42 Fruit Name Start With R: A Complete List

Have you ever played a fruit-naming game and got stuck when it came to fruits starting with ‘R’?

Most of us can quickly name raspberries and maybe raisins, but after that, it gets tricky. Even experienced food lovers often pause when trying to list more R-fruits.

Good news – there’s a whole world of R-named fruits out there!

In fact, there are 42 different fruits that start with R, ranging from common supermarket finds to fascinating varieties from various corners of the world.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to all 42 fruits that begin with R.

We’ll cover everything from the familiar red currants you might find at your local store to unique fruits you’d love to try on your next tropical vacation.

Let’s expand your fruit knowledge together!

Most Unique R-Starting Fruits

1. Rambutan

• Description: A spiky, red-skinned fruit with translucent, juicy flesh. Resembles lychee.
• Origin: Native to Southeast Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet with a mildly acidic edge, refreshing and tropical.

2. Raspberry

• Description: Small, red, aggregate berries with a soft, velvety texture.
• Origin: Europe and Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet-tart, with a delicate, slightly floral aftertaste.

3. Raisin

• Description: Dried grapes, available in golden, green, and black varieties.
• Origin: Middle East, as dried fruits were first cultivated there.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, rich, and chewy, with hints of caramel and honey.

4. Rose Apple

• Description: Bell-shaped fruit with thin skin, ranging from green to pink.
• Origin: Southeast Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Crisp and mildly sweet, with floral and slightly earthy notes.

5. Rowan Berry

• Description: Small, bright orange-red berries that grow in clusters.
• Origin: Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Flavor Profile: Very tart and slightly bitter, often used in jams or fermented beverages.

6. Roselle

• Description: Red calyces of the hibiscus flower used for culinary purposes.
• Origin: Africa and India.
• Flavor Profile: Tart and tangy, similar to cranberry or rhubarb.

7. Rockmelon

• Description: A type of cantaloupe with a rough, netted rind and orange flesh.
• Origin: Iran and India.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and juicy, with a mild musky aroma.

8. Rambai

• Description: Small, yellowish fruits growing in clusters on large trees.
• Origin: Southeast Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy, with a soft, juicy texture.

9. Rollinia

• Description: A spiky, yellow-green fruit with soft, custard-like flesh.
• Origin: South America, particularly Brazil.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and creamy, with hints of banana and pineapple.

10. Rangpur Lime

• Description: Citrus fruit resembling a mandarin orange with thin, orange skin.
• Origin: India.
• Flavor Profile: Sour and tangy, with a hint of mandarin sweetness.

11. Ruby Roman Grape

• Description: Large, round red grapes cultivated for their size and sweetness.
• Origin: Japan.
• Flavor Profile: Extremely sweet, with a delicate, juicy interior.

12. River Tamarind Fruit

• Description: Small, bean-like fruit from the Leucaena tree.
• Origin: Central America.
• Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet, with earthy undertones.

13. Rainier Cherry

• Description: Yellow and red-skinned cherries with firm, juicy flesh.
• Origin: United States, specifically Washington state.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and slightly tangy, with a honey-like aftertaste.

14. Rukam

• Description: Small, purple or black berries with a thin skin.
• Origin: Southeast Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Tart and astringent, often eaten with sugar or salt.

15. Rimu Berry

• Description: Tiny, red fruit from the Rimu tree, a type of conifer.
• Origin: New Zealand.
• Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet with a resinous, pine-like flavor.

16. Rumberry

• Description: Small, round, and bright purple tropical fruit.
• Origin: Caribbean.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and aromatic, with hints of vanilla and spice.

17. Rugosa Rose Hip

• Description: The small, red fruit of the rugosa rose plant, rich in seeds.
• Origin: East Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Tart and slightly sweet, often used in teas and syrups.

18. Ribes

• Description: A genus of small berries, including currants and gooseberries.
• Origin: Europe and North America.
• Flavor Profile: Ranges from tart to mildly sweet, depending on the variety.

19. Rose Hip

• Description: The seed-filled fruit of wild roses, often red or orange.
• Origin: Temperate regions worldwide.
• Flavor Profile: Tart and fruity, with a slightly earthy undertone.

20. Roystonea Regia

• Description: Small, round fruits from the royal palm tree.
• Origin: Caribbean and Florida.
• Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet and nutty.

21. Rangoon Creeper Fruit

• Description: Small, oval fruits from the Rangoon creeper vine, green to black when ripe.
• Origin: South and Southeast Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy, often eaten fresh or added to beverages.

22. Rough Lemon

• Description: A bumpy-skinned citrus fruit, larger and hardier than regular lemons.
• Origin: India.
• Flavor Profile: Extremely sour, with a slight bitterness.

23. Round Kumquat

• Description: Small, round citrus fruit with an edible sweet rind and tart pulp.
• Origin: China.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet on the outside, tangy and sour on the inside.

24. Redbay Berry

• Description: Small, dark purple to black berries from the redbay tree, often eaten by wildlife.
• Origin: Southeastern United States and the Caribbean.
• Flavor Profile: Mildly sweet and slightly bitter, with an earthy undertone.

25. Ratanjot Fruit

• Description: Small, reddish-purple fruit known for its natural coloring properties.
• Origin: India and neighboring countries.
• Flavor Profile: Mild and earthy, mainly used as a food dye.

26. Rhobs el Arsa

• Description: A Moroccan variety of orange, known for its smooth skin and sweet juice.
• Origin: Morocco.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, with a slightly floral aroma.

27. Rose Pear

• Description: A pear variety with a rose-like fragrance and pinkish-red skin.
• Origin: Europe.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and juicy, with floral undertones.

28. Red Lychee

• Description: A variety of lychee with a bright red, textured skin and juicy, translucent flesh.
• Origin: Native to southern China, now widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, floral, and refreshing, with a hint of tartness.

29. Riberry (Lilly Pilly Fruit)

• Description: Small, shiny, red-purple fruit from the Australian lilly pilly tree.
• Origin: Australia.
• Flavor Profile: Tart and tangy, with a hint of clove and cinnamon.

30. Rosso Pear

• Description: A red-skinned pear variety with soft, buttery flesh.
• Origin: Italy.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet, juicy, and aromatic.

31. Red Papaya

• Description: A variety of papaya with deep red or orange flesh, often larger and sweeter than the typical yellow papaya.
• Origin: Native to Central America, now grown in tropical regions worldwide.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and rich, with a smooth, buttery texture and tropical aroma.

32. Rare Apple Mango

• Description: A unique mango variety with an apple-like shape and texture.
• Origin: India.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and juicy, with hints of tartness.

33. Round Gourd Fruit

• Description: A small, round vegetable-fruit used in savory dishes.
• Origin: India and Southeast Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Mild and slightly bitter when cooked.

34. Rhubarb

• Description: Long, red stalks used as a fruit in desserts despite being a vegetable.
• Origin: Siberia.
• Flavor Profile: Tart and tangy, often sweetened in recipes.

35. Russian Olive Fruit

• Description: Small, yellow or silver drupes from the Russian olive tree.
• Origin: Western and Central Asia.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and mealy, with a slight nutty taste.

36. Rainforest Plum

• Description: A small, dark purple fruit native to tropical rainforests.
• Origin: South America.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy, with a juicy pulp.

37. Red Acerola (Barbados Cherry)

• Description: A small, bright red fruit that grows on a shrub, often mistaken for a cherry. It has a thin skin and a pit in the center.
• Origin: Native to Central and South America, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Flavor Profile: Extremely tart with a sweet, juicy flavor that is often described as a blend of sour cherry and citrus.

38. Red Gooseberry

• Description: A small, round fruit with smooth red skin and a slightly tart flavor, often found in clusters.
• Origin: Native to Europe and parts of Asia, now grown in various temperate regions.
• Flavor Profile: Tart, tangy, and slightly sweet, with a refreshing, juicy texture.

39. Raphia Palm Fruit

• Description: Large, round fruit from the Raphia palm tree, used for oil extraction.
• Origin: Africa.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and nutty, often processed for consumption.

40. Raspberry Hybrid (e.g., Tayberry or Loganberry)

• Description: Crossbred fruits combining raspberry with blackberry or other berries.
• Origin: Scotland and the United States.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet-tart, with a richer flavor than raspberries.

41. Red Kiwi

• Description: A variety of kiwi fruit with red flesh and tiny black seeds, typically smaller than the common green kiwi. The skin remains brown and fuzzy, similar to other kiwis.
• Origin: Originated from New Zealand, now cultivated in various regions around the world.
• Flavor Profile: Sweet and tangy, with a richer flavor compared to the green kiwi, offering a mild berry-like taste alongside its tropical zing.

42. Red Tamarillo

• Description: A small, egg-shaped fruit with smooth red skin and a tangy, slightly sweet pulp. Often called the “tree tomato,” it can be eaten raw or cooked.
• Origin: Native to the Andes in South America, particularly in countries like Ecuador and Colombia.
• Flavor Profile: Tangy, slightly sour, with a sweet aftertaste. Its flavor resembles a mix between a tomato and a fruit, with a slightly savory edge when cooked.

Wrapping it Up!

From the common raspberry to the lesser-known rambai, these 42 R-named fruits showcase the incredible variety in nature’s fruit basket.

Each brings its special mix of flavors, textures, and nutritional benefits to the table, making our food world richer and more interesting.

Next time you shop for fruits, why not experiment with some of these R-fruits?

While some might be seasonal or regional, many are worth seeking out at specialty stores or international markets.

Even if you start with the more accessible options like red currants or rosehips, you’re already expanding your fruit horizons.