Many people searching for unique fruits often miss out on the fascinating varieties that begin with the letter Y.
It’s a common challenge, especially when planning diverse meals or expanding your nutritional knowledge beyond apples and bananas.
Good news: a surprising number of flavorful and nutritious fruits start with Y, and many of them can add exciting new dimensions to your diet.
Some are easy to find at your local market, while others might inspire you to visit specialty stores.
This guide will walk you through 22 fruits that begin with Y, including their origin and taste profiles, as well as how to spot them.
We’ll cover both common options you might already know and lesser-known varieties that could become your new favorites.
Description: Small to medium-sized with smooth, yellow skin.
Origin: North America
Flavor Profile: Sweet and tart with a crisp texture.
Description: Small, round, reddish-orange fruit with a thin skin.
Origin: Yunnan province, China
Flavor Profile: Sweet, nutty taste with a slightly chewy texture.
Description: Oval-shaped with a thick, yellow rind and many dark seeds inside.
Origin: South America
Flavor Profile: Sweet-tart with a fragrant aroma and juicy seeds.
: Round, yellowish-green pear with a smooth, crisp skin.
Origin: China
Flavor Profile: Crisp, refreshing, and mildly sweet with a juicy texture.
Description: Small, bright red or orange berries with a fleshy outer layer.
Origin: Europe, North America, Asia
Flavor Profile: Tart, with a slight sweetness in the edible flesh, though seeds are toxic.
Description: Small, round fruit with golden-yellow skin and smooth, juicy flesh.
Origin: Europe, Asia
Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy with a juicy, slightly fibrous texture.
Description: Small, round fruit with a yellow skin and a white, juicy flesh.
Origin: Colombia
Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly tangy, with a flavor similar to peach or apricot.
Description: Small, round berries with a reddish-purple to deep red color and a bumpy texture.
Origin: China
Flavor Profile: Sweet, tart, and slightly tangy, similar to cranberry or pomegranate.
Description: Round or oval fruit with smooth, yellow skin and a slightly grainy flesh.
Origin: South America, Central America
Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet with a tropical aroma and grainy texture.
Description: Small to medium-sized fruit with red skin and numerous seeds inside.
Origin: Yunnan, China
Flavor Profile: Sweet, juicy seeds with a hint of tartness.
Description: Medium-sized, yellow pineapple with a thick skin and a rich, golden flesh.
Origin: Yunnan province, China
Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy with a tropical, juicy taste.
Description: A hybrid berry, dark purple-black with a smooth texture and larger than most blackberries.
Origin: United States
Flavor Profile: A mix of blackberry and raspberry, sweet and tangy.
Description: Long, brown tuber with a rough outer skin and starchy, white interior.
Origin: South America, Central America
Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet, starchy, and nutty when cooked.
Description: Small, round or oblong tuber with reddish-brown skin and crisp, white flesh.
Origin: Andes region of South America
Flavor Profile: Sweet, crisp, and refreshing, with a taste similar to an apple or pear.
Description: Small, round fruit with a bright red skin and a slightly bumpy surface.
Origin: China
Flavor Profile: Sweet and sour with a rich, berry-like taste.
Description: A variation of watermelon with yellow flesh instead of red, with green skin.
Origin: Africa
Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet, refreshing, and slightly less juicy than red watermelon.
Description: A smooth, round pear with golden-yellow skin and firm flesh.
Origin: Japan
Flavor Profile: Crisp, watery, and lightly sweet, similar to Asian pears.
Description: Small, round fruit with a bright yellow skin and juicy flesh.
Origin: North America
Flavor Profile: Sweet with a mild, tart undertone.
Description: Small, round fruit with easy-to-peel orange skin and juicy segments inside.
Origin: Yunnan, China
Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy with a fragrant citrus aroma.
Description: Small, elongated, yellow to golden fruit with a soft texture.
Origin: Asia, Europe
Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly tart with a delicate, berry-like texture.
Description: A pear-shaped fruit with smooth yellow skin and firm, crisp flesh.
Origin: China
Flavor Profile: Sweet and crisp, with a refreshing, watery texture.
Description: Small, dark berries clustered together on a bush, typically deep purple or black.
Origin: North America
Flavor Profile: Bitter-sweet, similar to elderberry with an herbal undertone.
The world of Y-named fruits offers more variety than most people imagine.
From the familiar yellow watermelon to the exotic yangmei, these fruits can transform your everyday meals into something special.
Adding these fruits to your diet isn’t just about trying something new – it’s about expanding your nutritional horizons and discovering flavors you might have missed.
Ready to start your fruit exploration? Begin with the easier-to-find options like yellow apple or yellow passionfruit at your local grocery store.
As you grow more confident, seek specialty markets for the more unusual varieties.
Don’t forget to share your experiences in the comments below! Which Y fruits have you tried?