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28 Nourishing Fruits That Start With N (with pictures & facts)

Do you get bored eating the same fruits repeatedly? I do, but I still want my 5-a-day!

This list of fruits that start with N can help you introduce some variety into your diet.

As a kid, I was sceptical about eating anything that would be good for me. My personal “do not eat” list included fruits in particular until I tried a special sweet fruit that changed my mind.

I was immediately taken in by this gem’s sugary, juicy, and distinctive taste. Guess what it was?

Here’s a hint: it’s #12 on this list of fruit!

So let me take you on a journey to the land of fruits beginning with the letter N, where we just could find some surprises.

Fruits That Start With N thumbnail

Let’s dive into the full list of fruits that start with N!

Naartjie

Naartjie, commonly known as tangerine or mandarin orange, is a citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia but produced worldwide, including South Africa. The little, easy-to-peel fruit is popular as a snack or in salads.

Naartjies are high in vitamin C and other antioxidants and taste like oranges but are more fragrant and subtle. They’re popular in winter gift baskets and pastries since they are in season.

Naartjie fruit is scientifically known as Citrus reticulata (which sounds like a spell from Harry Potter, if you ask me).

Nagami kumquat

Nagami kumquat fruit with green leaves and a knife on a wooden board

The oval fruit has a thin, edible orange-yellow peel and a tangy, delicious interior. The flavor is sweet and sour, like a lemon-orange mix.

Nagami kumquats are used in pastries, preserves, and cocktail garnishes. The fruit is full of vitamin C and other antioxidants, making it a healthy and tasty ingredient.

Nagami kumquats are scientifically known as Fortunella margarita.

Nam Dok Mai

Nam Dok Mai mangoes are popular in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The Thai term for this fruit, “Nam Dok Mai,” means “flower water” because of its excellent aroma and flavor.

Nam Dok Mai mangoes are oval with thin skin that is yellow-green when unripe and golden yellow when ripe. Because of its luscious, juicy, and silky flesh, this fruit is often used in desserts and smoothies.

Mangifera indica is the scientific name for Nam Dok Mai mangoes.

Nance

Central and South American tropical fruit nance has thin, tough skin and delicious pulp. It also has a sweet, tangy, somewhat acidic taste like a sour cherry or cranberry.

Nance is utilized in traditional medicine as well as in cooking. It’s used in smoothies, cocktails, jams, and jellies.

The botanical name of this fruit is Byrsonima crassifolia.

Nannyberry

Nannyberry (Viburnum lentago) is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to North America, especially the eastern and central US and Canada.

The Nannyberry plant produces clusters of tiny, white blooms in spring and dark blue to black, delicious berries in late summer or early fall. Jams, jellies, and baked items employ the sweet, luscious fruit. Nannyberry leaves can be used in drinks and cookery too.

A scientific name is Viburnum lentago.

Naranjilla

Naranjilla fruit on a wooden plate

South America, notably the Andes, grows naranjilla, a tropical fruit. It’s tiny, spherical, and green when mature, with a tomato-like texture.

Naranjilla fruit, which tastes like pineapple and lime, is utilized in beverages, juices, and sweets. The plant is attractive and its leaves are used to flavor tea.

Naranjilla goes by the scientific name Solanum quitoense.

Naseberry

Sapodilla, also known as naseberry, grows on trees in southern Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. The dark, fuzzy fruit has delicious, juicy flesh that tastes like caramel.

Naseberry is a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, fiber, potassium, and iron. It’s good fresh or in jams, jellies, and other treats.

The tree’s latex sap can also be processed into chewing gum.

The nesberry tree’s scientific name is Manilkara zapota.

Nashi pear

Nashi pears on a chopping board

East Asian nashi pear, also known as Asian pear, apple pear, and sand pear, is now grown worldwide. The fruit is spherical and crisp like an apple yet tastes and smells like a pear.

The delicious, sweet meat has yellow or green skin with a mild russeting. Nashi pears are consumed raw in salads and can be cooked in a variety of dishes. I really like these and you could use them in this delicious pear salad.

Nashi pears are scientifically known as Pyrus pyrifolia.

Natal plum

Natal plum, also known as Carissa macrocarpa, is a southern African fruit-bearing shrub. It yields sweet-tart, spherical, red to purplish-black fruits. The vitamin C-rich fruit is used to produce jams, jellies, and other preserves.

Due to its thick leaves and fragrant, star-shaped white blooms, the shrub is valued for landscaping. The natal plum is drought-tolerant and can grow in many soil types.

Navel orange

Navel oranges are delicious oranges with a little, underdeveloped secondary fruit at the blossom end, like a navel. Brazil is where the naval orange originated, although it is currently grown in the US, Spain, and Israel.

Its bright orange, smooth skin is simple to peel while its juicy flesh is sweet and contains no seeds.

This citrus fruit is scientifically known as Citrus sinensis, a hybrid between sweet orange and pomelo.

Nectaplum

Nectaplums are hybrids of plums and nectarines. You could call them the best of both worlds, really.

They were created in the early 20th century and are now produced in many countries.

The firm, juicy, and delicious fruit has smooth crimson or purple skin. Some nectarine plum types taste more like nectarine than plum. The fruit is mostly eaten fresh or in jams, jellies, and various sweets.

Nectarine

Peach and nectarine are related stone fruit varieties. Nectarines resemble peaches but have smooth, red or yellow skin.

Nectarines are grown worldwide starting from their 2,000-year-old Chinese origins. Their luscious, sweet flesh has a subtle peach-plum taste.

They are consumed fresh, dried, or cooked in pies, jams, and other delicacies. Nectarines include vitamin C, fiber, and other nutrients.

You can also use nectarine as a substitute for mango and an alternative to apricot in your favorite recipes.

Botanically, the nectarine is Prunus persica var. nucipersica.

Neem

Neem leaves on a table

Indian and Southeast Asian neem trees are called Azadirachta indica in scientific terms.

The “wonder tree” is known for its medical and environmental benefits. For instance, ayurvedic medicine treats skin diseases, fever, and inflammation with the tree’s leaves, bark, seeds, and oil.

The sweet pulp of the neem fruit is eaten fresh or dried and is also used to make juice.

Nepali hog plum

Nepali hog plum, also known as lapsi or lapsi fruit, is a sour and acidic fruit from South Asia. The little, spherical fruit has a hard shell that must be smashed open to expose its luscious content.

Nepali hog plum is used in South Asian chutneys, pickles, and sauces and as a snack or dessert. The fruit’s vitamins and minerals may help digestion and promote immunity.

The Nepali hog plum tree’s bark and leaves are also utilized in traditional medicine as well as cooking.

The tree goes by the scientific name Spondias pinnata.

Nespera fruit

Nespera fruit on a branch

Nespera fruit, often known as loquat, is a delicious, tiny Chinese fruit produced in various parts of the world. This orange-yellow, fuzzy fruit is luscious, sweet, and somewhat acidic.

Traditional medicine employs Nespera tree leaves to heal coughs, sore throats, and skin irritations, in addition to culinary purposes.

The botanical name of Nespera fruit is Eriobotrya japonica.

New Zealand cranberry

New Zealand and some portions of Australia are home to the karamu, or New Zealand cranberry. Despite its name, it’s an elderberry, not a cranberry. How confusing, right?

Jams, jellies, and sauces employ the acidic, red fruit. It’s also used in traditional Maori medicine.

New Zealand cranberry is botanically called Aristotelia serrata.

Newtown Pippin apple

American classic Newtown Pippin apples have a rich history. It was found in Queens, New York in the 18th century and became famous owing to its unique flavor and good preservation.

Apple fans have now rediscovered this medium-sized, russeted greenish-yellow fruit, which fell out of favor in the early 20th century. What goes around, comes around, as they say.

The apple’s crisp, juicy, somewhat acidic flesh has a rich, spicy or wine-like flavor. It’s an ideal choice for pies and cider.

Newtown Pippin apple is called Malus domestica in scientific language.

Niitaka pear

Japanese Niitaka pears are huge, sweet, and juicy. They have a sweet, somewhat tangy taste and soft, fragrant flesh.

The pears are eaten fresh and in salads, desserts, and other treats. They’re available from early summer until the end of autumn.

Niitaka pears are also known as Nijisseiki pears, their scientific name is Pyrus pyrifolia.

Nikita’s Gift persimmon

Nikita’s Gift persimmons are sweet and juicy. New Zealand ‘invented’ it in the 1970s, and it’s now popular worldwide. The reddish-orange fruit is medium-sized and flattened. It’s usually eaten fresh or baked.

The Nikita’s Gift persimmon is named after former Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, who visited New Zealand in 1960.

This hybrid variety is a cross between the Japanese and American persimmon trees. The fruit’s scientific name is Diospyros kaki ‘Nikita’s Gift’.

Noiret grape

Cornell University’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station produced the Noiret red wine grape in the early 2000s. It is a hybrid of NY65 and Steuben grapes.

The Noiret grape produces full-bodied red wines due to its rich red color, powerful taste, and spicy undertones.

Noiret wines are stored in oak barrels for months or years to improve taste and fragrance. The wine has a long, silky finish with a rich aroma of black fruits, spices, and earthy overtones.

This hybrid variety’s scientific name is Vitis vinifera ‘Noiret’.

Nonda plum

The small to medium-sized rainforest tree Nonda plum (Davidsonia jerseyana) is endemic to northern New South Wales and Queensland, Australia.

The nonda plum tree produces a cherry-sized, dark crimson to purple drupe. It contains antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, and zinc and tastes tangy and sweet.

Noni fruit

Several noni fruits on leaves

Tropical noni fruit, also known as Indian mulberry, grows on a tiny evergreen tree in Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands. The fruit smells and tastes strong, cheesy, or even unpleasant.

Noni fruit has several health advantages despite its strong flavor and smell. Traditional medicine uses it to treat arthritis, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Noni fruit comes from the Rubiaceae family of plants and is known as Morinda citrifolia in scientific language.

Nonpareil apple

US-grown Nonpareil apples are delicious and luscious. They’re well known for their greenish-yellow complexion, crimson flush, and white flesh.

During apple season, grocery shops and farmers’ markets sell it worldwide.

Nonpareil apples are best eaten fresh or cooked in pies, tarts, sauces, and preserves. The apple also has a unique aroma and flavor that pairs well with cheeses.

The Nonpareil apple tree belongs to the Malus genus of plants and goes by the scientific name Malus domestic.

North Star cherry

North Star cherry is a Minnesota-developed tart cherry (Prunus cerasus). The small to medium-sized deciduous tree yields brilliant red, delicious cherries for cooking.

When compared to other cherry types, the North Star cherry is much less sweet and more sour. Pies, jams, and preserves are just some of the many baked goods and dishes that benefit from their inclusion. Cherry juice and wine are common uses for the fruit.

Northern Spy apple

The Northern Spy apple originated in New York in the early 1800s. Its green-yellow skin is typically flushed crimson on one side.

Northern Spy apples have crisp, juicy, acidic, and somewhat sweet flesh. It is a good apple for eating fresh and for baking and cooking since it keeps its form.

Northern Spy apple is a cultivar of the Malus genus and is scientifically named Malus pumila ‘Northern Spy’.

Nungu fruit

Nungu fruit, also known as Ice Apple or Taal fruit, is a tropical fruit from South and Southeast Asia. It comes from the Palmyra palm tree (Borassus flabellifer).

Nungu fruit resembles a little apple or peach and is spherical or oblong. Cracking the fruit’s thin, rigid shell reveals its jelly-like core.

Nungu fruit flesh is transparent, white, and mildly sweet and refreshing. As a refreshing summer delicacy, it is eaten fresh in many places.

Nutmeg

Several nutmegs are in a bowl that is on a wooden surface. Two nutmegs and a grater are next to the bowl

The Myristica fragrans tree, endemic to various Southeast Asian islands, produces nutmeg. The tree provides nutmeg and mace, two spices. I never knew it was a fruit until recently.

Nutmeg is offered dry and powdered and is roughly the size of a plum. Nutmeg adds a warm, sweet, and somewhat spicy taste to baked products, pies, custards, meat dishes, and soups.

It’s also used in fragrances, liqueurs, and traditional medicine.

Keep in mind that nutmeg fruit can cause hallucinations and other health problems if taken in excess.

Its scientific name is Myristica fragrans.

Nuts

Nuts are “fruit with a hard, inedible outer shell containing the seed.” Their stiff, woody shell protects the seed.

Almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, and hazelnuts are nuts. They are abundant in protein, good fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them a healthy snack. Here’s a song about nuts if you don’t believe me.

Several noni fruits on leaves

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28 Nourishing Fruits That Start With N (with pictures & facts)

From nectarines to Nashi pears, discover 28 delicious and nutritious fruits that start with N. Expand your fruit horizons today!
Type round-up

Ingredients

  • Naartjie
  • Nagami kumquat
  • Nam Dok Mai
  • Nance
  • Nannyberry
  • Naranjilla
  • Naseberry
  • Nashi pear
  • Natal plum
  • Navel orange
  • Nectaplum
  • Nectarine
  • Neem
  • Nepali hog plum
  • Nespera fruit
  • New Zealand cranberry
  • Newtown Pippin apple
  • Niitaka pear
  • Nikita’s Gift persimmon
  • Noiret grape
  • Nonda plum
  • Noni fruit
  • Nonpareil apple
  • North Star cherry
  • Northern Spy apple
  • Nungu fruit
  • Nutmeg
  • Nuts
Show us your version!Tag @HurryTheFoodUp on Instagram and hashtag #hurrythefoodup.

You may be left thinking, “Now that we’ve discovered the wonderful world of fruits beginning with N, what other hidden gems are out there?”

Well, vegetables and other foods that begin with the letter N are just as numerous as fruit varieties. Everything from tasty naan bread to nutrient-rich napa cabbage.

Trying new things is not only fun but also good for your health. If you haven’t tried nectarines, nance fruit, or navel oranges before, now is the time to do so. You might end up with a new favorite fruit.

The post 28 Nourishing Fruits That Start With N (with pictures & facts) appeared first on Hurry The Food Up.

Vegetarian Research

Complete List of Fruits that Start with the Letter U (#1 is so ugly!)

Ok, fruits beginning with U is a tricky one. But don’t let that stop you. Read on for the full list!

It’s a strange list, this one, and I hope you enjoy reading it as much I did putting it together! It also contains my favourite fruit of all time.

Let’s see what fruit begins with the letter U and how you can use it if it’s up for grabs in your area.

Four different fruits in a grid

What’s a fruit that starts with U? The type of fruit I’m going for is considered culinary fruit, either by tradition or by scientific definition.

Ugli

Ugli fruits on white background

The ugli fruit (such a mean name!), also known as Jamaican tangelo and uniq fruit, is a hybrid of grapefruit, tangerine, and Seville orange. Its distinctive look and taste were developed in Jamaica.

The citrus fruit has rough, wrinkled skin ranging in color from yellowish-green to orange. The fruit is bigger than a grapefruit and relatively simple to peel.

The ugli fruit taste suits many cocktails, smoothies, sweets, and sauces. If you don’t like grapefruit, you might want to give this one a try because it’s much less acidic.

You can also tell people you’ve made an ‘ugli cocktail!’.

The botanical name of the ugli fruit tree is Citrus reticulata × paradisi.

Ugni

Only one letter different, ugni, commonly known as Chilean guava or Ugni molinae, is a fruit-bearing shrub from Chile and Argentina.

This U fruit is round or oval and approximately the size of a blueberry (or a tiny grape). Fresh berries are deep red in colour and have white flesh.

Taste-wise, ugni berries fall in between the sweetness of strawberries and the tartness of cranberries and kiwis. They’re used to make jams, jellies, sauces, sweets, and drinks.

Ugni also makes a rich source of antioxidants, vitamins (high levels of vitamin C), and minerals.

Umari

Umari fruit, technically known as Poraqueiba sericea, is a tropical fruit from the Amazon jungle in South America. Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and Ecuador are its main locations.

Umari fruit is usually 2 to 4 cm in diameter. It has smooth and glossy skin that has a green or yellow color when unripe and turns a brilliant orange or red when completely ripe.

This unique fruit has a very creamy texture and buttery flavor. In fact, locals use it like butter to put over their bread. How cool is that?

Umbu

A brown bowl of umbu fruits is on a wooden surface

Spondias tuberosa, known as imbu, umbu, or Brazil plum is a Brazilian tropical fruit. It’s popular in the northeast of Brazil for its refreshing taste.

The round or oval Umbu fruit has thin and smooth green-to-yellow skin. Its sweet and tangy flesh combines pineapple, mango, and citrus burst of flavor.

Fresh umbu fruit is eaten by peeling the skin and eating the flesh or squeezing out the juice. Various drinks, ice cream, and pastries employ the juice.

Umbu jams and jellies can be smeared on toast or eaten as a topping or dip.

Umbra

Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands are home to the fruit-bearing tree Umbra (Spondias dulcis). You can also come across the names ambarella, June plum, and golden apple.

Umbra fruits are round, like little mangoes or apricots. Their ripe skin is smooth, yellow or golden, and somewhat fuzzy.

This U fruit tastes like a fusion of mango, pineapple, and citrus. It’s eaten raw or added to salads, sweets, and chutneys. Some cultures pickle young, immature fruit as a condiment.

Ume

Ume fruits

Ume fruit also goes by the names Chinese plum, Japanese plum, and Japanese apricot. It’s a tree species native to East Asia and popular in Japanese dishes.

Its thin, fuzzy skin is green to yellow when unripe and crimson to orange when ripe. It has luscious, acidic flesh.

Ume fruit is culturally significant in Japanese cuisine and is used to produce umeboshi, a traditional condiment.

Umeboshi are pickled ume fruits preserved in salt and occasionally scented with shiso leaves. These sour, salty pickled fruits are consumed as a side dish or in rice balls (onigiri).

Umeshu, a Japanese liqueur, is also made from ume. It’s a sweet and fragrant drink created by soaking the fruits in alcohol, usually shochu or sake, and sugar.

Ume has potential health benefits in addition to its culinary usage. It may improve digestion, promote liver function, and supply antioxidants and vitamins.

This species is a member of the Prunus genus which includes plums, peaches, and cherries. It goes by the scientific name Prunus mume.

Usakhelauri grape

Usakhelauri, a rare Georgian grape variety (Vitis vinifera), makes excellent red wines. It’s mostly grown in Lechkhumi and Racha in western Georgia. Every year for my birthday I have red wine and cheese, and this one is my next plan. Roll on summer!

Usakhelauri grapes are dark purple or black and tiny. Their flavor profile and high sugar content create sweet and fragrant wines.

Usakhelauri grapes are notoriously low-yielding, making them a difficult variety to grow. Grapes are normally harvested with the utmost care and hand-picked.

Wines made from this grape are highly sought after by connoisseurs because of their rarity and high quality.

Uva Rara grape

A hanging bunch of uva rara grape

Uva Rara is a red Italian wine grape varietal grown in Lombardy. Italian “Uva Rara” means “rare grape” due to its rarity compared to other grape varieties.

Uva Rara is typically blended with other red grapes to provide richness and depth to wines. It can include red berry, flowery, and spice notes.

Uva Rara grapes can also be developed into varietal wines. These medium-bodied wines with mild tannins include red fruit, herb, and earthy characteristics.

Uva Rara is also known as Bonarda Novarese.

Uva Tosca grape

A hanging bunch of uva tosca grape

Uva Tosca is a red wine grape produced in Emilia-Romagna, east-central Italy. It contributes to local wine production in Forlì-Cesena.

This type of grape was one of the few red wine grapes that could regularly mature in the foothills of the Apennines.

Uvalino grape

Uvalino is a red wine grape produced in Piedmont, northwest Italy. It contributes to Piedmont wine production despite its lesser fame.

Due to its high antioxidant resveratrol content, Uvalino has garnered notice in recent years for its health advantages.

As we’re starting to learn, many grapes start with U!

Uvilla

A plate of Uvilla fruits on a wooden surface

Uvilla (Physalis peruviana) is a fruit-bearing shrub endemic to Chile and Peru. It’s also commonly referred to as “Peruvian groundcherry,” “Cape gooseberry,” or simply “golden berry.”

Uvilla looks like a yellowish-green miniature tomato inside a husk, similar to a paper lantern, which turns from green to a golden or orange hue when the fruit is fully ripe.

The fruit has a nice sweetness-acidity balance. It’s frequently juiced, jammed, jellied, baked, or eaten fresh.

Uvilla or golden berry contains vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.

This is my favourite fruit of all time. I love the sweet bite with just hint of a sour behind it. In Germany, where I live, they are called Physalis and are relatively popular. In English-speaking countries they have various names, including cape gooseberry.

A plate of Uvilla fruits on a wooden surface

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11 Surprising Fruits That Start With U: 2025 Edition!

Discover a world of extraordinary fruits that start with U. Explore their flavors, origins, and culinary possibilities in this captivating fruit guide.
Type round-up
Author Dave

Ingredients

  • Ugli
  • Ugni
  • Umari
  • Umbu
  • Umbra
  • Ume
  • Usakhelauri grape
  • Uva Rara grape
  • Uva Tosca grape
  • Uvalino grape
  • Uvilla
Show us your version!Tag @HurryTheFoodUp on Instagram and hashtag #hurrythefoodup.

Which common fruits that start with U did you know before? Share your favorite U fruits in the comments!

To discover more items that deserve a spotlight in your collection of culinary knowledge, check out my list of foods that start with T.

If you’re a veggie lover or just want to eat more greens, my T vegetable guide is also a must-read. It contains some very surprising veggies!

Go here to find out more about fruits that start with T.

The post Complete List of Fruits that Start with the Letter U (#1 is so ugly!) appeared first on Hurry The Food Up.

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