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There are many unique fruits that start with U and this list includes some of the most interesting and exotic fruits in the world.
From Ugli Fruit, Urava Fruit, and Umbu Fruit, there a quite a few fruits that start with U on this list that you may not have heard of before.
So let’s dig in!
Ugli Fruit (Jamaican tangelo)
The first of the fruits that start with U is the Ugli fruit. Also known as uniq fruit, the ugli fruit is a unique citrus fruit grown mainly in Jamaica.
It’s a cross between an orange, tangerine, and grapefruit with flavor and texture that is sweet yet tangy with a bitter taste and a very juicy flesh.
The Ugli fruit is strongly associated with Jamaican cuisine, which is why it is also known as the Jamaican Tangelo, and it’s a popular ingredient in many famous dishes of the region.
The zest of this unusual citrus can be used to give an extra burst of flavor to sauces and salads alike. The flesh makes for a great addition juicing and smoothies as well as jams and jellies.
The Ugli Fruit, with the scientific name of Citrus Reticulata, is highly nutritious too, packed with essential vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to keep you healthy and strong.
Urava Fruit (Mangrove Apple)
The next fruit that starts with the letter U is the Urava Fruit. Also known as the mangrove apple, is an exotic tropical delicacy found near mangrove swamps. Grown in the southern hemisphere and primarily exported from countries like Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru, this crunchy fruit is a delicacy to behold.
It’s creamy white flesh can be enjoyed raw or juiced for a refreshing beverage. The Urava Fruit tree has light gray bark and dark green leaves with silver-colored undersides and small flowers that give off an earthy fragrance of alba.
The fruit itself is round, and oval-shaped and has a unique texture that’s somewhere between a grape and an apple. It can be combined with coconut milk for a delicious milkshake.
Umbu Fruit
The Umbu fruit is native to the tropical savannas of Brazil, and is prized for its refreshing tart taste. Umbu fruit grows in the Caatinga, a type of semi-arid tropical vegetation.
The small, round, green, yellow, or orange-colored fruits are not only tasty but also full of health benefits.
Also known as the Brazil plum, it can be added to jams and fruit cheese and you can eat Umbu fruit raw.
A single cup of umbu contains more vitamin C than an orange, along with generous amounts of fiber, folate, and potassium.
It’s also known to be packed with powerful antioxidants, that can help protect against inflammation and play an important role in heart health.
Related: Tropical Fruits You Need to Try
Ububese Fruit (Dwarf Custard Apple)
The next of the fruits that start with U is the Ububese Fruit, also known as the dwarf custard apple or African custard apple.
The Ububese fruit tree is widely grown in the tropical regions around Africa, and the fruit has a unique flavor combining notes of tartness and sweetness.
Its white flesh is creamy and smooth, often served chilled or blended into a smoothie for added refreshment during summer months.
The tropical fruit can also be cooked with vegetables or made into jams and sauces for a variety of creative dishes. Aside from its great taste, the Ububese Fruit is rich in vitamins A, C, and E as well as iron.
Related: African Fruits you Need to Try
Usuma Fruit (Peanut Butter Fruit)
The Usuma Fruit, or Peanut Butter Fruit as it is sometimes known, boasts some truly unique characteristics.
Native to South America, this remarkable fruit starts with a dark green skin when unripe, then has a bright red skin when ripe.
On the weirder end of the U fruits , the Usuma Fruit packs a flavorful punch – each piece of fruit tastes like creamy peanut butter!
The Usuma Fruit not only looks and tastes great, but it is also incredibly nutritious. This versatile fruit can easily be consumed as a snack or made into jams and jellies – making it an excellent addition to any diet!
Ugni Fruit (Ugni Berries)
Ugni fruit is a white, red, or purple berry native to Chile and Peru with a sweet-tart flavor.
Also known as Chilean guava or Cascadilla, ugni fruit has been used in traditional dietary and medicinal practices for centuries.
Ugni berries, with their natural sweetness, have a crunchy textured skin surrounding their juicy, seedy center. Ugni fruit is versatile in flavor pairings and can be enjoyed fresh, cooked, dried or frozen in pies, jams, jellies, and piquant drinks.
In addition to adding delicious flavor to recipes, Ugni fruit has significant health benefits making it one of the healthiest fruits that start with U. Also know as strawberry myrtle.
Related: Fruits that Start with T
Ume Fruit
Ume fruits have been beloved by many cultures for centuries. An edible fruit, and commonly referred to as the Japanese plum, these oddly-shaped stone fruits have a sour, tart flavor that can be enjoyed when eaten fresh or used in recipes such as umeboshi, a traditional pickled plum found in Japanese cuisine.
Umeboshi fruit is high in compounds such as citric acid, malic acid, and glucuronic acid, which provide the characteristic sour taste and tartness of the fruit while also balancing digestion and pH levels.
Over the years different cultivars of ume have turned up with different skin and flesh colors outside of their familiar yellowish hue.
It was one of my favorite fruits that start with U on my food travels through Japan.
Related: Fruits That Start With W
Uva Rara Grapes
Uva Rara Grapes are a type of Italian winemaking grape that is dense, yet brightly colored with pleasant aromas.
The flavor profile of Uva Rara grapes usually consists of notes of red berries, a hint of herbs, and sometimes even mint.
They are usually grown in small plots in the Lombardy region of Italy, where it is known as Croatina or ‘Pignoletto’. Wines from Uva Rara grapes tend to be light bodied, low tannin and semi-sparkling.
Uva rara grape means rare grape in Italian.
Uvalino Grape
Uvalino, an antioxidant-rich red wine grape originating from northwest Italy’s Piedmont region, has recently gained notoriety for its potential to improve health and provide benefits far beyond everyday libations.
Deriving its name from the dialectal term “uvario”, a descriptor of minor blending varieties with small berries, the Uvalino grape is poised to become one of Italian winemaking’s most promising components!
Winemaking? One of my favorite fruits that begin with U.
Uva Tosca Grape
The Uva Tosca grape is a black fruited variety, developed in Italy and often used to produce high-quality table wines.
It is one of the few domesticated varieties with a full cluster shape and is popular due to its intense aroma and rustic flavor.
This dark grape varies seasonally in size, but typically has an oval or cylindrical shape along with a thick skin that is juicy and sweet.
Often blended into varietals such as Montepulciano or Sangiovese, Uva Tosca provides unique characteristics that help make Italian wine so sought after worldwide.
Umbra Fruit
The unique and beloved umbra fruit has tantalizing flavors that impress any palate. When still green, it has a crunchy texture, and it is often enjoyed raw with a pinch of salt or shrimp paste – however, its flavor blooms when fully ripe!
Its sweet taste is reminiscent of pineapple or star fruit, making for delightful jams, fruit salads, and chutneys as well as savory cooked dishes.
Uvilla Fruit
The Uvilla Fruit. Also known as Fruits of the Incas, it is a small-sized round fruit that belongs to the Phoenicaceae family.
Native to South America, it is usually dark green when unripe and bright yellow-orange when ripe.
Uvilla has a unique sweet and tangy flavor and it can be eaten raw or added as an ingredient to savory dishes.
The health benefits associated with consuming this fruit are quite impressive. It contains vitamins A and C which can boost immunity and help maintain vision health.
Uvilla Fruit is also rich in dietary fiber, antioxidants and beta-carotene which might be valuable in reducing inflammation in the body while aiding digestion.
Ukrainian Heart Tomato
The last of our fruits that start with U, the Ukrainian heart tomato is an heirloom tomato renowned for its unique shape and intense flavor. Originating in the Ukraine, this tomato variety consists of large, beefsteak-type tomatoes that have an elongated heart-shape and deep red color.
Its juicy texture, combined with its low acidity levels, make it an ideal choice for fresh Mediterranean soups, salads, or sandwiches.
Summary of Fruits That Start with U
From Ugli Fruit through to Uvilla Fruit, we have seen a diverse and interesting set of fruits that begin with U. While most can be eaten raw, many can be made into wonderful tasting jams and preserves.
Of course, these are not all the fruits that start with the letter U, and I’d be happy to hear from you about others that you have tried.
Related – other “fruits that start with” series
