This list of 31 fruits that start with H contains everyone’s favorites, like Honeydew and Honeycrisp apples, as well as lesser-known fruits, like Haruka and Hyuganatsu.
From cocktails and cakes to salads and sauces, fruits can quickly enter any dish. They are deliciously versatile and bring many health benefits to the table. So, it only makes sense that we know about as many fruits as possible. Who wants to miss out on a flavorful, fruity culinary experience?
For this reason, I’ve compiled a list of fruits starting with H. If you’ve been following my blog, you know this post is a part of my fruit series, where I cover fruits starting with different alphabet letters. So far, I’ve covered fruits that begin with A, those that start with D, those that start with G, and a few more.
These fruits don’t just have exciting names but also pack a punch when it comes to flavor and nutrients. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the world of fruity goodness and learn a few more names of fruits that start with H.
Jump to:
- 31 Fruits That Start with H
- 1. Hackberry
- 2. Hala Fruit
- 3. Hall Crabapple
- 4. Hairless Rambutan
- 5. Hardy Kiwi
- 6. Haruka
- 7. Hassaku Orange
- 8. Hawaiian Mountain Apple
- 9. Hawaiian Raspberry
- 10. Hawthorn Fruit
- 11. Hazelnut
- 12. Heirloom Tomato
- 13. Highbush Blueberry
- 14. Highbush Cranberry
- 15. Himalayan Bird Cherry
- 16. Himalayan Mulberry
- 17. Hog Plum
- 18. Hokkaido Bird Cherry
- 19. Hollyleaf Cherry
- 20. Honeydew Melon
- 21. Honeycrisp Apple
- 22. Honeyberry
- 23. Honeysuckle
- 24. Honey Locust
- 25. Horned Melon
- 26. Hortulan Plum
- 27. Hottentot Fig
- 28. Huckleberry
- 29. Huito
- 30. Hydnora Africana
- 31. Hyuganatsu
- Final Thoughts
- Resources
- More Fruits From A to Z!
31 Fruits That Start with H
Fruit lovers who enjoy snacking on Nature’s candy will love this comprehensive list of 31 delicious fruits beginning with H. This list has a bit of everything, from sweet to tangy. I’ve also highlighted how each looks so you know what you’re looking at when you spot one at a farmer’s market. If you enjoy adding fruits to your recipes, you’ll also find a description of the taste and texture of each H fruit to make your life easier.
Ready to expand your knowledge of fruits beginning with H? Get ready for a fruity ride!
1. Hackberry
Hackberries are native to North America, where they grow on tall trees. Most people don’t know about these sweet, juicy berries since they are hard to pick (unless you can climb trees like a champ). But if you try one, there’s no going back.
These pea-sized berries are also called sugarberries, beaverwoods, and nettletrees. They have beautiful, bright, reddish-purple skin that houses a nutty and sweet flesh.
You can eat them fresh, add them to cereals and trail mixes, or cook them into jams, jellies, and sauces. They also shine in a variety of baked goods.
If that wasn’t enough, hackberries are packed with essential nutrients like protein and vitamins.
2. Hala Fruit
Hala fruit is a tropical delight from regions like Florida, Southeast Asia, Hawaii, and other Pacific islands. The fruit has multiple wedge-shaped long sections on the outside that can range in color from pale green to bright orange.
If you’ve ever tried a ripe jackfruit or enjoyed a combination of pineapples and mangoes sweetened with fresh sugar cane juice, you know what the Hala fruit tastes like.
Its mildly sweet flavor works wonders in juices, syrups, and desserts. In Hawaii, the fruit regularly appears in Kanaka Punch (a fruity Hawaiian punch).
Get ready to shell a pretty penny for this fruit. And if you get your hands on one, don’t wait for it to get too ripe – you might be unable to stand the unpleasant stench it develops over time.
3. Hall Crabapple
China grows miniature versions of everyone’s favorite apples, called hall crabapples. Some even call them halliana crabapples. These tiny apples only get as big as 0.5 to 2 inches in diameter and flaunt beautiful shades of reddish-orange and purple. On the inside, hall crabapples are white and juicy.
If you bite into this small fruit fresh, you’re in for a sour taste and tangy ride. But if you add them to your baked goods or sweeten them to make jams and jellies, they taste heavenly.
Hall crabapples are jampacked with polyphenols, pectin, and a lot of soluble fiber. They are great for your body.
4. Hairless Rambutan
Hairless rambutan comes from the lands of Malaysia and Indonesia. They earn their name due to the absence of hair-like spikes the usual rambutan variety has. Hairless rambutans are the size of a 10-cent coin with a lychee-like reddish-pink exterior. As for their thin flesh, it tastes a lot like rambutans.
Most people enjoy these sweet and slightly acidic fruits fresh. But they also taste great in fruity cocktails if you add them to your fruit bowl with grapes, apples, and bananas.
Hairless rambutans are an excellent source of vitamin C, essential minerals, and fiber.
5. Hardy Kiwi
The hardy kiwi fruit grows in the cold climates of Korea, China, and Japan. They also go by the name kiwiberry. They earn the title “hardy” for withstanding the harsh conditions of their native lands. Hardy kiwis are about the size of a grape tomato and flaunt beautiful, smooth brown skin. It’s nothing like the fuzzy one you see on your regular kiwis. Do you know what that means? You can eat the fruit without peeling it – yum!
When you bite into one, the green flesh has a refreshingly zesty taste, like a mix of kiwi and strawberry. These fruits make excellent snacks to satisfy your sweet tooth without any guilt. You can also add them to salads or make delicious smoothies. Regardless of how you enjoy them, hardy kiwis will load you up with a ton of vitamin C.
6. Haruka
Haruka is Southern Japan’s citrus fruit that looks like a lemon but is similar in size to an orange. These medium-sized, oblate, yellow fruits have a thick and smooth rind on the outside. When you cut open the fruit, you’ll see a dense and spongy layer of white pith surrounding a pale yellow flesh. The pith is chewy and perfectly edible.
Don’t let the lemon-like appearance of Haruka fool you into taking it for a tangy fruit. It is sweet and juicy with only a little bit of tartness. Eat them fresh for a lovely and citrusy vibe, or use them to flavor your desserts. The fruit is also pleasantly fragrant, making it an excellent addition to cocktails and mocktails.
Haruka is a good source of vitamins A and C.
7. Hassaku Orange
Hassaku oranges come from Japan. They are medium-sized oranges with an oblate body that slightly flattens at the bottom and the top. The rough and pebbled rind of these citrusy fruits is orange-yellow with pale orange flesh on the inside. The flesh is divided into segments and houses a few cream-colored seeds.
Hassaku oranges are tricky to peel, but once you get through the spongy pith, you’re in for a fragrant and flavorful treat. This citrus fruit smells sweet and has a well-balanced, tangy flavor profile. As you can tell, they make for a great snack and a refreshing juice. You can add them to your fruit salads, use them as garnishes, or candy the peel!
Regarding nutrients, hassaku oranges are rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, folic acid, and potassium.
8. Hawaiian Mountain Apple
Hawaiian mountain apples are a popular Hawaiian fruit with roots in Malaysia. They don’t look like your regular, round apples. They are more on the spherical, oblong side and boast a smooth, shiny outer layer that transforms into shades of pink and deep red with age. Inside, these tropical fruits have a white, crisp pulp that’s juicy and mildly sweet with slight hints of tang.
You can eat fresh Hawaiian mountain apples or add them to your salad, jams, and jellies like the Hawaiians. You can also pickle them to enjoy their unique flavor.
This fruit is loaded with vitamin C and is also known as Malay apple or rose apple (in case you go hunting for them).
9. Hawaiian Raspberry
Hawaiian raspberries are next on this list of fruits that start with H. These small, red-colored berries are so delicate and pretty you wouldn’t want to eat them. But if you do, you’ll have a chin-dripping experience. These berries are incredibly juicy. However, when it comes to flavor, they don’t match the sweetness of your store-bought raspberries.
Hawaiian raspberries, or ʻĀkala berries, as Hawaiians call them, are chunky and grainy. They are served over shaved ice, in salads or fruit bowls, or just as a snack. They taste great with cream, too!
Aside from being delicious, Hawaiian raspberries are rich in antioxidants, essential vitamins, and minerals.
10. Hawthorn Fruit
The Hawthorn fruit is a cute little fruit native to the temperate areas of Asia, Europe, and North America. This small, round fruit has a stunning red hue when ripe and grows in clusters on the thorny branches of the Hawthorn trees – hence the name.
Haws are tart and tangy berries that make some mouthwatering jelly. They are also a common ingredient in pie and sauce recipes. Some people also use them to make wine and schnapps. Interestingly, hawthorn berries are often used as a replacement for ketchup!
Hawthorn berries bring a whole lot of amino acids to your diet. They are also packed with vitamins A, C, B1, and B2. I guess I know why people use them as a sub for ketchup.
11. Hazelnut
Yep, hazelnut is a fruit. It’s grown in the UK, USA, Italy, Greece, Spain, and Turkey. The nuts have a brown, hard shell outside that is irregular, round. Inside that shell is a buttery, crunchy meat that’s slightly sweet.
Hazelnuts are munched on as snacks, used in salads and desserts as a topping for that extra crunch, or ground into a paste to add to sauces and chocolate spreads.
This fruit is rich in omega-6 and omega-9 and a good source of vitamin B6, zinc, and folate. Nutella, anyone?
12. Heirloom Tomato
Heirloom tomatoes are the real deal—the purest strains of tomatoes dating back to the 1950s, when Aztecs grew them in Mexico and Central America. Humans haven’t modified these tomatoes to produce a particular shape, size, and color, which is why you’ll spot them in a whirlwind of colors, ranging from green and pale yellow to vibrant orange and deep red. They can also be purple or chocolate brown.
Heirloom tomatoes also vary in size and shape. Some can be small and smooth; others can be large, lopsided, and bumpy. Regardless of how they look on the outside, on the inside, they all have dark red flesh.
Heirloom tomatoes’ sweet and refreshing taste is perfect for salads, salsas, and sauces. Some also layer them in sandwiches.
13. Highbush Blueberry
North America grows three types of berries, and highbush blueberries are one of them. These are the blueberries you get from the store.
These small, round, and blue fruits grow in clusters. Taste-wise, they are sweet and juicy with a light green to white flesh. Blueberries are impressively versatile. Use them to make syrups, jellies, and jams, or pair them with savory ingredients like cheese. If you’re in the mood for a breakfast smoothie, blend blueberries with bananas and yogurt, top it with chia seeds, chill, and sip! Delicious!
Although tiny, highbush blueberries boast a lot of nutritional goodness. They are rich in antioxidants, dietary fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. Plus, their low-calorie count makes them a great addition to any diet.
14. Highbush Cranberry
Highbush cranberries, like lowbush cranberries, are native to North America. They have the same round and small appearance, look just as bright red on the outside, and even taste like the regular cranberries – tart and acidic.
You might think they’re related to regular cranberries, but surprise – they’re not! Highbush cranberries belong to the honeysuckle family. Who knew?
Cranberry lovers use these tart fruits in cocktails, sauces, and relishes. They’re also made into jams, jellies, and pies. Some people even make herbal teas and tinctures out of them.
Highbush cranberries are high in vitamin C and rich in antioxidants, making them a great addition to any diet.
15. Himalayan Bird Cherry
Himalayan bird cherries grow on 18-meter-tall trees in the foothills of the Himalayas. These round berries start their journey with smooth, red skin that matures into purplish-black with time. The flesh holds an ample edible seed on the inside. You can enjoy them raw or cooked. Be careful, though. If they’re too bitter, throw them out.
Himalayan bird cherries are tart and acidic. Therefore, people prefer sweetening them with sugar and using them in pies, jams, and syrups. You can also use them to infuse your tea or make a unique jelly.
16. Himalayan Mulberry
Himalayan mulberry trees are 40-foot tall, deciduous trees with unique heart-shaped leaves and juicy, long berries. Contradictory to their names, these trees aren’t native to the Himalayas. They’re from China, Japan, and Korea.
Mulberries, also called shahtoot in Persian, are deep purple, small but long berries. They are so sweet and tasty that you wouldn’t want to put them down! Mulberries are used in jams and syrups, desserts, and smoothies. You can also dry them to add to a trail mix or munch on them as a snack.
Mulberries are high in vitamins C, K, and E. They also hold a good amount of potassium and iron.
17. Hog Plum
The next H fruit on this list looks like an unripe mango; we call it the hog plum! The hog plum, or Yellow Mombin, have a challenging, spiky green exterior that conceals soft white flesh. It’s a sour fruit that tastes like a combination of pineapples and unripe mangoes. Nepalians use the fruit to make pickles, sour candies, and fruit tarts. But they also work in ice creams, smoothies, and jellies.
Hog plums are packed with beta-carotene and vitamin C. Their high antioxidant properties make them a great addition to your diet.
18. Hokkaido Bird Cherry
Hokkaido, or Japanese bird cherries, are grown on tall trees native to Japan and Sakhalin. These little, round cherries are smooth on the outside and wear purple-black skin.
These pea-sized cherries are edible but bitter. So, you can’t enjoy them as snacks. But if you want to use them in your juice and jam recipes, go for it.
Vitamin C is the biggest selling point of Hokkaido bird cherries. They are also high in antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties.
19. Hollyleaf Cherry
In the fertile lands of Western California, you’ll find hollyleaf cherries. These cherries come in shades ranging from vibrant red to deep bluish-black. As a rule of thumb, the darker the hue, the riper the fruit.
Hollyleaf cherries are edible. They have sweet outer skin and a fleshy pulp with a pit in the center. However, there isn’t too much pulp in the fruit, mostly stone. That’s why these cherries are more of a hit with our feathered friends than with us humans.
20. Honeydew Melon
Honeydew melon is a summer delight loved worldwide for its sweet and refreshing flavor. This fruit is a real crowd-pleaser with its large, round shape and pale green skin that turns to a light yellow hue as it ripens. Slice it open to reveal the light green, incredibly juicy flesh inside. It’s no wonder honeydew melons are a go-to treat during the hot summer months, and for many, they’re a must-have for breakfast.
But there’s more to honeydew melons than just their delicious taste. Thanks to their high water content, they’re packed with hydration. Plus, they’re low in calories and contain essential nutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and folate. Whether you enjoy them in fruit salads, blended into smoothies, or simply as a refreshing snack, honeydew melons will surely hit the spot!
21. Honeycrisp Apple
There are hundreds of apple varieties, and one of the most popular is the Honeycrisp. Honeycrisp apples, or Honeycrunch apples as they are known in Europe, are medium-sized fruits grown around the globe. They have a yellow background with a rich red flush that flaunts occasional pink hints. These apples are sweet, juicy, and crisp—just like everyone expects them to be. The best part? They stick around for about seven months in a row—great shelf life there!
Honeycrisp apples can be sliced and eaten for breakfast or snack, cooked into pies and crumbles, or even juiced for a cup of fresh apple juice. No matter how you have them, these apples will offer you all the benefits of an average apple plus more!
22. Honeyberry
Honeyberry, or blue honeysuckle, grows in the chilly areas of Asia, Europe, and North America. These tube-shaped, small berries are blueish purple on the outside and taste like a combination of black currant and raspberry.
Like all the other berries, honeyberries can be eaten fresh or added to recipes for a delightful, fruity twist. They also work great in jams, jellies, and syrups. You can liquidate them to make a tasty sauce or throw a few in your morning smoothie. Honeyberries are rich in vitamins A, C, and E and are known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
23. Honeysuckle
Honeysuckles are little berries from the northern regions of Eurasia and North America. They come in a few different colors, but most are red and black. There are about 180 different types of honeysuckles. Some can be toxic, so don’t just pop any honeysuckle berry in your mouth!
The edible varieties of honeysuckles have a sweet but tangy flavor. They make great additions to fruit salads, lemonades, and ice creams. Plus, they’re chock full of vitamin C and antioxidants. You can eat them without any guilt!
24. Honey Locust
Honey locusts are small, honey-flavored, sticky fruits that grow in pea pod-like brown structures on tall trees. They’re native to America and most commonly grown in Eastern Texas and Pennsylvania.
Honey locusts are best enjoyed fresh. But there’s more you can do with the fruit. For instance, honey locust gum can be a natural sweetener in teas and baked goods. You can also make a delicious jam or syrup using the fruit.
25. Horned Melon
Okay, this is one exciting fruit. I’d go as far as to say it looks like it belongs to the aliens. Horned melons, or Kiwano melons, are from Africa. These eye-catching fruits have orange, spiky skin, lime-green, gelatinous flesh, and many edible seeds. Those who’ve tried horned melons taste similar to a mix of bananas, lemons, and cucumbers.
Horned lemons are best enjoyed fresh. Just slice the fruit and scoop out that delicious jelly-like pulp with a spoon. But if you want to get creative, you can try making a horned melon smoothie, sorbet, or salsa.
Some even garnish their cocktails with this cool-looking fruit. After all, it’s about the appearance.
26. Hortulan Plum
Hortulan plums are small—to medium-sized plums native to the Midwest regions of America. They are also called wild goose plums.
Hortulan plums have a shiny red (sometimes yellow) exterior and firm, juicy light-peach flesh. They taste sweet and pleasant, so enjoy them as snacks or add them to your favorite recipes. How about some plum wine, jam, or pie? That sounds good to me!
Hortulan plums are good for you, too. They are chock full of fiber that keeps your gut in good shape.
27. Hottentot Fig
Hottentot figs come from the seaside lands of South Africa. These fruits look like regular figs, with a green color and tiny seeds inside the fleshy, tasty center. However, Hottentot figs are much smaller than their regular counterparts.
These fruits have a sweet taste with a hint of saltiness, making them perfect for sweet and savory dishes. You can enjoy them fresh or add them to salads, salsas, and chutneys.
28. Huckleberry
Some more berries! Huckleberries are close cousins of blueberries. They are native to North America and are prevalent in the Northwest regions. These small, round berries are blackish-blue and taste like a mix of blue and raspberries.
Huckleberries are great for eating fresh. You can also add them to smoothie bowls, pancakes, and pies. Some even make huckleberry jam and syrup for a delicious topping.
These berries are rich in antioxidants and vitamins A, C, and E, making them a great addition to your diet.
29. Huito
Next, I have a leathery-skinned fruit that grows in the rainforests of Mexico, South America, and the Caribbean. The huito fruit, or genipap, is an oval-shaped, big-sized fruit. It’s initially green but matures into a deep purple, or sometimes black, color. Inside the skin is an acidic and juicy pulp, more used in art than food.
Huito pulp is dark blue (almost black), and artists use it as a natural dye. In some countries, the fruit is frozen and stored to prepare drinks or desserts like ice cream.
But beware! Huito has a robust flavor that can be overwhelming for some people. So, go easy on your first try!
30. Hydnora Africana
Here’s an underground berry that grows on a parasitic plant. I told you this list would be full of surprises! Hydnora Africana is native to South Africa and has a peculiar appearance. It’s shaped like a potato, with a rough exterior covered in tiny hairs. Inside, it has soft flesh and lots of edible seeds. By lots, I mean about 20,000 pinhead-like seeds. The pulp is sweet and starchy, giving potato vibes.
Although the fruit is edible, it’s tough to find one. It grows underground and is often foraged by animals, making it a rare find. But if you find some Hydnora Africana, you can cook them in stews or roast them as a potato substitute.
31. Hyuganatsu
Let’s end this list of fruits with a citrusy delight from Japan. Hyugnastu is a yellow fruit with thick skin. Inside, the fruit has a segmented, translucent flesh resembling a cross between an orange and a grapefruit. It’s juicy, sweet, and tangy all at the same time!
The best way to enjoy Hyuganatsu is by slicing it up and eating it fresh. But you can also use the fruit in salads, sorbets, or as a garnish for cocktails. Some even make jam or marmalade out of this unique fruit. The highlight, however, is the vitamin C-loaded juice that’s perfect for a refreshing drink.
Final Thoughts
This list of fruits that start with H has something from around the world. Some are juicy and tangy, while others are chewy and sweet. If you have a recipe that can use the magic of these naturally flavored, edible delights, try them. That’s how you create delicious memories, one fruit at a time!
If you’ve found your new favorite H fruit here, please let me know in the comments. Also, stay updated for more lists. As long as the alphabet allows, I will bring the fruits to you. Happy fruit hunting!
Resources
More Fruits From A to Z!
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