Have you ever felt like you’re in a fruit rut, eating the same apples and bananas day after day?

I know I have. It’s hard to break out of our comfort zones, especially when it comes to trying new foods.

But don’t worry – I’ve got a fun challenge for you. In this post, I’ll take you on a tasty tour of 27 fruits that all start with the letter K.

Some might sound familiar, while others will be totally new. I’ll tell you what they taste like, where they’re from, and how you can try them yourself.

List of Fruits That Start with K to Enjoy

1. Kiwi

Originating from New Zealand, the Kiwi is a small, fuzzy brown fruit with bright green flesh. Its sweet-tart taste makes it a popular choice for fresh consumption and desserts.

Fun Facts

• The name “Kiwi” comes from New Zealand’s native bird.
• It is high in Vitamin C, even more than oranges.

2. Kumquat

Native to China, Kumquats are small, oval-shaped fruits with bright orange skin. Unlike other citrus fruits, you can eat them whole, including the sweet skin and tangy pulp.

Fun Facts

• You can eat the skin, which is sweet, while the flesh is sour.
• They are often used in marmalades and jams.

3. Kaffir Lime

Kaffir lime, originally from Southeast Asia, is a small, bumpy green fruit. It has a sour and aromatic flavor, often used in Thai and Indonesian cuisines.

Fun Facts

• The leaves are more commonly used than the fruit in cooking.
• It’s also known as the “Makrut lime” in Thailand.

4. Kiwano (Horned Melon)

Native to Africa, the Kiwano is a bright orange, spiky fruit with a jelly-like green interior. Its mildly sweet and tart flavor is often compared to that of banana, cucumber, and lime.

Fun Facts

• The Kiwano is also known as the “Horned Melon” due to its spiky appearance.
• It’s a popular snack in Africa and is often eaten by scooping out the jelly-like flesh.

5. Kakadu Plum

The Kakadu Plum, native to northern Australia, is a small, greenish-yellow fruit with a tart taste. It is renowned for its extremely high Vitamin C content, even more than oranges.

Fun Facts

• The Kakadu Plum has the highest recorded Vitamin C content of any fruit.
• Indigenous Australians have used it for thousands of years for medicinal purposes.

6. Korean Melon

Originating from East Asia, the Korean Melon is a small, yellow fruit with white stripes and crisp, sweet flesh. Its mild, honey-like flavor makes it a refreshing summer fruit.

Fun Facts

• The Korean Melon is also known as “chamoe” in Korea.
• It’s a popular fruit in Korean culture and is often eaten as a snack.

7. Kousa Dogwood Fruit

Native to East Asia, the Kousa Dogwood Fruit is a small, red, and bumpy fruit with a creamy, custard-like texture. Its flavor mixes mango and papaya, making it a unique dessert addition.

Fun Facts

• The fruit is often used as an ornamental tree in gardens.
• The texture of the flesh is creamy, almost like a custard.

8. Kaki (Persimmon)

Kaki, also known as Japanese Persimmon, originates from East Asia and is a round, orange fruit with a sweet, honey-like taste when fully ripe. Its texture ranges from crisp to soft, depending on ripeness.

Fun Facts

• The word “Kaki” is Japanese for persimmon.
• The fruit is often dried to make a traditional Japanese snack called “Hoshigaki.”

9. Kei Apple

The Kei Apple, native to Southern Africa, is a small, yellow-orange fruit with a tart, lemon-like flavor. Due to its high pectin content, it’s often used in making jams and jellies.

Fun Facts

• Due to its thorny nature, the Kei Apple is often used as a natural hedge.
• It’s named after the Kei River in South Africa, where it was first discovered.

10. Knobby Russet Apple

Originating from the United Kingdom, the Knobby Russet Apple is a unique, rough-skinned apple with a sweet, nutty flavor. It’s a traditional variety often used in baking and cider-making.

Fun Facts

• The Knobby Russet is known as the “Winter Russet” due to its late harvest season.
• Unlike most modern apple varieties, its rough, russeted skin gives it a unique appearance.

11. Karonda (Carissa carandas)

Native to India, Karonda is a small, dark pink to red fruit with a tart, cranberry-like flavor. Due to its sharp taste, it’s commonly used in Indian pickles and chutneys.

Fun Facts

• Karonda is often grown as a hedge plant due to its thorny branches.
• It’s considered a medicinal plant in Ayurveda that treats anemia and digestive issues.

12. Kwai Muk

Kwai Muk, native to Southeast Asia, is a small, round, brown fruit with a sweet and tangy taste. It’s closely related to the jackfruit and is often eaten fresh or used in desserts.

Fun Facts

• Kwai Muk trees are often planted as ornamental trees in Southeast Asia.
• The fruit is sometimes called the “Chinese fig” due to its fig-like appearance.

13. Key Lime

Key Lime, also known as Mexican lime, is a small, round lime native to Southeast Asia but widely grown in Florida. It has a more intense flavor than the common Persian lime, making it a favorite in pies and cocktails.

Fun Facts

• Key Limes are smaller and more acidic than regular limes.
• They are the key ingredient in the famous “Key Lime Pie,” a signature dessert of Florida.

14. Kabosu

Kabosu is a citrus fruit native to Japan, with a green, round appearance and a tart, lemon-like flavor. It’s often used as a seasoning in Japanese cuisine, particularly in fish dishes.

Fun Facts

• Kabosu is often used in Japanese cuisine to replace vinegar.
• It’s commonly paired with grilled fish and hot pot dishes in Japan.

15. Kaffir Plum

Kaffir Plum, native to southern Africa, is a small, oval, purple fruit with a tart flavor. It’s often used in making traditional African jams and sauces.

Fun Facts

• The tree is also used for timber and shade in Africa.
• Kaffir Plum is an important food source for local wildlife, including birds and monkeys.

16. Kalumpit

Kalumpit is a rare, dark purple fruit native to the Philippines. It has a sweet, grape-like taste and is often eaten fresh or made into jams.

Fun Facts

• Kalumpit is also known as the “Philippine almond” due to its nut-like seeds.
• The tree is often planted for reforestation in the Philippines.

17. Kanzan Cherry

The Kanzan Cherry is native to Japan, famous for its beautiful blossoms, and its small, red fruit has a tart taste. The fruit is often used in making preserves and liqueurs.

Fun Facts

• The Kanzan Cherry is more famous for its blossoms than its fruit.
• The blossoms are celebrated annually during the cherry blossom festivals in Japan.

18. Klamath Plum

Native to the Klamath Mountains in California, the Klamath Plum is a small, dark purple fruit with a sweet and tangy flavor. It’s often used in making jams and jellies.

Fun Facts

• The Klamath Plum is also known as the Sierra Plum.
• It’s a favorite food for local wildlife, including bears and birds.

19. Korlan

Korlan is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia, similar to lychee and rambutan. It has a sweet and slightly acidic taste, with a soft, translucent flesh.

Fun Facts

• Korlan is often sold in local markets in Southeast Asia but is relatively unknown outside the region.
• The fruit is related to the more well-known lychee and rambutan.

20. Kaki Fig

The Kaki Fig is a small, orange fruit native to Japan, with a sweet, honey-like flavor. It’s often dried and eaten as a snack or used in desserts.

Fun Facts

• The Kaki Fig is often referred to as the “Date-Plum” due to its sweet flavor.
• It’s one of the oldest cultivated fruits, with records dating back to ancient Greece.

21. Kundong

Kundong, also known as the Borneo Wild Mango, is native to Borneo and has a sweet and sour taste. The fruit is oval and green, with a juicy, fibrous flesh.

Fun Facts

• Kundong is often used in traditional Bornean cuisine.
• The fruit is rich in natural sugars, making it a favorite among locals.

22. Katmon

Katmon, also known as Elephant Apple, is native to the Philippines. It’s a large, green fruit with a sour taste, often used in cooking or made into preserves.

Fun Facts

• Katmon fruit is traditionally used in Filipino dishes like sinigang, a sour soup.
• The tree is often used as an ornamental plant due to its large, showy flowers.

23. King Coconut

Native to Sri Lanka, the King Coconut is a bright orange variety of coconut known for its sweet and refreshing water. It’s primarily consumed as a beverage in tropical regions.

Fun Facts

• King Coconut water is often referred to as “nature’s energy drink” due to its high electrolyte content.
• It’s considered a symbol of hospitality in Sri Lankan culture.

24. Karkalla

Karkalla, also known as Pigface or Beach Banana, is native to coastal areas of Australia. It’s a succulent fruit with a salty, slightly sweet taste, often eaten fresh or pickled.

Fun Facts

• Karkalla is often used in indigenous Australian cuisine.
• The plant is also used as ground cover to prevent soil erosion in coastal areas.

25. Kesar Mango

The Kesar Mango, native to India, is a small, saffron-colored fruit with a sweet and rich flavor. It’s often referred to as the “Queen of Mangoes” due to its distinct taste and aroma.

Fun Facts

• Kesar Mango is one of the most popular mango varieties in India.
• It’s named “Kesar,” which means saffron, due to its saffron-like color.

26. Kinkan (Japanese Kumquat)

Kinkan, also known as the Japanese Kumquat, is a small, orange fruit native to Japan. It’s sweet and slightly tangy, and unlike other citrus fruits, you can eat the peel along with the flesh.

Fun Facts

• Kinkan is often eaten whole as a snack in Japan.
• The fruit is used in traditional Japanese medicine for treating colds and coughs.

27. Kiwiberry

Kiwiberry, also known as baby kiwi, is native to Japan and Korea. It’s a small, smooth-skinned fruit that looks like a grape but has the taste of a kiwi. It’s sweet and juicy, making it a popular snack.

Fun Facts

• Kiwiberry is often referred to as a “superfood” due to its high nutritional content.
• The fruit is entirely edible, including the skin.

Conclusion

From the sweet kiwi to the unusual kiwano, there’s a whole world of flavors to explore. I hope this list has made you curious to try some new fruits.

Why not challenge yourself to taste one new K fruit this week? You might find a new favorite! If you can’t find these fruits locally, check out ethnic markets or online stores. They often carry more unusual produce.

Have you tried any of these fruits before? Which one are you most excited to taste? Let me know in the comments below. And if you know any other K fruits I missed, share those too!

Let’s keep exploring the tasty world of fruits together.