Stuck on fruits that start with D during your last word game? It happens to the best of us! While dates and dragonfruit might come to mind quickly, the world of D-fruits offers more variety than most people realize.
These fruits grow in different corners of the world, each with its own unique taste, texture, and growing needs. From sweet treats to tangy surprises, D-fruits can add something special to your fruit bowls, smoothies, and recipes.
This guide walks you through every fruit that begins with the letter D, from the common ones you’ll find at your local store to rare gems you might want to seek out on your next trip.
Ready to expand your fruit knowledge? Let’s get started!
Popular Fruits that Start with D
1. Date
Dates are oval, cylindrical fruits that have a long, wrinkled brown skin and a single pit in the center. They are commonly used in dried form and in Middle Eastern cuisine.
- Origin: Native to the Middle East and North Africa.
- Flavor: Sweet and caramel-like.
- Nutritional Benefits: Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and essential minerals like Potassium and Magnesium. Supports digestive health.
2. Dragonfruit
Dragonfruit is a vibrant fruit with bright pink or yellow skin and white or red flesh speckled with tiny black seeds. It has a spiky exterior that resembles a dragon’s scales.
- Origin: Native to Central America.
- Flavor: Mildly sweet with a subtle tartness.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. Supports immune function and digestive health.
3. Durian
Durian is a large, spiky fruit with a distinctive, pungent aroma. The flesh inside is creamy, yellow, and filled with large seeds. It is often eaten fresh or used in desserts.
- Origin: Native to Southeast Asia.
- Flavor: Strong, sweet, and savory.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in fiber, Vitamin C, and healthy fats. Promotes digestion and supports immune health.
4. Duku
Duku is a small, round fruit with a thick, leathery skin and translucent white segments inside. It is often peeled and eaten fresh in tropical regions.
- Origin: Native to Southeast Asia.
- Flavor: Sweet and slightly tart.
- Nutritional Benefits: Contains Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Supports immune health and digestion.
5. Damson
Damson is a small, dark purple fruit that looks like a plum. It has a glossy skin and is commonly used in jams, jellies, and baked goods.
- Origin: Native to Europe and Western Asia.
- Flavor: Tart and slightly sweet.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Supports immune health and heart health.
6. Dewberry
Dewberries are small, dark purple-black fruits similar to blackberries, with a glossy appearance. They grow on trailing vines and are often used in jams and syrups.
- Origin: Native to Europe and North America.
- Flavor: Sweet and tangy.
- Nutritional Benefits: Rich in Vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Supports digestion and boosts immunity.
7. Dessert Lime
Dessert Limes are small, round citrus fruits with a thin, green rind and juicy flesh. They are typically smaller than regular limes and often used in desserts and beverages.
- Origin: Native to Australia.
- Flavor: Tart and slightly sweet.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and essential minerals like Calcium. Supports immune Health.
8. Davidson’s Plum
Davidson’s plum is a small, dark purple to black fruit with a smooth skin and sour flesh. It is native to tropical rainforests and is used in sauces, chutneys, and desserts.
- Origin: Native to Australia.
- Flavor: Sour and tangy.
- Nutritional Benefits: Rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and dietary fiber. Supports immune function and digestive health.
9. Dangleberry
Dangleberry is a small, round, dark purple fruit that grows in clusters. It is often used in jams, sauces, and beverages.
- Origin: Native to the Southeastern United States.
- Flavor: Sweet and tangy.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in antioxidants and Vitamin C. Supports immune health and skin health.
10. Dekopon
Dekopon is a seedless, easy-to-peel citrus fruit with bright orange skin. It is larger than most oranges and has a sweet, juicy flesh.
- Origin: Originated in Japan.
- Flavor: Sweet and tangy.
- Nutritional Benefits: Rich in Vitamin C, Potassium, and fiber. Supports immune health and skin health.
11. Desert King Fig
Desert king fig is a large, greenish-yellow fruit with a thick skin and a vibrant pinkish interior. It grows on a hardy fig tree and is typically eaten fresh or dried, often used in jams and desserts.
- Origin: Native to The United States, particularly in desert regions.
- Flavor: Sweet and honey-Like.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in fiber, antioxidants, and calcium. Promotes digestive health and supports bone strength.
12. Dabai
Dabai is a small, round, dark purple fruit with a thick skin and sticky pulp. It is typically used in local dishes, often pickled or made into sauces and salsas.
- Origin: Native to Borneo, Southeast Asia.
- Flavor: Rich and slightly tangy.
- Nutritional Benefits: High in antioxidants, fibre, and essential minerals. Supports digestion and boosts immune health.
13. Double Coconut
Double coconut, also known as the “coco de mer,” is a large, distinctive fruit with two seeds that resemble coconuts. It is often used for ornamental purposes or in traditional medicine.
- Origin: Native to the Seychelles.
- Flavor: Mild and slightly sweet.
- Nutritional Benefits: Contains healthy fats and is believed to support hydration and skin health.
Rare Fruits that Start with D
14. Decaisnea
Decaisnea, also known as “blue bean,” has long, bean-like pods with a smooth, waxy surface and a blue-green color. It is eaten fresh or used in jams and desserts due to its mildly sweet taste.
- Origin: Native to Asia
- Flavor: Mildly sweet
- Nutritional Benefits: Contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
15. Dacrycarpus Dacrydioides (kahikatea)
The Fruit of the Kahikatea is small, green, and grows in clusters on large evergreen trees in tropical rainforests. It is used in local food and medicinal preparations.
- Origin: New Zealand
- Flavor: Mild, slightly sweet
- Nutritional Benefits: Contains antioxidants and is a source of dietary fiber
16. Desert Quandong
Desert Quandong is a small, bright red to orange fruit with a hard pit inside. It is typically used in traditional recipes for jams, sauces, or medicinal purposes in indigenous cultures.
- Origin: Native to Australia
- Flavor: Sour and tart
- Nutritional Benefits: High in Vitamin C, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties
17. Dracontomelon
Dracontomelon is a small, oblong fruit with a thin, green skin and a yellow pulp. It is typically eaten fresh or used to make beverages in some tropical regions.
- Origin: Found in Southeast Asia and Tropical Areas
- Flavor: Mildly sweet and tangy
- Nutritional Benefits: High in Vitamin C and fiber
18. Darwin’s Barberry
Darwin’s barberry has small, round, bright red berries and is often found growing on shrubs. These berries are used in sauces, jams, and medicinal teas.
- Origin: Native to the Australian outback
- Flavor: Tart
- Nutritional Benefits: Packed with antioxidants and vitamins
19. Dateplum
Dateplum is a small, round fruit with dark brown, wrinkled skin. It is mainly used to make desserts, jams, and traditional syrups in certain cultures.
- Origin: Europe and Asia
- Flavor: Sweet, similar to dates
- Nutritional Benefits: High in dietary fiber and antioxidants
20. Diospyros Virginiana
Diospyros Virginiana, or American Persimmon, has orange to reddish-brown, round fruits with a smooth skin and soft, mushy flesh when ripe. It is used in pies, jams, and baked goods.
- Origin: Native to North America
- Flavor: Sweet when fully ripe
- Nutritional Benefits: Rich in fiber, Vitamins A and C, and antioxidants
21. Desert Watermelon
Desert watermelon has a tough, green rind with bright, vibrant pink flesh. The fruit thrives in arid climates and is often used as a refreshing snack or in fruit salads.
- Origin: Found in dry, desert areas
- Flavor: Sweet and refreshing
- Nutritional Benefits: Contains hydration properties, Vitamins A and C
22. Draksha
Draksha, also known as grapes in certain regions, is a small, round, and juicy fruit that grows in clusters. It is commonly eaten fresh, used in making raisins, or fermented to produce wine.
- Origin: Commonly Found in temperate regions
- Flavor: Sweet and tart
- Nutritional Benefits: High in Vitamins C and K, antioxidants, and fiber
Wrapping Up!
Now you have the full picture of fruits that start with D – from everyday favorites to unique finds from around the world.
Next time you’re at the grocery store or farmers market, why not look for one of these D-fruits you haven’t tried before? Durian might be a bold challenge for the brave, while dates make a sweet treat that’s easy to find year-round.
Adding different fruits to your diet isn’t just about new flavors – it’s about bringing variety to your nutrition too. Each fruit carries its own mix of vitamins and benefits.
If you were looking to win your next word game or simply wanted to know what other fruits are out there, we hope this list has given you some tasty new options to enjoy!
