Hello, fruit lovers! Today, we’ll look at 58 exotic and unusual fruits that start with C. These fruits come from different parts of the world, stand out with their looks, and offer unique flavors. Some of these C fruits are a popular snack option, while a few can only be enjoyed once cooked and flavored with other ingredients.
This list of fruits that begin with C is a perfect fit for adventurous eaters and anyone who loves to try new things. Plus, if you’re planning a fruit-themed trivia night, this list will ensure you bring that A-game.
Let’s find out what these C fruits are!
List of 58 Tempting Fruits that Start with C
There are 2000 different types of fruits, and some, like apples, have as many as 7500 variants! That’s a lot of fruit. But do we know them all? Have we even tried half of them? Okay, maybe a quarter? No! Research shows that the Western diet only includes 10% of the total fruits.
To broaden our fruit horizon, I’ve compiled a list of 58 fruits that start with C. From the well-known ones to the obscure, this list has it all.
- Cacao Fruit
- Cactus Pear
- Cainito
- Calabash
- Calamansi
- Camu Camu
- Canary Melon
- Canistel Fruit
- Cantaloupe
- Cape Gooseberry
- Caqui
- Cara Cara
- Carambola
- Carissa
- Cascara
- Cashew Apple Fruit
- Casimiroa
- Cassabanana
- Catmon
- Cattley Guava
- Caviar Lime
- Cawesh
- Cedar Bay Cherry
- Cempedak
- Ceylon Gooseberry
- Changunga
- Charichuelo
- Chayote
- Cherimoya
- Cherries
- Cherry Plum
- Chico Fruit
- Chocolate-Fruit
- Chokeberry
- Chokecherry
- Citron
- Citrofortunella
- Clementine
- Cloudberry
- Cluster Fig
- Cocky Apple
- Coconut
- Coco De Mer
- Coco Plum
- Coffeeberry
- Coffee Fruit
- Colonnade ‘Maypole’ Apple
- Common Apple Berry
- Conkerberry
- Cornelian Cherry
- Crab Apple
- Craisin
- Crowberry
- Cucumber
- Cranberry
- Cumquat
- Cupuacu
- Currant
1. Cacao
Let’s roll the list of fruits starting with C with this oblong American football-shaped fruit native to the Americas. It has a tough exterior layer concealing a complex-flavored flesh. The outer shell comes in different colors, ranging from green and yellow to purple and maroon. And when you crack it open, you’re in for a treat! Inside, the flesh is a mix of sweet and tart, with hints of pineapple and mango dancing on your taste buds. Crack open the shell to suck the sweetness from the pulp-covered seeds. Cacao is loaded with powerful antioxidants and decent amounts of calcium, iron, and magnesium.
2. Cactus Pear
The prickly pear is originally from America. These pears flaunt beautiful colors, ranging from green to purplish red. The skin is prickly, covering a soft pale yellowish-green to fuschia-pink flesh laced with little black edible seeds. It’s a sweet and juicy fruit that tastes like an all-natural bubblegum with watermelon-like sweetness. Peel the skin to scoop out the delicious pulp. Cactus pears are a nutrition powerhouse, containing fiber, antioxidants, and carotenoids.
3. Cainito
Cainitos are star apples, star plums, and tar apples. Some people believe they originated in Central America, while others say the fruit is native to the West Indies. Cainitos look like apples with the usual green or exotic deep purple skin on the outside and like a star with milky white pulp inside. This unique fruit is sweet and has a jelly-like texture, perfect for adding to smoothies, making pies, and eating fresh out of hand. Cainitos are rich in fiber and have a strong antioxidant profile.
4. Calabash
You’re looking at a calabash gourd if you spot a huge, round, uniformly green fruit with smooth skin. Sometimes, it can also look like a bottle. The calabash fruit has other names, such as long melon, white-flowered gourd, or bottle gourd. The fruit’s flesh is firm and white that tastes sweet and sour in its natural, fresh form. But when you boil it, it takes on a bitter wine-like flavor. Besides its culinary uses, calabash can also be used as a bowl or tobacco pipe. This interesting fruit contains iron, sodium, calcium, and vitamin C.
5. Calamansi
Next, we have a tangy fruit from the Philippines called calamansi. It’s a tropical fruit that looks a lot like a mini, round tangerine. The fruit starts off green and develops a yellowish-orange hue when ripe. Calamansis have a sharp and sour flavor profile that’s perfect for lemonade recipes. Some culinary experts also use this fruit to add a piquant hit to sauces, curries, and some pasta recipes. Like all citrus fruits, the calamansi fruit is jam-packed with vitamin C. You’ll also find good amounts of calcium and potassium in this fruit.
6. Camu Camu
Camu camu is a berry native to the Amazon region of Colombia, Brazil, Venezuela, and Peru. It’s a small, round fruit with smooth, taut, and semi-thick skin. These berries flash a green hue when unripe and transition into deep shades of red and purple with age. But don’t let those dark, ripe berries fool you into assuming they’re sweet. Camu camu berries are tart and tangy and pack a powerful punch of sourness. Juice the fruit and pair it with sweeter fruity friends like pineapples, raspberries, or apples for a more palatable drink. Camu camu berries are known for their high vitamin C content and various antioxidants.
7. Canary Melon
Persia brings us a bright yellow melon that’s deliciously sweet with a hint of slight bitterness in the background. Canary melons are also known as Spanish melons. The flesh of this oval-shaped fruit is tough and white, with a cluster of edible seeds in the center. Since this fruit is low in calories, dieters love to include it in their meal plans. You can eat the fruit fresh, juice it to use in fruit punches, or cook it into jams. Canary melon popsicles and sherbet are true summer delights. This fruit has high amounts of vitamins C, E, and A.
8. Canistel
Canistel, or egg fruit, is a round, yellow fruit that has a boiled egg-like texture. Not sure you like the sound of that? Well, try it fresh before you swipe left on this delicious fruit. Canistel is originally from Central America but can now be found in other regions, such as South Florida and Hawaii. The fruit’s flesh tastes sweet with hints of pumpkin, almond, and sweet potato. Eating this fruit fresh or adding it to custards or smoothies is best. Canistels are low in fat but rich in vitamin C, phosphorus, and calcium.
9. Cantaloupe
The cantaloupe is a muskmelon, along with honeydew melon and casaba melon. It’s an oblong-shaped fruit with juicy orange flesh that’s mildly sweet. The rind of this fruit is textured like a net, making it easy to spot among other melons. Cantaloupes are great for snacking or making refreshing smoothies or fruit salads. You can even wrap slices of cantaloupe with prosciutto for a tasty appetizer. This melon contains vitamins A and C, potassium, and fiber. It’s also low in calories, making it an excellent choice for weight-watchers.
10. Cape Gooseberry
Tiny, yellow, round berries are cape gooseberries cradled in a papery husk. They grow on small plants in Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. These berries have a golden skin covered in thousands of little hairs. The flesh is sweet (sometimes tart) and juicy, with small edible seeds. Cape gooseberries make for nutritious dried snacks you can munch on when craving something sweet. You can also use them to flavor pies, tarts, jams, and cocktails. Cape gooseberries are rich in vitamin C.
11. Caqui
Caqui is another name for persimmon, a sweet, rich fruit from Japan that tastes like honey. Some people also call it the fruit of autumn or kaki. A caqui can be pumpkin-shaped or spherical. It has a glossy exterior can be light yellow-orange or deep red-orange. On the inside, the flesh is light orange, mimicking an apricot’s texture. Some people compare the flavor of the fruit to that of a mango with a touch of sweet spice. But that’s only when the fruit has ripened. An unripe caqui is acrid and bitter. The fruit is a good source of crucial minerals and essential vitamins, especially C, A, and E.
12. Cara Cara
Cara Cara oranges look like all other oranges – orange with smooth skin. But once you cut into one, you’ll find a pinkish-red flesh. This fruit is also called red navel oranges because they have a small navel-like mark on the top end, like all navels. These oranges are sweet and juicy with a slight raspberry tang to them. Use cara cara oranges for juicing, as a refreshing addition to salads, or even to make jams. They are high in vitamin C and are a good source of folate.
13. Carambola
Here’s a fruit from Asia, typically Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines – the carambola. This fruit is also known as starfruit because of its unique shape when sliced. When cut crosswise, this tropical fruit has a five-pointed star shape with yellow skin that turns greenish-brown when ripe. The flesh of the carambola is crisp and juicy, with hints of grapes and pears. Enjoy a carambola out of your hand, or use it to make some sweet and tangy pickles and juices. The fruit contains flavonoids, vitamin C, beta-carotene, and gallic acid.
14. Carissa
Carissa comes from the tropical regions of Asia, Australia, and Africa – pretty well-spread, huh? The fruit has a plum-like shape with smooth and waxy skin. Underneath that dark red or purple peel is pink, juicy pulp that’s tart and sweet at the same time. There are also twelve small brown flat seeds in the center. Since carissa tastes like cranberries, you can trust its tartness to work in juices, salads, and ice cream. You can also eat it fresh or use it in your amazing tart and pie recipes. Jams and jellies are other great options. Carisaa contains good amounts of phosphorus, calcium, iron, and vitamins C and A.
15. Cascara
Cascara, also known as coffee cherry tea or cascara sagrada, is a beverage made from the dried skins and pulp of coffee cherries. When making coffee, the seeds (or beans) are removed from the fruit, leaving behind the skin and pulp that are usually discarded. However, these parts of the fruit can be dried and brewed into a flavorful tea. Cascara has a slightly sweet, fruity taste with notes of cherry, currant, and hibiscus. It’s also high in antioxidants and contains caffeine, making it a healthier alternative to traditional coffee.
16. Cashew Apple
Next, we have the South American cashew apples. It’s a fruit with a deliciously sweet and juicy flesh surrounding cashew nuts. Cashew apples are pear-shaped with smooth and waxy skin that can be yellow and red. This medium-sized fruit has a pleasant aroma, giving off sweet fruity notes. This is your pick if you want to try a tropical fruit that tastes similar to a blend of cucumbers, mangoes, and strawberries. Many eat cashew apples fresh with a light sprinkle of salt. Others make jellies and jams with it.
17. Casimiroa
Casimiroa, or Mexican apple, is from eastern Mexico and parts of Central America. It’s a green fruit that looks similar to an avocado in terms of size and shape. The flesh is creamy and sweet, has a pale yellow tint, and houses a few seeds in the center. Although the fruit is edible, the seeds aren’t. They can be toxic, so it’s best to leave them out. Casimiroa is a great pick for salad bowls. The fruit has the nutritional properties of a banana, offering carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins. Don’t eat too much at once; it’s known to cause drowsiness.
18. Cassabanana
Meet the Brazilian cassabanana, which also grows in lowland, tropical zones of Mexico and the Caribbean islands. Cassabanans are long and cylindrical with slightly blunt edges. They resemble cucumbers. The rind is hard, smooth, and glossy, flaunting a stunning deep purple hue. The fruit has an orange pulp with a few brownish-black seeds in the middle. When allowed to ripen, cassabananas are sweet like cantaloupes, creamy like bananas, and succulent like cucumbers. Cook and add them to soups and stews to enjoy the rich antioxidant properties.
19. Catmon
Catmon, or elephant apple, is a round, light green fruit native to the Philippines. Catmons are soft and fleshy on the inside and have a thin, waxy skin. The fruit tastes sour, like green apples, with a slight hint of sweetness. It makes some delicious chutneys, jams, and curries. You can also eat catmons fresh with a sprinkle of black salt to balance out the flavors. The fruit has high levels of fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C.
20. Cattley Guava
Brazil grows an invasive guava type called the cattley guava. Some also refer to it as strawberry guava because of its tangy and sweet strawberry-like taste. This small round fruit comes in shades of red and yellow with a white, soft pulp. This delicious fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked to make a zesty base for purees, sauces, and punches. It’s also used in wine-making. Cattley guavas are jam-packed with vitamins A and C and have good potassium.
21. Caviar Lime
Meet one of Australia’s gourmet fruit that heavily resembles bananas. The fruit earns its name from the caviar-like beads inside its bump skin. The fruit starts its cycle with green skin that turns pink and later matures into a shade of brown. It has translucent, juicy pearls that can pop into your mouth and burst with your teeth for a tangy kick. Caviar lime, or finger lime, is a popular ingredient for refreshingly tangy ice cream. Culinary experts also pair it with seafood and use it to flavor their tacos. The fruit is a powerhouse of vitamin C.
22. Cawesh
South Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala grow an aromatic and delicious fruit called cawesh. You might recognize it as a sugar apple or macambo. The cawesh fruit is small, round, and green with a rough exterior. Inside, it has juicy, white flesh surrounding several black seeds. If you’re a fan of the stellar banana and pineapple combo, you’d love cawesh. It has a creamy mouthfeel and tastes sweet. Mix it with your morning cereal, blend it with frozen yogurt to make ice cream, or puree it to make cold, refreshing smoothies. The fruit is also a great fiber, iron, and calcium source.
23. Cedar Bay Cherry
It’s raining Australian native fruits, and I’m here for it! Cedar bay cherries are small and juicy, tasting a lot like grapes. They have a shiny, bright orange outer layer that conceals a cherry-like pit in the middle. Australians pit the fruit and cook it to make chutneys, jams, and pie fillings. You can also use them to top your ice cream and cakes or add them to your baked goodies like muffins and bread for a burst of citrusy sweetness. The fruit is an excellent natural source of vitamin C and antioxidants.
24. Cempedak
The jackfruit-related cempedak is from Asian regions like Malaysia and Indonesia. Cempedaks are tubular, looking like a squished rugby ball. They’re rough on the outside and boast a green, sometimes yellow, skin. When you cut the fruit open, you’ll find a dark yellow flesh divided into segments with a single seed. Cempedak is best eaten fresh, but you can also serve it fried or roasted and drizzled with honey for a crunchy, caramelized treat. The fruit brings a lot of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and carbs.
25. Ceyline Gooseberry
Ceyline gooseberry, or kitambilla, is a tart, small Srilankan fruit. When unripe, it is pale green or orange and takes on a dark purple tint as it ages. On the inside, the fruit has a lush reddish-purple pulp that’s sour enough to have you pucker your lips. If you’ve tasted an acidic apricot, you know what I mean. Once the fruit ripens, the sugar levels concentrate, resulting in a more palatable flavor profile. People prefer sweetening the fruit with honey, sugar, or jaggery to make delicious jams and jellies. Ceyline gooseberries are rich in vitamin C and fiber.
26. Changunga
Changungas hail from Mexico and are more commonly known as nance. They are cherries, but instead of being deep red, they flash shades of yellow and orange. They have a sweet, mildly cheesy flavor profile. Those who’ve tried the fruit say it’s a decadent combination of bananas, pears, and lychees. The scent, however, is pretty discerning. People cook it with other ingredients like jaggery, sugar, and lemon to make jams. Changungas are packed with vitamin C, dietary fiber, and antioxidants.
27. Charichuelo
The tropical rainforests of Central and South America grow the sweet and tangy charichuelos. This fruit looks cool, looking like a shriveled and droopy bright-yellow lemon. It’s so similar that people often refer to it as lemon drop mangosteen. Sadly, it’s not very easy to get your hands on this fruit. But if you get lucky, you’ll taste an all-natural lemony cotton candy – what a dreamy treat. Charichuelos also make some irresistable icecreams and jellies. The fruit is high in carbs and has a ton of vitamin C and calcium.
28. Chayote
Chayotes are pear-shaped fruits from the gourd family that are native to Mexico. They exhibit a thick and smooth green exterior that can sometimes turn brown. Some varieties are spiky on the outside. The beauty of this fruit lies in its mild and versatile flavor profile. It can be used in multiple ways. Boil, fry, or add it to your vegetable stock for extra flavor. However, be very careful when slicing the fruit – it hides a sticky sap on the inside that’s challenging to wash off. Chayotes are packed with folic acid, vitamin C, and a small amount of copper, zinc, and iron.
29. Cherimoya
Famous as custard apples, cherimoyas are green fruits native to parts of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. They are large and green, heart-shaped and conical, and have knobby warts on their skin. The cherimoya fruit tastes similar to a mix-up of bananas, strawberries, and pineapples. Their white flesh is creamy and sweet with a custard-like texture. This fruit makes a great addition to cereal and oatmeal. You can blend them with skim milk and a few other choice fruits to make a delicious smoothie. Cherimoyas are an excellent source of vitamin C.
30. Cherries
It’s a list of fruits that start with C; of course, cherries are a part! There are a lot of different types of cherries that come from a lot of different places. But the cherries that you get from your local store are native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia. These reddish-maroon, smooth-skinned little fruits are super flavorful and extremely versatile. They can be sweet or sour, soft or tough. People munch on them fresh, bake them into amazing pies, or make delicious preserves. Cherries come loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C. There are also good amounts of fiber and potassium.
31. Cherry Plum
When cherries and plums join forces, you get cherry plums! These are small and oval fruits that are orange or red. They’re juicy and tangy like cherries but have slightly acidic skin, like plums. Cherry plums have green apple and lemon notes. You can eat them fresh or cooked. The fruit is excellent for jams, jellies, and pies. Cherry plums contain a high concentration of vitamin C and potassium. They also have phytonutrients.
32. Chico Fruit
Chicos are one of Central America and southern Mexico’s sweetest and cutest brown fruits. They are oval-shaped fruits with rough skin and light brown flesh. The flesh houses a few bean-shaped black seeds. The seeds are edible, but people leave them because they are too fibrous and tough. The chico fruit is soft and delicious and has a slight crunch. Peel the skin and serve the fruit chilled for a delightful snack, or blend a peeled and pitted chico with milk and some sugar to make a flavorful shake. Chicos are rich in dietary fiber and contain some vitamins and minerals.
33. Chocolate-Fruit
Do you love chocolate pudding? If you do, you’ll go crazy for this fruit. Chocolate fruit, or black sapote, is native to Mexico and a few parts of Australia. The inedible olive green to deep yellowish-green outer layer protects a deliciously edible pulp that tastes like chocolate pudding. Yummy! It’s so good you’d want to pluck it from the tree and eat it fresh immediately. That’s the best way to eat a black sapote; the fruit dries out too quickly once peeled. What most people love about this sweet fruit is how it can replace bananas in baking recipes. It also emulsifies like a dream, making it perfect for making ice creams and sorbet. The chocolate fruit has a lot of vitamin C, even more than an orange.
34. Chokeberry
North America is home to many C fruits, and chokeberries are one of them. These small and tart berries have black skin that’s overwhelmingly sour. On the inside, the flesh exhibits a bright reddish-purple hue rich in fiber and antioxidants. Chokeberries work well when cooked with sugar to make jams, jellies, syrups, and juices. Some even make wine and energizing drinks with this tart fruit. If you enjoy sour fruits, pop a fresh chokeberry into your mouth and let the tangy juices take you on an adventure! The berries are rich in antioxidants and fiber.
35. Chokecherry
Chokecherries, like their chokeberry cousins, are from North America, too. They are round, small, and astringent with dark red or black skin. Their flesh is bitter and holds a large seed. The fruit is so tart that people don’t dare eat it raw. Instead, they cook it with sweeteners and spices to make delicious jelly or syrup. Chokecherries also make incredible fruit roll-ups. This fruit is a powerhouse of antioxidants.
36. Citron
Citrons are large citrus fruits native to India and certain parts of the Himalayas. They are more like lemons than oranges – big, yellow with a bumpy skin that’s thick and fragrant. Citrons have a low juice content but an excellent pulp-to-rind ratio. People zest the rind instead of juicing it, as citron zest is more potent than lemon zest. The pulp is also edible, but it’s not as juicy or tart as lemons. Citrons make for great candied fruit and marmalade. They are incredibly rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
37. Citrofortunella
The powerful duo of citrus and kumquat makes citrofortunella. This orange and zesty fruit is called calamondin and comes from the Philippines. The fruit looks less like oranges and more like limes and lemons. Their skin is thin and smooth but also sweet, making the fruit easy to eat raw. You can eat the entire fruit, skin included! Most people make a zesty jam with this fruit or use its juice in marinades. It works well as a salad dressing, too! Citrofortunella is rich in vitamin C and various antioxidants.
38. Clementine
Picture a tiny orange with smooth and glossy orange-colored peel, light orange and juicy slices, and seedless pulp – that’s clementine! This fruit is a breeze to peel, making it a perfect snack for kids and adults alike. Since clementines are way less acidic than oranges, they work great in juice blends. Clementines are rich in vitamin C and potassium.
39. Cloudberry
Cloudberries are the vibrant, orange-yellow version of raspberries. These bite-sized goodies start red and tone down into stunning shades of orange. They are soft and tart, perfect for turning into jams, jellies, and juices. People also make liqueurs and syrups with cloudberries. Swedish people also use cloudberry jam as a drizzle over pancakes, waffles, and ice cream. Cloudberries are not only tasty and versatile but also pack a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants.
40. Cluster Fig
Cluster fig is another fruit that starts with the letter C. It grows in Australia, Malaysia, and India. This fruit has a small, round shape with orange-yellow skin. Beneath the skin, the fruit has a soft and tender flesh that can be pale white or yellow. It’s also sticky and has a cavity in the center that holds grain-like seeds. These seeds are what give the fruit its crunchy texture. Cluster figs are also very fragrant. They smell like spiced apples. This C fruit’s sweet and slightly tangy flavor profile is ideal for soups and curries. People use mature cluster figs (they are sweeter) to make jams and jellies. Some even fry the flesh to serve as a snack with tea. Cluster figs have a high calcium content.
41. Cocky Apple
Our next C fruit is a green, oblong, and smooth-skinned cocky apple. The fruit is fibrous and yellow and has a creamy avocado-like texture with a sweet flavor profile. Cocky apples are enjoyed fresh and when they are still green. If you’re getting one, ensure it’s soft to the touch. Besides munching on it out of hand, you can use it to make smoothies or layer the soft flesh on toast for a delicious breakfast. The fruit is full of dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C.
42. Coconut
Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut palm tree, native to tropical areas like Africa, Asia, and South America. They are brown and oddly shaped with a hard exterior that hides white flesh. Coconuts come in two types – young coconuts have soft meat and lots of sweet water inside, while mature coconuts contain firm meat that’s dry enough to be grated into coconut flakes or pressed for milk. Coconut is a staple ingredient in many cuisines. It’s added to curries, stews, baked goods, and beverages. Coconut is rich in healthy fats, protein, and fiber.
43. Coco De Mer
Coco de Mer, also known as the sea coconut or double coconut, is a rare and exotic fruit native to the Seychelles islands in the Indian Ocean. It is one of the largest and heaviest fruits in the world, weighing up to 30 kg! The outer shell of this fruit is hard and brown, resembling a large coconut. Inside, it has a big, round seed surrounded by a gelatinous pulp. If harvested early, sea coconuts have a milky jelly in the center that’s delicious and sweet with slight citrusy notes. This fruit is nutrient-dense, bringing a lot of vitamins and minerals to your menu.
44. Coco Plum
Say hello to the ever so delicious and sweet coco plums. These tropical delights hail from Africa, America, and the Caribbean. Coco plums are a treat for the eyes. They are small and round and come in vibrant red, white, blue, and yellow shades. The skin is smooth but has a thick layer of white cotton-soft pulp inside. Ripe coco plums are sweet and juicy with a slight tanginess that makes them perfect for eating fresh or turning into sauces, jams, and preserves.
45. Coffeeberry
Coffeeberry is a coffee fruit that’s also called coffee cherry. It’s a cute little round fruit, just about the size of a grape, hanging out in bunches on the coffee plant. When it’s raw, it’s green, but as it ripens, it becomes deep red, reddish-purple, or yellowish-red. This unique C fruit is sweet, refreshing, and fruity, emanating fragrances like jasmine, hibiscus, or rosewater. If you’ve come across the fruit and left it alone, assuming it’s high in caffeine content, then it’s time to go back! Instead, it tastes similar to a mix of cherries and peaches.
46. Coffee Fruit
Coffee Fruit, also known as cascara, is the whole fruit of the coffee plant. The outer layer, the coffee cherry, is used to make a tasty coffee cherry tea. The inner seeds, known as coffee beans, are roasted and ground to make the beloved beverage we all are crazy about – coffee! The coffee fruit is a superfood, containing antioxidants, vitamin B2, and magnesium.
47. Colonnade ‘Maypole’ Apple
Colonnade Maypole apples grow on a unique apple tree that’s columnar. But the apples maintain a round-conical shape. They have red, yellow-green skin that creates a beautiful striped pattern. On the inside, these fruits have sweet and juicy, reddish-pink flesh. These medium-sized apples taste like all other apples – sweet and tart. You can use Colonnade Maypole apples in the same way you would use any other apple, including eating fresh, making pies or crisps, and juicing. Apples are rich in antioxidants and dietary fiber.
48. Common Apple Berry
The common apple berry is an Australian fruit that isn’t common. But if you find one, you’re in for a treat! The fruit has a unique and elongated kiwi-like exterior with green to purple fuzzy skin. Common apple berries are astringent and come close to tasting like stewed apple or kiwifruit. You can eat them raw or cooked; they make an excellent addition to fruit salads and jams.
49. Conkerberry
Conkerberries are little oval-shaped berries from Australia. They are green when unripe and purple to black when ripe. Inside their glossy skin is a sweet, grape-like pulp that can be enjoyed raw. Conkerberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and antioxidants. However, their low-carb profile makes them special and extremely valued among weight-watchers. If you’re following a Keto diet, here’s another snack for those long work hours.
50. Cornelian Cherry
Cornelian cherries, or Cornus mas fruits, grow on the cornelian cherry tree. They are small and dogwood-like, with a bright red exterior when ripe. They have a tart and tangy flavor profile that makes them perfect for jams, sauces, chutneys, and even making wine! In Turkey and Iran, they make a deliciously sweet and sour drink. Cornelian cherries are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
51. Crab Apple
Crab apples are the cutest, tiniest apples. They are so small, they look like cherries. Crab apples are initially green but they mature into a light yellow hue. They are not the most appetizing to eat out of hand because they taste bitter and acidic. However, when cooked with sugar, crab apples make fantastic sauces and jams that go well with meats and cheeses. Don’t let their size fool you; crab apples contain nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and fiber.
52. Craisin
Craisins are dried cranberries, a delicious and nutritious snack option. They are the same shape as raisins but bright red instead of brown. Craisins pack fresh cranberries’ health benefits, like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, into a convenient grab-and-go snack. You can add them to salads or yogurt, bake them into muffins and bread, or enjoy them as is.
53. Crowberry
Crowberries are from the cold climates of Europe, Asia, and North America. These small berries look exotic with their bright purple-to-black color and smooth skin. Crowberries contain good amounts of tannins, which means they are highly acidic and slightly bitter – not ideal for eating raw. But when these berries are cooked to make jams, jellies, and other sweets, you can’t turn them down! Crowberries are also popular in the wine-making process due to their tart flavor.
54. Cucumber
Cucumbers are long and green fruits that belong to the same family as melons, squash, and pumpkins. They are native to South Asia but are now cultivated in several other parts of the world. Cucumbers have thick, smooth skin with a good amount of water inside. If you scoop out the seeds from inside cucumbers, they become perfect for stuffing! You can also cut them into slices or batons and add them to salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Cucumbers are a great source of hydration as they contain 95% water. They also have vitamin K and potassium.
55. Cranberry
Cranberries are perfect if you’re looking for a tart, tangy fruit to add to your breakfast cereal or oatmeal! These small and red berries are native to North America. They grow on small shrubs that thrive in acidic soil. Cranberries have a sweet but sour taste. Most people consume dried or cooked with sugar to offset the pucker-inducing sourness. They are also used to make juices, cocktails, and flavored desserts. Cranberries are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
56. Cumquat
Southeast China brings us olive-sized, orange-like fruits that ooze with flavor. Cumquats aren’t round like olives and oranges, though. They are more on the oblong side. Their skin is sweet and houses a sweet and tart wedge-shaped pulp full of juice. People use ripe cumquats to make marmalades, chutneys, and dips. You can also eat them fresh if you don’t mind the seeds. Cumquats are a rich source of vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber.
57. Cupuacu
South America’s Amazon basin is blessed with a chocolate-flavored fruit called cupuacu. This fruit is as big as a melon and has a brown outer layer similar to a coconut. Inside the fruit, you’ll find a creamy white pulp with the world’s attention. This pulp is sweet with a tangy edge and has notes of melons and pineapples. People add it to smoothies and ice cream or use it as a base for truffles, mousses, and cakes. Cupuacu is rich in antioxidants, healthy fats (theobromine), and energy-boosting nutrients.
58. Currants
Currants are small, dark, and plump berries in three colors – red, black, and white. They all have their distinct flavor profiles. Red currants are tart and tangy, while the black ones have an earthy sweetness. White currants taste similar to grapes and have a floral aftertaste. These tiny fruits are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They are used to make jellies, jams, baked goods, and sauces. Some people also add them to savory dishes, like curries and stews.
Final Thoughts
Who could have thought there were so many delicious and nutritious fruits that start with the letter ‘C’? Each one is unique and flavorful, from exotic berries to familiar favorites like cucumbers.
Did you find some cool and unique fruits on this list that start with C? Which ones are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments!
More Fruits From A to Z!
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