Fruits are nature’s sweet treats—bursting with flavors that range from sugary sweet to delightfully tart and even luxuriously creamy. With so many fruits to experience, we’re going through each letter of the alphabet. Today, we’re exploring 29 fruits that start with L!
Beyond the familiar favorites like juicy strawberries and crisp apples lies a world brimming with unknown delicious fruits.
This is why, today, we’ll spotlight a letter often overlooked in the fruit lexicon: “L.”
I promise you a treasure trove of tastes you’ve never tried, textures you’ve never touched, and stories you’ve never heard. Without further ado, let’s explore the yummy fruits that start with L!
Jump to:
- 29 Fruits That Start With L
- 1. Lablab Fruit
- 2. Lancetilla Mango
- 3. Langra Mango
- 4. Langsat
- 5. Le Conte Pear
- 6. Lebanese Wild Apple
- 7. Lemon
- 8. Lemon Aspen Fruit
- 9. Lemon Drop Mangosteen
- 10. Lemon Drop Melon
- 11. Lemonade Berry
- 12. Liberty Apple
- 13. Lilly Pilly
- 14. Lime
- 15. Limeberry
- 16. Limequat
- 17. Lingonberry
- 18. Little Gooseberry
- 19. Loganberry
- 20. Long‑Peduncled Almond
- 21. Longan
- 22. Loquat
- 23. Lovi-Lovi
- 24. Low Juneberry
- 25. Low Serviceberry
- 26. Lúcuma
- 27. Lulo
- 28. Luóhàn Guǒ
- 29. Lychee
- Final Thoughts
- Resources
- More Fruits From A to Z!
29 Fruits That Start With L
From the lush, tangy twist of lemons to the sweet, exotic lure of lychees, “L” is your ticket to the ultimate fruit fest. So let’s dig in and find some fabulous fruits that start with L to make your world more colorful.
1. Lablab Fruit
Meet the Lablab fruit, a real globetrotter originally from Africa. This fruit is a bean. But before you think it’s just another bean, let me tell you, it’s pretty special. The Lablab bean looks like a glossy, purple jewel. Sometimes, you might find them in white or black, making them a feast for the eyes and the plate.
Raw, this fruit is not your friend because they’re toxic. But cook them up, and it’s a whole different story. They transform into something soft, with a flavor that’s nutty and slightly sweet.
2. Lancetilla Mango
The Lancetilla Mango hails from Honduras, and it’s not just any mango. It’s big, really big, often weighing more than a pound. When ripe, its skin turns a stunning deep red, making it a looker. Inside, the flesh is vibrant yellow-orange. It’s a super juicy mango, that is practically fiber-free, meaning no annoying strings will get stuck between your teeth.
Taste-wise, the Lancetilla Mango is a sweet treat with a hint of tartness, striking the balance that makes your taste buds sing.
It’s like taking a bite out of a tropical summer day. It’s sweet enough to enjoy on its own but also great in smoothies or mango salsa.
3. Langra Mango
The Langra mango is a real treat from India, specifically from the Varanasi region of Pakistan. This mango has green skin even when it’s ripe and ready to eat. So, please don’t wait for it to turn yellow; that’s not happening.
When you bite, expect sweet and tangy flavors that blend perfectly. The flesh is fiber-free, so it’s super smooth, and you’re in for a juicy experience.
It’s like the mango was made for straight-up eating, no strings attached. The Langra mango usually shows up during the mid to late summer, making it a seasonal star.
4. Langsat
Langsat, or Lansium parasiticum if you want to get technical, is a tiny fruit with a big flavor from Southeast Asia. It can be found in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
These small, round fruits, are bunched together like grapes, but with a thin, yellow skin that’s easy to peel. Inside, you’ve got these translucent segments, like an orange.
When you bite into a langsat, prepare for a burst of sweet and sour that dances on your tongue. The taste is a blend of grapefruit and pineapple but with a twist.
It’s juicy and has a slightly bitter aftertaste, so it’s often eaten with a sprinkle of salt to balance the flavors.
5. Le Conte Pear
The Le Conte pear has a backstory as intriguing as its taste. Hailing from the United States, this pear variety offers a juicy, smooth experience that’s hard to match.
Its buttery texture practically melts in your mouth, and its sweetness is balanced just right—not too sugary or bland.
Le Conte pears are a visual treat. They boast bright, sunny yellow skin when fully ripe, making them delightful.
Unlike other pears, they have a rounded, almost plump appearance that makes them stand out in any fruit bowl. They’re perfect for snacking on a warm day, adding to a crisp salad, or even baking into desserts.
6. Lebanese Wild Apple
The Lebanese Wild Apple is a hidden gem from the lush landscapes of Lebanon. It’s smaller than the average apple and has a rustic charm that captures the essence of wild orchards.
Its skin, a mix of red and green, wraps around crisp, tangy flesh that’s a refreshing change from the sweeter cultivated varieties.
Taste-wise, it’s somewhere between tart and sweet, with a hint of wildness that takes you straight to the heart of Lebanese nature.
7. Lemon
The most used and loved fruit that starts with L, is of course the lemon. Lemons are like the zesty, spirited cheerleaders of the fruit world, coming to us primarily from sunny regions like Italy, Spain, and California.
This bright yellow, oval-shaped fruit has a textured, slightly glossy skin. It has a tangy, sour punchy flavor when you bite or squeeze its juice.
As we all know, the taste is the sharpest, most refreshing wake-up call your taste buds could get. It’s this bold, acidic flavor that makes lemons a kitchen staple. They are great for adding a kick to your water, brightening your salads, or being the secret zing in your marinades. It’s an excellent source of vitamin C, and has numerous health benefits.
8. Lemon Aspen Fruit
The Lemon Aspen fruit is Australia’s gift, popping straight out of the country’s lush rainforests. Its zesty flavor is a mix of a lemon’s tanginess, with a hint of grapefruit. This fruit looks as interesting as it sounds. It’s small, pale yellow globes, look almost like miniature lemons.
A Lemon Aspen offers a citrusy freshness that can wake up any dish. Whether it’s jazzing up a dessert, giving a sauce some extra kick, or being enjoyed on its own, the Lemon Aspen is versatile.
9. Lemon Drop Mangosteen
The Lemon Drop Mangosteen is a tropical treat making waves in the fruit world. Unlike its larger cousin, the purple mangosteen, this fruit is small, about the size of a cherry, and has tangy and sweet flavors. It’s a mix of zesty lemon and juicy lychee.
This fruit has a smooth, hard shell that’s vibrant yellow, hinting at the citrusy surprise inside. Crack it open, and you’ll find translucent, juicy flesh ready to fascinate your taste buds.
Originally from Southeast Asia, this fruit is a bit of an adventurer, finding its way into gardens and markets worldwide.
10. Lemon Drop Melon
The Lemon Drop Melon, not to be confused with its candy namesake, is a refreshing surprise from the melon family. This melon is characterized by its bright, yellow exterior, which resembles a sun-kissed lemon but is much sweeter than its citrus counterpart.
Opening a Lemon Drop Melon reveals a pale, almost creamy, juicy interior packed with a crisp texture. Its taste has the sweetness of a honeydew with a slight, refreshing zing reminiscent of a lemon but without the sour pucker.
11. Lemonade Berry
Native to the coastal regions of California, the Lemonade Berry brings a unique twist to the berry family. This shrub is dotted with clusters of these reddish-pink berries, each looking like a tiny, natural jewel against the green foliage.
The lemonade berry is tart, with a zesty flavor that closely mimics a freshly squeezed lemon.
The taste is sweet and sour, while its texture is juicy and refreshing, with a slight chewiness to the skin. While you might not find Lemonade Berries in your local supermarket, they’re cherished among foragers and nature lovers. They taste amazing when made into jams, jellies, and sauces.
12. Liberty Apple
The Liberty Apple is part of the wide range variety of apples. Originating from New York, it’s a relatively modern addition to the Apple family, but boy, does it make an entrance.
Wrapped in vibrant red skin with occasional green streaks, it’s as much a treat for the eyes as for the taste buds.
When you bite this apple, expect a blend of sweet and tart flavors to dance across your palate. The Liberty Apple has a firm, crunchy texture that’s nice for snacking straight off the tree.
13. Lilly Pilly
The Lilly Pilly fruit is from Australia and grows abundantly in the wild. These small, round berries come in various colors, from pale pink to deep magenta, sometimes even with a hint of purple.
When you bite into a Lilly Pilly berry, you find a mix of sweet and tart flavors, like a cranberry but with a tropical flavor. Some say there’s a hint of cloves or pomegranate, making it a complex flavor that’s hard to pin down but delightful to explore.
14. Lime
Limes, these small but mighty citrus fruits, are like sunshine in every slice. Originating from Southeast Asia, they’ve traveled the world to become a staple in kitchens everywhere.
A lime is a bright green orb that sometimes turns yellow as it fully ripens. It is smooth on the outside and has a zesty aroma that hints at the tangy flavor hidden within.
Cut one open, and you’ll find juicy segments ready to add a splash of acidity to any dish or drink. Lime tastes bold and tart, with a hint of underlying sweetness that makes it irresistible.
The sour punch makes limes a favorite for cocktails, seasoning, and marinades, giving dishes a fresh, vibrant lift.
15. Limeberry
Limeberry, a tiny but mighty fruit, hails from the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. This fruit is small enough that you could pop a handful into your mouth, yet each one packs a punch of flavor.
Limeberries are vibrant red to deep ruby, making them a treat for the taste buds and a feast for the eyes.
Biting into a limeberry gives you a burst of tartness that mirrors the zesty tang of a lime, with a subtle sweetness.
16. Limequat
The Limequat is a curious little fruit, a hybrid between a lime and a kumquat. It’s tart like a lime, sweet like a kumquat.
Looking at a limequat, you’ll notice its small, oval shape, resembling a kumquat but with a hint of lime green to its skin. The skin is thin and edible, leading to a unique eating experience where the slightly sweet skin contrasts with the tart, juicy interior.
Taste-wise, it gives off a citrusy flavor, less sour than lime but with a noticeable tang that can brighten up dishes and drinks.
17. Lingonberry
Lingonberries, straight from the forests of Scandinavia and parts of North America, are nature’s tart little secrets.
These small, red berries pack a punch of flavor that blends sharp tartness with a slight sweetness, making them wildly popular, especially in Nordic cuisine.
Visually, lingonberries are quite the eye-catcher. They’re bright red, glossy, about pea size, and grow on low, evergreen shrubs.
18. Little Gooseberry
The Little Gooseberry might sound diminutive, but it’s a fruit that packs a flavorful punch. Originating from cool climates across Europe and North America, this berry is a close relative of the common gooseberry, yet it holds a distinct charm.
Little Gooseberries are small, translucent green orbs, sometimes with a blush of red, hanging delicately on the bush. They’re as pretty as they are tasty.
They burst with a sweet yet tart flavor that can surprise those new to it. The skin is slightly firm, giving way to a juicy interior full of tiny, edible seeds.
19. Loganberry
Born in the USA, the Loganberry is a cross between raspberries and blackberries, combining the best bits of both. When the juiciness of a blackberry is meshed with the tartness of a raspberry, we get a Loganberry.
In terms of looks, it’s long like a blackberry but sports a deep, reddish-purple hue that’s more raspberry-like.
They’re pretty sizable, too, making them a handful of deliciousness. When ripe, they’re soft to the touch and packed with juice. Taste-wise, loganberries hit that sweet spot with a tangy edge.
20. Long‑Peduncled Almond
Originating from the warmer climates of Southeast Asia, this fruit is quite a show-off with its elongated stem, or “peduncle,” which is quite a standout feature.
Unlike the almonds you might be used to, which are hidden away in shells and found in grocery aisles, the Long-peduncled Almond is encased in a tough outer shell that, once cracked open, reveals the edible almond we’re familiar with.
But before you get to the nut, there’s a fleshy outer layer that’s edible, too, albeit with a slightly bitter taste compared to the sweet, nutty flavor of the almond inside.
21. Longan
Longan, often dubbed the ‘Dragon Eye’ fruit for its striking resemblance to an eyeball when peeled, comes from the tropical reaches of Southeast Asia.
This round fruit has a thin, light brown skin that gives way to reveal translucent flesh encasing a shiny, black seed—the ‘pupil’ that completes the dragon eye illusion.
A longan is sweet with a subtle muskiness, somewhat reminiscent of a lychee. The flesh is succulent and refreshing, making it a perfect snack for hot days or a lovely addition to desserts and salads.
22. Loquat
Loquats are a bundle of sweetness and tang, originally from China. This fruit looks like a small, round apricot, but its skin is smooth. Its color ranges from yellow to orange, much like a sunrise in your hand.
Bite into it, and the flesh is juicy and succulent, packed with a perfect balance of sweetness and a slight tartness, similar to apricots and cherries.
Inside, the loquat houses large, brown seeds that take up a fair bit of space, but don’t let that deter you; the flavor is well worth the effort.
23. Lovi-Lovi
Such a fun name. The Lovi-Lovi is an exotic fruit originating from the tropical regions of Africa and Asia.
This small, round fruit might remind you of a bit of a cherry with its deep red-to-black skin. But that’s where the similarity ends because the Lovi-Lovi has a different taste profile.
Its flavor mixes sweet and sour flavors, like tamarind. The flesh is juicy and surrounds a large pit, so watch out for that.
24. Low Juneberry
The Low Juneberry is from North America, a fruit easily mistaken for a blueberry at first glance. Its deep purple, almost black skin catches the eye and tempts the taste buds with promises of sweet and slightly nutty flavors.
Its taste was between cherries and almonds, with a hint of sweetness that was just right, not overpowering. The flesh was soft and juicy, making it a refreshing treat on a warm day.
25. Low Serviceberry
The Low Serviceberry from North America is a delightful fruit that deserves more spotlight than it gets. Visually, it resembles blueberries, with its small size and deep blue to purplish hue.
This fruit has a sweet and slightly nutty flavor, with a hint of apple thrown into the mix. Growing on shrubs or small trees, the Low Serviceberry is a treat for the palate and a feast for the eyes, with its pretty white flowers in spring and colorful foliage in autumn.
26. Lúcuma
The lúcuma might not be the first fruit that comes to mind when you think of a tropical treat, but in South America, particularly Peru and Chile, it’s a superstar.
This fruit looks like an avocado, with a rough, green skin on the outside. But when you open it, you find a golden-yellow flesh that’s dry and sweet, much like a sweet potato or pumpkin.
The taste of lúcuma hints of maple and a touch of caramel, making it a favorite for desserts. But despite its rich, sweet flavor, lúcuma is not often eaten fresh due to its dry texture. Instead, it’s usually dried and powdered, becoming a nutritious sweetener.
27. Lulo
Lulo, also known as “Naranjilla” in some parts, is from the heart of South America and mainly thrives in Colombia and Ecuador.
At first glance, it might remind you of a small orange or tomato because of its size and color. But it has a thick green and slightly hairy skin, protecting the soft, juicy interior segmented like a tomato.
While eating a lulo, your taste buds are greeted with a zesty flavor that crosses between a lime and rhubarb. Despite its acidic punch, lulo is incredibly versatile and beloved in culinary creations for its ability to add a fresh, tropical flavor.
28. Luóhàn Guǒ
Luóhàn Guǒ, or Monk Fruit, is a fascinating fruit from the mountainous regions of southern China. This fruit is a blast of sweetness unlike anything you’ve tasted before. It is said to be hundreds of times sweeter than sugar, yet miraculously, it’s low in calories.
The exterior of Luóhàn Guǒ is a round shape and a surface covered in a fine, bumpy texture, ranging in color from green to brown depending on its ripeness.
Its taste is not something you’d typically munch on fresh due to its intense sweetness. Instead, the magic of Luóhàn Guǒ comes alive when its extract is used as a natural sweetener in foods and beverages, offering a guilt-free way to enjoy the sweet life without the sugar rush.
29. Lychee
Ah, my favorite. Lychee, the tropical treasure from Southern China, is like a burst of summer in your mouth. This small fruit, encased in a rough, reddish-pink shell, might not look inviting.
But crack it open, and you see juicy flesh that’s as sweet as it is refreshing. The taste is like a cocktail of floral and fruity flavors, with hints of grape, rose, and citrus.
Peeling lychee reveals its pearly white interior, which is smooth and firm, encasing a single, glossy brown seed. Originating from the lush regions of Guangdong and Fujian in China, lychee has charmed its way globally, finding a special place in various cuisines and beverages.
Final Thoughts
Alright, that’s a wrap! Going through all these fruits that start with L felt a bit like a treasure hunt.
I’ve had such a blast sharing them with you. It’s like we’ve been on a flavor-packed road trip together without even leaving our kitchens.
I’m excited to hear if you try any of these. Let’s keep our taste buds on their toes and trying new things.
Resources
More Fruits From A to Z!
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