16 Fruits That Start With Z

Zucchini is a summer squash often served as a vegetable, although it is technically a fruit. Originating from Central America and Mexico, it comes in various colors, including green, golden yellow, and bright yellow.

As for the shapes, they are long and thin to egg-shaped forms. Its outer skin tastes grassy and earthy, but inside, it’s watery, slightly sweet, and mild.

Known as “courgette” in British English and “baby marrow” in South Africa, zucchini is ideal for steaming, grilling, or roasting.

Zill mango is a tropical fruit developed in Lake Worth, Florida, by Lawrence Zill in 1940, blending the Haden and Bombay mango varieties.

Noted for its juicy, minimally fibrous texture, this mango sports a green-yellow skin with hints of purple or red, covering sweet, aromatic flesh.

Zill mangoes mature around June to early July but aren’t suited for long storage.

Zestar apple is an apple variety bred in 1999 at the University of Minnesota, also known as minnewashta. These apples are crisp and flavorful even when stored.

They offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart, packed with nutrients and dietary fiber. They are great for enjoying fresh, baked, or in pastries for a burst of juicy delight.

Zinfandel grape is a dark-skinned grape variety that originated in Croatia. Known for producing high-alcohol wines, including the pink-white Zinfandel, these grapes are cherished for their high sugar content.

These grapes offer a sweet profile and spice notes.

Zabergau reinette apple is a German heirloom variety known for its greenish-yellow and russet skin. These medium to large apples have sandy-textured skin and dense flesh.

In terms of flavors, these apples have a sweet, tangy flavor that becomes sweeter with storage. They’re now popular in Europe and North America, favored for desserts, pies, and sauces.

Zebra melon, also known as French cantaloupe, is a round or oval fruit. This melon belongs to the same family as tomatoes, having a waxy and rough peel of gray or green color.

It has an outside netted texture, while the inside flesh is juicy, aromatic, and sweet. Grown across Europe, Northern Africa, and Southeast Asia, zebra melons are high in water content, with a floral aroma and sweet juiciness.

Zwetschge, also known as prune plum or sugar plum, is a small, oval-shaped fruit with smooth skin that ranges from dark red to almost black. Its sweet golden-yellow to green-yellow flesh is dense.

Popular in Mediterranean regions, Austria, and Hungary, it ripens in late summer to early fall. The plum is cherished for making jams, prunes, and European baked goods.

Zweigelt grape is a purplish-red fruit developed in Austria by Dr. Friedrich Fritz Zweigelt, initially named Rotburger. Grown across Austria and in countries like Canada and New Zealand, it’s known for its high tannin content.

The grape is a cross between the St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch varieties. This grape is perfect for crafting full-bodied wines, with rich, Pinot-like flavors of raspberries and spiced cherries, complemented by pleasant acidity.

Zalzalak is a vibrant fruit in Iran’s northwest and grown in North America, North Africa, and Asia. Resembling a crabapple in size and sporting a light pink to red hue, this berry-sized fruit offers a sweet-sour taste.

They are ideal for fresh consumption or for making jams, jellies, and wines.

Zig zag vine fruit is a unique wild fruit from Maritime Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and parts of Australia. These are peanut-sized, oblong-shaped fruits, and the red or orange-red skin encases tangy flesh.

For some, the fruits are like orange sherbet, popularly used in sauces and liqueurs.

Ziziphus mauritiana fruit, also known as Chinese date or Indian plum, is a small, delicious fruit originating from South Asia. Its wrinkly, thin skin encloses chewy, sweet, white flesh with a pleasant aroma.

When mature, the fruit changes from green to yellow, then red. Found on large shrubs and trees, these fruits are available mainly from January to March, best for enjoying raw or dried into candies and desserts.

Zhe fruit, also known as che fruit, Chinese mulberry, or Mandarin melon berry, is a fruit that sprouts in late spring or early summer in East Asia. Its wrinkled, raspberry-like exterior boasts a chewy flesh.

Zhe fruit tastes like cantaloupe or watermelon, making it a delight to enjoy fresh. The fruit is a popular pick for adding to smoothies or tossed in salads.

Zawngtah is an Indian fruit with various names, such as bitter beans or stink beans. These beans have a flat, long shape, resembling almonds in size and flavor.

Interestingly, they also possess a distinct mushroom-like aroma. This versatile legume-like fruit goes well with proteins like shrimp, along with garlic, peppers, and other spices.

Zawngtah is commonly used in savory dishes, including stir-fries and Asian delicacies. Furthermore, the seeds can be eaten alone or with the entire pod.

Zante currant is an ancient raisin variety. Originating from the black corinth grape, these tiny, seedless fruits have thin skins.

Named after the Ionian island of Zakynthos (Zante), they were once primarily produced there.

Now cultivated in Greece, Australia, South Africa, and America, these reddish-black, sweet currants are meticulously cared for and commonly used dried in baked goods from British cuisine like Christmas puddings and fruitcakes.

Zapote, also known as red mamey or mamey sapote, is a juicy fruit originating in Central America and Southern Mexico. This fruit has a soft and sweet profile.

With a round shape, deep-brown peel, and reddish-orange flesh, zapote offers a distinctive taste reminiscent of sweet potatoes, pumpkin pies, and caramel, making it perfect for jams, ice creams, and smoothies.

Zarzamora is the Spanish term for blackberries, found widely across Europe and North America, particularly in Spain and Mexico. These dark-colored berries are juicy and sweet, yet sometimes have a sour taste.

Ideal for pastries, jams, and sauces, zarzamoras vary, with some types thornless and others having large thorns.