Fruits add color and flavor to our meals, but it’s easy to stick to the same old options. You might feel like you’re missing out on some tasty treats. Don’t worry! I have a fun list of fruits that’ll spice up your diet.

In this post, I’ll introduce you to 27 interesting fruits that start with the letter M.

From sweet to tangy and common to exotic, you’ll find a variety of flavors to try. Get ready to explore new tastes and add excitement to your fruit bowl.

Who knows? You might just find your new favorite snack!

List of Fruits That Start with M to Explore

1. Mango

Mangoes originate from South Asia and are known for their vibrant orange-yellow skin and juicy, sweet flesh with a hint of tartness. They are often described as having a rich, tropical flavor.

Fun Facts

• Mangoes are the national fruit of India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
• There are over 1,000 varieties of mangoes worldwide.

2. Mangosteen

Native to Southeast Asia, mangosteens have a dark purple rind and juicy, snow-white flesh that is sweet with a slight tang. They are often referred to as the “queen of fruits.”

Fun Facts

• Mangosteen trees take 8-15 years to bear fruit.
• The fruit was once banned in the U.S. due to concerns about bringing in fruit flies.

3. Mamey Sapote

Originating from Central America, mamey sapote has brown, rough skin and bright orange flesh. Its sweet, custard-like flavor is reminiscent of pumpkin and sweet potato.

Fun Facts

• The mamey sapote is sometimes called the “Caribbean apricot.”
• The fruit can take up to 18 months to mature on the tree.

4. Mamoncillo (Spanish Lime)

Native to northern South America, the mamoncillo has a green, leathery skin and jelly-like orange flesh that is tart and sweet, similar to a lychee or lime.

Fun Facts

• The mamoncillo is often sold in clusters, much like grapes.
• It is a popular street food in the Caribbean.

5. Maracuja (Passion Fruit)

This South American fruit has a tough, wrinkled rind that encases a gelatinous, seed-filled pulp with a sweet-tart refreshing and tangy flavor.

Fun Facts

• Passion fruit is named after the Passion of Christ due to its flower’s unique structure.
• The pulp is often eaten with a spoon straight from the shell.

6. Mulberry

Mulberries are small, dark berries that grow in clusters. They originate from Asia and have a sweet and slightly tart flavor, often compared to blackberries.

Fun Facts

• Mulberries come in various colors, including white, red, and black.
• Silkworms feed exclusively on mulberry leaves.

7. Miracle Berry

Native to West Africa, the miracle berry has a bright red skin and is known for its unique ability to make sour foods taste sweet due to the presence of miraculin.

Fun Facts

• Miraculin, the active compound in the berry, binds to taste buds and changes the perception of flavors.
• The effect can last from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

8. Maqui Berry

This deep purple berry hails from the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina. Its tart, earthy flavor is often compared to a cross between blackberries and blueberries.

Fun Facts

• Maqui berries are sometimes called “Chilean wineberry.”
• The Mapuche people have traditionally used the berries for medicinal purposes.

9. Medlar

Medlars originate from southwest Asia and Europe. When fully ripe, they have a brown, apple-like appearance and a flavor often described as a mix between apple sauce and dates.

Fun Facts

• Medlars need to undergo bletting (softening) before they can be eaten.
• The fruit has been cultivated since Roman times.

10. Marionberry

A hybrid between the ‘Chehalem’ and ‘Olallie’ blackberries, marionberries were developed in Oregon and are known for their glossy, dark purple color and sweet, slightly tart flavor.

Fun Facts

• Marionberries are often called the “Cabernet of Blackberries” due to their rich, complex flavor.
• They were named after Marion County, Oregon.

11. Mandarin Orange

Mandarins are native to Southeast Asia. They are smaller, sweeter, and less acidic than regular oranges, and their skin is thin and easy to peel.

Fun Facts

• The word “mandarin” comes from the language spoken by the officials in the Imperial court of China.
• Mandarins are often given as gifts during Chinese New Year for good luck.

12. Meyer Lemon

A cross between a regular lemon and a mandarin orange, Meyer lemons originated in China and are known for their slightly sweeter, less acidic flavor and bright yellow skin.

Fun Facts

• Meyer lemons were introduced to the U.S. in 1908 by agricultural explorer Frank Meyer.
• They are a favorite in home gardening due to their smaller size and sweeter flavor.

13. Monk Fruit

Monk fruit, native to southern China, is a small green gourd that is extremely sweet. It is often used as a natural, calorie-free sweetener. Monk fruit has a unique sweet flavor with a slightly fruity undertone.

Fun Facts

• Monk fruit was named after the Buddhist monks who first cultivated it in the 13th century.
• It is 150-200 times sweeter than sugar but with zero calories.

14. Melon Pear (Pepino)

Native to South America, the melon pear, or pepino, has a smooth, yellowish skin with purple streaks and a juicy, mildly sweet flesh that tastes like a mix of cantaloupe and cucumber.

Fun Facts

• Pepino means “cucumber” in Spanish, though it is unrelated to cucumbers.
• The fruit is often grown in greenhouses due to its sensitivity to frost.

15. Mangaba

Mangaba, native to Brazil, is a small, yellowish fruit with soft, sweet flesh and a flavor similar to a mix of banana and strawberry, often used in local Brazilian dishes and beverages.

Fun Facts

• The name “mangaba” comes from the Tupi word “mangaíba,” meaning “good fruit for eating.”
• Mangaba trees are also valued for their latex, which produces rubber.

16. Mammee Apple

The mammee apple, native to the Caribbean and Central America, has a thick, rough skin and bright orange flesh with a sweet, apricot-like flavor.

Fun Facts

• The seeds of the mammee apple are used to make insect repellent.
• The fruit is sometimes called “St. Domingo apricot” due to its flavor.

17. Monkey Orange

Monkey orange is a tropical fruit native to Africa. It is known for its hard, woody shell and sweet, aromatic orange flesh. Its unique flavor is often compared to a blend of banana and orange.

Fun Facts

• The fruit’s tough shell is often used to make containers and musical instruments.
• The name “monkey orange” comes from monkeys being known to eat the fruit.

18. Mountain Soursop

Mountain soursop, native to the Caribbean and Central America, has a spiky green skin and white, creamy flesh with a tart, citrusy flavor, similar to a cross between a pineapple and a strawberry.

Fun Facts

• The fruit is sometimes used to make a refreshing drink called “champola.”
• The seeds and leaves of the plant have been used in traditional medicine.

19. Marang

Native to the Philippines and Borneo, marang has spiky, greenish-yellow skin and soft, white flesh. It has a strong, sweet aroma and a taste similar to a blend of jackfruit and durian.

Fun Facts

• Marang is known for its intense, sweet aroma, filling an entire room.
• The seeds of the marang are also edible when roasted.

20. Macadamia Nut

Originating from Australia, macadamia nuts are encased in a hard shell and have a creamy, buttery flavor. They are often used in desserts and snacks.

Fun Facts

• Macadamia nuts are among the most expensive in the world due to their difficult harvesting process.
• The trees can take up to 7-10 years to produce their first crop of nuts.

21. Mahua Fruit

Mahua fruit, native to India, is small and yellowish. It has a sweet, honey-like flavor and is commonly used in traditional Indian beverages and sweets.

Fun Facts

• Mahua flowers are also used to produce a traditional alcoholic beverage in India.
• The fruit and flowers are considered sacred in many Indian cultures.

22. Mango Kernel

The kernel inside the mango seed, often discarded, is edible and has a slightly nutty flavor. It is used in various traditional dishes and as a thickening agent.

Fun Facts

• Mango kernels are often ground into flour and used in traditional Indian cooking.
• The oil extracted from mango kernels is used in cosmetics and soaps.

23. Marula

Native to southern Africa, marula fruit is small and yellow with a tart, citrusy flavor. It is famously used to produce the alcoholic beverage Amarula.

Fun Facts

• Marula fruits are known to ferment naturally on the tree, attracting elephants that enjoy eating them.
• The seeds are used to extract marula oil, which is popular in skincare products.

24. Muscadine Grape

Native to the southeastern United States, muscadine grapes have thick skins and a musky, sweet-tart flavor. They are often used in wines and preserves.

Fun Facts

• Muscadine grapes are one of the oldest grape varieties in North America, dating back over 400 years.
• The skins are thicker than most grapes, which contributes to their high antioxidant content.

25. Medjool Date

Originating from the Middle East and North Africa, Medjool dates are large, soft, and exceptionally sweet with a caramel-like flavor. They are often eaten as a natural sweetener.

Fun Facts

• Medjool dates are known as the “king of dates” due to their large size and rich flavor.
• They were once reserved for royalty and considered a delicacy.

26. Manilkara Zapota (Sapodilla)

Native to Central America, sapodilla has a rough, brown skin and sweet, grainy flesh that tastes like brown sugar or pear.

Fun Facts

• The sapodilla tree is the primary source of chicle, the natural gum used in chewing gum.
• The fruit is often called “naseberry” in the Caribbean.

27. Murta Berry

Murta berries, also known as Chilean guava, are native to southern Chile and Argentina. These small, red berries have a sweet, aromatic flavor that is often compared to a mix of strawberries and guava.

Fun Facts

• Murta berries are sometimes referred to as “New Zealand cranberries.”
• They were a favorite fruit of Queen Victoria, who had them imported regularly.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve learned about these 27 fruits starting with M, it’s time to take action!

Why not pick one or two from this list to try next time you’re at the grocery store or farmers market?

Expanding your fruit horizons can be a fun and healthy adventure. You might find a new favorite or discover a fruit that’s perfect for your next recipe.

Remember, trying new foods is a great way to add variety to your diet and boost your nutrition.

So, what’s next? Head out and look for these fruits, or share this list with friends who love food as much as you do.

Let me know in the comments which fruit you’re most excited to try!