When it comes to produce that begins with the letter “X”, the pickings are slim. Common fruits like apples, bananas and oranges are nowhere to be found. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t some exotic and interesting options out there! Here are some of the unique fruits that start with X
Xigua
Xigua, also known as the Chinese watermelon, is one great example of a fruit starting with X As its name suggests, xigua is a type of watermelon native to China
These watermelons can grow quite large, with some varieties weighing over 90 pounds! The rind is light green with faint yellow striping, while the flesh is bright crimson and ultra juicy.
Xigua watermelons are packed with nutrients like vitamins A, B, and C, plus antioxidants. They have a sweet, refreshing flavor perfect for eating fresh or blending into agua fresca.
In China, xigua is a popular gift to bring to gatherings. It also sometimes goes by the name “watermelon radish” due to its resemblance to daikon radishes when sliced.
Ximenia
Ximenia is a genus of shrubs and small trees native to Africa and parts of Asia. Several species in this genus bear edible plum-like fruits called ximenia or sea lemon.
These small round fruits measure about 1-2 inches wide. They have a thin reddish skin encasing translucent orange pulp with a crispy texture and sour, lemon-lime taste.
Ximenia fruit contains vitamin C, iron, calcium, and antioxidants. The tart pulp is often made into jams, juices, alcoholic beverages, or eaten fresh for a tangy kick.
Xarel-lo
Moving from fruits to grapes, Xarel-lo is a white grape variety mainly grown in Spain. It’s one of three grapes used to make the sparkling wine Cava, along with Macabeo and Parellada grapes.
Xarel-lo grapes have a high acidity and low sugar content, which provides freshness and crispness to Cava. The grapes ripen late in the season and have thick skins resistant to fungal rot.
Wines made from 100% Xarel-lo grapes exhibit citrus and mineral flavors with medium body and crisp acidity. They pair well with seafood, poultry, and creamy dishes.
Xoconostle
Xoconostle is a sour fruit that comes from a type of cactus native to Mexico and Central America. It’s often referred to as sour cactus fruit.
These petite oval fruits measure about 2-3 inches long. Their skin matures from green to reddish-pink, while the flesh inside is juicy and tart. They contain numerous tiny edible seeds.
Raw xoconostle is quite sour, with a flavor profile combining strawberry, lemon, and rhubarb notes. It can be eaten straight as a palate cleanser or made into jam, salsa, desserts, or fermented into vinegar.
Xylocarp
Lastly, xylocarp isn’t a specific fruit but rather a botanical term. It refers to any fruit with a hard, woody outer layer or shell.
Some examples of xylocarp fruits include coconuts, pecans, walnuts, pine nuts, and Brazil nuts. The xylocarp shell protects the inner seed and helps delay germination.
So while pickings are sparse, these exotic x-starting fruits offer unique flavors, textures, and nutrients to those adventurous enough to seek them out! Trying produce from outside the mainstream apples and bananas can really expand your palate.
Fruits Starting With X
Now, moving on to fruits, we have the spiky Xerophytes!
Xerophyte is a type of plant that can adapt to survive and thrive in arid or desert-like environments. Sound familiar? You got it, cacti fall under this category, as do pineapples and some gymnosperm plants.
And fun fact: the Xerophyte “fruit” we’re talking about can be fruits or vegetables.
Why? Well, that’s because not every edible part of a Xerophyte qualifies as a fruit.
For example, nopales plants have long, flat leaves that can be eaten. You can find them at many farmers’ markets and grocery stores.
Xoconostle is already on the list of things we should talk about, so let’s not go too far. This sour prickly pear variety grows at the very end of the nopales. Its skin is pale green, and the flesh is peach or pink.
Because it is sour, it goes well with salsas and sauces, like the traditional Mexican mole sauce (Mole de Olla).
You can even roast it or puree it; just peel it and cook the smooth, creamy flesh in a pan, on a grill, or with any other kitchen tools you have on hand!
Theres no better way to beat the heat than by enjoying a sip of a fresh summer drink.
And Xigua, which is another name for watermelon, is without a doubt the best fruit for smoothies and juices. If you haven’t tried making watermelon juice yet, now is the time!
Not only is it incredibly refreshing, but its also loaded with vitamins and minerals. Watermelon is full of vitamins A and C, which help keep your skin healthy, boost your immune system, and make collagen.
It also lowers the risk of getting chronic diseases and helps protect cells from different kinds of damage!
Another refreshing fruit that’s perfect for smoothies (and cheesecake bars!) is Xiangjiao or banana!
The fruit is yellow, curved, and long, like many other banana types. The flesh is creamy and pale yellow to bright golden, depending on how ripe it is.
As a fruit native to China, Xiangjiao has been integrated into various aspects of Chinese life. Not only is it used in traditional Chinese cooking, but it can also be found in old books, artwork, and even traditional medicine.
When discussing summer favorites, mangoes (or “Xoài” in Vietnamese) simply cannot be left out.
Every summer when it gets warmer, I make sure to buy some juicy, plump mangoes at the farmers markets. My favorite treat is mangonada!
It’s really tasty and easy to make, and I love making them for parties by the pool or outdoors picnics. If you cant find fresh mangoes, dont worry—you can use frozen ones!.
If it’s your first time preparing mangoes, check out my simple tutorial on how to peel them.
If you need tamarind to spruce up your sauces, chutneys, marinades, drinks, and even desserts, look no further than Xoay! Here are 20 Best Ways to Use Them.
Not only are they versatile, theyre incredibly good for the body too. Dont let the size fool you. Yes, the fruit is small, but boy are they jam-packed with essential antioxidants!.
1 Xylocarp Fruit (Xylocarpus Granatum)
Xylocarp fruit has many names: cannonball mangrove, cedar mangrove, puzzlenut tree. But what it really is is a tropical fruit with a hard woody pericarp…coconuts basically.
The Xylocarpus Granatum tree, on the other hand, looks bushier and denser than a normal coconut. It grows in salty, brackish water in Australia, the Pacific Islands, Asia, and Africa.
The fruit also splits open once it ripens and falls off the tree, unlike the tougher-to-crack coconuts.
Whether eaten raw or added into jellies, pies, and jams, Xing Zi or apricots are a total crowd-pleaser.
Because they taste sweet and sour and are soft but slightly firm, they’re great for summer picnics, dessert tables, brunch parties, or really any event!
Check out this article to learn how to pick the yummiest, juiciest apricot in your local store.
Wrapping up, weve got the most, well, dangerous X fruit in this lineup: the Xanthium.
This plant is dangerous because it has many spikes on it, making it look like a small hedgehog. It can also really irritate your skin. Plus, it’s definitely not for eating.
That’s right, not all fruits are edible. In fact, theres quite a bunch of them: Alpine honeysuckle, asparagus berries, coyote melon, and so many more.
Fruit Names That Start With X
FAQ
What melon starts with X?