Fruits are a tasty part of a healthy diet, but we often use the same few options. You might feel bored with your usual fruit choices and want to try something new. I get it – I’ve been there too!

That’s why I’ve compiled a list of 21 interesting fruits that start with the letter R. These fruits will excite your meals and snacks.

In this article, I’ll introduce you to some fruits you may have never heard of before. Get ready to learn about the unique flavors, textures, and health benefits these R-named fruits offer.

Let’s explore these fruits together and find new favorites to add to your shopping list!

List of Fruits That Start with R to Explore

1. Rambutan

Originating from Southeast Asia, Rambutan is a small, round fruit with a hairy red or yellow exterior. Its flesh is juicy and sweet, resembling a lychee in taste, with a subtle hint of tartness.

Fun Facts

• The name “rambutan” comes from the Malay word “rambut,” meaning “hair.”
• It is closely related to the lychee and longan fruits.

2. Raspberry

Raspberry, native to Europe and northern Asia, is a small, red fruit known for its sweet and slightly tangy flavor. It consists of many tiny drupelets clustered together.

Fun Facts

• Raspberries can be red, black, purple, or golden in color.
• The leaves of the raspberry plant are used to make herbal teas.

3. Red Banana

Red Bananas, originating from Southeast Asia, have a reddish-purple skin and a sweeter, creamier flesh compared to regular yellow bananas, with a slight raspberry flavor.

Fun Facts

• Red bananas are rich in beta-carotene, which gives them their reddish color.
• They are often used in Ayurvedic medicine for their cooling properties.

4. Raisin (Grape)

Raisins, dried grapes, originate from the Middle East and are small, wrinkled fruits with a concentrated sweetness and chewy texture.

Fun Facts

• Raisins were first produced in Persia and Egypt as early as 2000 BC.
• They contain concentrated levels of antioxidants due to the drying process.

5. Rose Apple

Native to Southeast Asia, Rose Apple is a bell-shaped fruit with a rosy fragrance and a crisp, watery texture. Its taste is mildly sweet, reminiscent of rose water.

Fun Facts

• The fruit is also known as “jambosa” or “malabar plum.”
• Its flowers are often used in traditional medicine to treat fever.

6. Rangpur Lime

Rangpur Lime, originally from India, is a small, orange-colored citrus fruit that combines the tartness of a lime with a hint of mandarin sweetness.

Fun Facts

• Despite its name, Rangpur Lime is not a true lime but a hybrid of lemon and mandarin orange.
• The fruit is often used in gin cocktails for its unique flavor.

7. Redcurrant

Redcurrant, native to Western Europe, is a small, glossy red fruit known for its tart flavor and is often used in jams and desserts.

Fun Facts

• Redcurrants were once used as a substitute for cranberries in Europe.
• The fruit is traditionally served with roast lamb in the UK.

8. Riberry

Native to Australia, Riberry is a small, red fruit with a tart, cranberry-like flavor. It has a firm texture and is often used in sauces and desserts.

Fun Facts

• Riberries are a traditional food of Indigenous Australians.
• They are often used to make Riberry jam, a popular spread in Australia.

9. Rockmelon (Cantaloupe)

Rockmelon, also known as cantaloupe, is a melon with a rough, netted skin and sweet, orange flesh. It is native to Persia and known for its juicy, fragrant flavor.

Fun Facts

• The name “cantaloupe” comes from the Italian town of Cantalupo, where the melon was first cultivated in Europe.
• In Japan, high-quality cantaloupes can sell for thousands of dollars as gifts.

10. Red Huckleberry

Red Huckleberries, native to North America, are small, bright red berries with a tart flavor. They grow on bushes in forested areas and are often used in jams and pies.

Fun Facts

• Red Huckleberries are an important food source for bears in the wild.
• Native Americans used huckleberries as a natural dye.

11. Rose Hip

Rose Hip, the fruit of the wild rose plant, is native to Europe and Asia. It has a bright red to orange color and a tart, citrus-like flavor, often used in herbal teas and jams.

Fun Facts

• During World War II, British children were encouraged to collect rose hips to make vitamin C syrup due to citrus shortages.
• Rose hips are often used in skincare products for their antioxidant properties.

12. Red Mulberry

Red Mulberry, native to North America, is a small, dark red to black fruit with a sweet flavor that resembles a mix of blackberries and figs.

Fun Facts

• The wood of the red mulberry tree is used to make musical instruments.
• Red mulberries were a staple food for Native American tribes.

13. Red Bayberry

Native to China, the Red Bayberry is a small, round fruit with a deep red color and a sweet-tart taste, often compared to a mix of strawberry and cranberry.

Fun Facts

• Red bayberry is also known as yangmei in China, where it is a popular summer fruit.
• The fruit is often fermented to make a traditional Chinese alcoholic drink.

14. Roselle

Roselle, native to West Africa, is a tropical fruit known for its deep red calyxes, which are used to make a tart and refreshing tea called hibiscus tea.

Fun Facts

• Roselle calyxes are a key ingredient in traditional Caribbean and African beverages.
• The plant is also used as a natural dye due to its vibrant red color.

15. Rollinia

Rollinia, native to the Amazon rainforest, is a large, yellow fruit with a spiky exterior and soft, custard-like flesh that has a sweet and tangy flavor.

Fun Facts

• Rollinia is sometimes called the “custard apple” due to its creamy texture.
• The fruit is highly perishable and is best eaten shortly after harvest.

16. Rukam

Rukam, also known as Governor’s plum, is a small, round fruit native to Southeast Asia with a tart, acidic taste similar to a plum.

Fun Facts

• Rukam fruits are often used in traditional medicine to treat digestive issues.
• The fruit is also used to make a popular sour condiment in Southeast Asia.

17. Red Anjou Pear

Red Anjou Pear, originally from Belgium, is a variety of pear with distinctive red skin and a sweet, juicy flavor. It has a smooth texture and is perfect for eating fresh or in salads.

Fun Facts

• Red Anjou Pears retain their bright color even when ripe, making them popular in decorative fruit baskets.
• The pear is named after the Anjou region in France, where it was first cultivated.

18. Red Mombin

Red Mombin, also known as jocote, is a small, oval-shaped fruit native to tropical America, with a tart and sweet flavor that becomes sweeter as it ripens.

Fun Facts

• Red Mombin is a popular fruit in Central America, often eaten with salt and chili.
• The tree is also valued for its wood, which is used in furniture making.

19. Rosaceae Pear

Rosaceae Pear is a variety of pear native to China, known for its crisp texture and juicy, sweet flavor. It has a rounded shape with a light green to yellow skin.

Fun Facts

• Rosaceae Pears are often used in traditional Chinese medicine for their cooling properties.
• The fruit is sometimes fermented to make pear wine.

20. Rambai

Rambai, native to Southeast Asia, is a small, round fruit with a thin, yellow skin and a sweet and sour flavor. It is closely related to the langsat and duku fruits.

Fun Facts

• Rambai fruits are often fermented to make a traditional alcoholic beverage in Southeast Asia.
• The fruit’s seeds are also edible and can be roasted and eaten as a snack.

21. Red Salak (Snake Fruit)

Red Salak, also known as Snake Fruit, is a tropical fruit native to Indonesia. It has reddish-brown, scaly skin and sweet, tangy flesh that is similar in texture to an apple.

Fun Facts

• The fruit is called “snake fruit” due to its scaly skin that resembles snake scales.
• Red Salak is often used in traditional Indonesian desserts and as a flavoring in beverages.

Conclusion

I hope this list has lifted your interest in trying new fruits. From the sweet rambutan to the tart red currant, a world of flavors is waiting for you to explore.

Remember, eating various fruits is great for your health and can make your meals more fun.

Why not challenge yourself to try one new R fruit each week? You might find a new favorite! If you can’t find these fruits locally, check out specialty stores or farmers’ markets. They often have unique options.

Have you tried any of these fruits before? Which one are you most excited to taste?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!