to make jam.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry. While the leaves, fruit, and seeds are edible, ashwagandha is more commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine. Some practitioners believe it is a natural anti-inflammatory that can help with a variety of conditions. Researchers are investigating the validity of some of the medicinal claims, as they are with many herbs used in traditional medicine.
Asian Pear
The Asian pear is a fruit with a lot of different names. The zodiac pear, apple pear, Japanese pear, Taiwanese pear, Chinese pear, or Korean pear are all names for it. These fruits are native to East Asia, as their names suggest. They are grown in Asia, Cyprus, Australia, and other places. The fruit is round and large, with a crisp, juicy texture.
People regarded the Asian pear as a reasonably priced and delectable delicacy for centuries. As a result, there is a strong tradition of giving or eating these fruits as gifts or during celebrations. These juicy, fragrant fruits are frequently used to flavor and sweeten soy and vinegar-based sauces used in various savory dishes.
Atemoya
Atemoya is a tropical fruit hybrid created by crossing the sugar apple and the cherimoya. Both of the parent fruits are tropical in origin. Atemoya can be found in Taiwan, Cuba, Venezuela, and elsewhere. Other names include the pineapple sugar apple, which refers to the common misconception that it is a cross between a pineapple and a sugar apple.
This fruit has a heart-shaped appearance with a light green-colored bumpy-looking skin. People eat raw fresh fruit, cutting it open and scooping out the fresh fruit. Toxins are present in the small black seeds, which are not edible.
Atherton Raspberry
The Atherton Raspberry is indigenous to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Warm tropical and subtropical climates are ideal for these tiny red berries. They are considered a type of bramble and are enjoyed seasonally. The flavor of the fruit is sharp and intensely raspberry.
Australian Finger Lime
Caviar lime is another name for Australian Finger Lime. They thrive in Australia’s subtropical lowland rainforests.
They are not yet widely cultivated despite their popularity as gourmet “bushfood,” they are not yet widely cultivated. The name “lime caviar” refers to the red caviar-like appearance of the juice vesicles, occasionally used as a topping or garnish. Australian finger lime is most commonly used in marmalade.
Australian Round Lime
As the name suggests, the Australian Round Lime is indigenous to Australia. The skin of this spherical fruit is greenish or yellow, and the pulp is pale green. Most commonly used as a flavoring or in marmalades. People also zest the peel to garnish and flavor pasta and any other dish that calls for a lime peel.
Ausubo
Ausubo is native to the Caribbean and can also be found in Mexico and Brazil. The wood of the tree is a popular timber product that is used to make furniture and decorative items. People also consume the yellow fruit when it is in season.
Avocado
Avocados are probably familiar to you because guacamole, avocado toast, and avocado shakes have been popular for years. Many people enjoy the smooth, creamy texture as well as the high concentration of healthy oils and fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin E. Due to its popularity, the avocado is thought to have originated in central Mexico and is now grown wherever a suitable climate exists.
According to archaeologists, avocados were cultivated in parts of North, Central, and South America as early as 5,000 BC. The name could be derived from a proto-Aztecan word for “testicles,” which could refer to the appearance of an avocado. As previously stated, avocados are sometimes referred to as “alligator pears,” particularly in some European countries after the Spanish brought some back from the Americas.
Azarole
Azarole berries are part of the rose family and grow on fragrant trees. The red berries are similar in size to blueberries, and some people say they taste like apples. The berries are eaten raw or cooked into preserves.