Eating fruit is a delicious and refreshing experience and a crucial component of a healthy diet. But why should we pay attention to green fruits? Green fruits can be appreciated for their vibrant colors, crisp textures, and fresh flavors. They offer an abundance of nutrients and health benefits.
Packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber, most all green fruits nurture your body to the fullest.
What are the Best Green Fruits?
We have compiled a list of 20 amazing green fruits that you can easily add to your daily routine. Let’s take a glance at all the delicious fruits were going to talk about:
Green Oranges
Green Pluots
Green Papaya
Green Apples
Kiwi
Green Grapes
Green Lime
Avocado
Green Pears
Honeydew
Green Plums
Green Figs
Green Mangoes
Green Pineapple
Green Star fruit
Green Guava
Green Cherries
Green Olives
Green Persimmons
Green Guanabana
Let’s explain why these amazing green fruits made our top list.
1. Green Oranges
Green oranges are basically oranges that are not fully ripened. You would think wow, a sweet green orange, but honestly, they have more of a tart taste. They’re greenish-yellow or greenish-orange when they are picked. The skin feels thicker compared to a ripe orange. This unripe citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Both green oranges and a fully-ripened orange can offer these amazing benefits.
Do not be mistaken for green osage oranges.
Osage oranges are not commonly eaten by humans. The osage orange tree itself has more of a cultural significance. There is a lot more fun info found on the Osage Orange Tree here.
2. Green Pluots
Also known as plumcots, are a hybrid fruit that’s the perfect combination of a plum and apricot. They have a greenish color and are slightly sweet and tart. Green pluots, like plums and apricots, are packed with vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, and dietary fiber.
I can’t help but think of the TV show called Just Add Magic. My kids loved this show. Well, the main event happened at a pluot festival so now I always think of the show when I hear the word pluot.
3. Green Papaya
Just like green oranges, green papaya is an unripe papaya. They’re mild crisp and refreshing. Green papayas are rich in enzymes called papain and chymopapain, which help digestion.
4. Green Apples
My favorite green apples to enjoy are tarte and crisp. Who doesn’t love granny smith apples? Also packed with vitamins and minerals, green apples help keep you feeling full and help maintain a healthy gut.
A custard apple is another one of those green apples you can’t resist. With a crunchy white flesh, and more sweet than tart, custard apples can curb a sweet tooth. They’re creamy and have rough bumpy green skin. The custard apple almost tastes like a cross between a pineapple, mango, and banana. They’re really delish!
5. Kiwi
Also known as gooseberry, are green on the inside and fuzzy on the outside. They’re best to eat when ripe so they’re a bit soft, juicy with a little of tropical fruit and citrus taste. There are small black edible seeds that you will enjoy while eating. Kiwi fruit is packed with a ton of goodies like vitamins A, K. They also have a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and potassium.
6. Green Grapes
One of the more common green fruits to find are green grapes. They come in a few different sizes but are typically oval in shape. The skin looks translucent like pale green flesh and the inside is juicy. They’re packed with a lot of the same vitamins as the previous delicious green fruits from above (vitamins A, C & K). They also have a high water content so a perfect source for hydration.
7. Green Limes
You can find green limes at any major grocery store throughout the year. The flavor is a more tangy acidic taste and a squeeze in your favorite cocktail or added to a recipe is the perfect way to enjoy them. You can also zest the thin green rind for added flavor.
There are also key limes, also known as Mexican limes. Key limes to be a bit smaller and a bit sweeter. A famous Southern dessert that we all love is the key lime pie. Every summer we host a seafood boil and end the day with a locally made key lime pie.
8. Green Pears
Sweet and slightly tangy, the green pear can be enjoyed both unripe and ripe depending on your acquired taste. The texture can seem smooth and a bit gritty toward the core. Other common names for green pears are Anjou or Bartlett. They’re rich in fiber and other vitamins and antioxidants. If you’re looking to add something else to promote regular bowel movements, the green pear is great for promoting gut health.
9. Honeydew Melons
The larger of the melons, honeydew melons are sweet with a floral, honey-like taste. When choosing the right honeydew, pick one that feels heavy in weight. To make sure it’s not spoiled I’d recommend shying away from one that looks bruised, or wrinkled skin.
Honeydew Melons are rich in potassium, vitamin B6, folate, and dietary fiber. Like the green grapes we listed above, there is high water content that contributes to hydration.
10. Green Plums
Also known as greengages, green plums are a more tarte with a little sweetness. They’re typically smaller than a more common variety but equally as delish. Enjoy them more firm and slightly unripe, or let them sit out and soften a bit.
Sour green plums have a tangy, sweet flavor that gives your taste buds a lively and refreshing kick.
The green plum is high in fiber which is great for a healthy gut. They’re also packed with all the good vitamins like A, C & K as mentioned above in other green fruits.
11. Green Figs
Figs are my favorite of summer. Living in the south, we have a decent-sized fig tree that produces beautiful green figs. You want to pick them before they are ripe to be able to enjoy a green fig. They’re firmer and have almost a pear-like consistency. Some describe the flavor as a more earthy herbal taste.
Green figs are high in fiber and contain essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, and antioxidants.
12. Green Mangoes
Green mangoes are another fruit that is picked when unripe. They’re mostly grown in Southeast Asia. They have a more tangy, sour, and slightly acidic flavor. Not quite as sweet as a ripe mango, but they’re still delish. The texture of green mangoes is firm and crunchy, kind of like a crisp vegetable, with a minimal amount of juice.
Green mangoes are high in vitamin C and are also packed with fiber, vitamin A, vitamin E, potassium, and antioxidants.
13. Green Pineapple
Like a lot of the citrus fruits listed above, a green pineapple is an unripe pineapple. They’re pretty similar in appearance to a “normal” pineapple, except for the color and the flesh inside may be slightly firmer and less juicy compared to a fully ripe pineapple. Green pineapple can continue to ripen after being harvested. If left at room temperature, it will gradually develop a sweeter taste and softer texture as the natural sugars within the fruit convert.
It is a good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and bromelain, an enzyme known for its potential digestive benefits.
14. Green Star Fruit
Green star fruits have a vibrant green color with five pointed ridges that resemble a star. They are medium to large in size and have a waxy smooth skin. Star fruit is crisp and juicy just like an apple. They have a tangy and sweet taste depending on how ripe they are. Unripe will be more tangy and riper will be more sweet.
Green star fruits are low in calories and high in water content so help with hydration. Like most fruits listed, they also are rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
15. Avocado
Avocado skin can vary from light green to a dark purplish color, but the inside flesh is buttery and green. They’re packed with fiber, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C, potassium, and folate. High in monosaturated fats (the good fat), avocados have been shown to help lower cholesterol and improve overall health.
16. Green Guava
Also known as the raw guava, this fruit is picked early in its life to enjoy. They have an oval rough shape, are firm, and have a good crunch to them. When unripe the taste is more tangy and sour. As the green guava ripens, they become more sweet.
Green guavas are rich in fiber, vitamins, folate, and potassium.
17. Green Cherries
Green cherries are harvested when they are unripe and still firm. They are typically picked before they reach their full maturity to have a more tart and sour flavor. As cherries ripen, they undergo color changes, becoming darker and sweeter. Green cherries can be enjoyed while they are still green or allowed to ripen to enjoy as sweet fruit.
Green cherries are high in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium.
18. Green Olives
Green olives are typically plump, with smooth and shiny skin. They offer a tangy and briny flavor with a slightly bitter flavor. Green olives are a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated fats, which are beneficial for heart health. They provide dietary fiber, vitamin E, and other antioxidants. It’s important to note that olives are relatively high in sodium, so they should be consumed in moderation.
19. Green Persimmons
Also known as unripe persimmons, they are firm to the touch and may have a slightly more waxy skin texture. As they ripen, their color changes to a vibrant orange or reddish-orange. Known for their high levels of tannins, green persimmons give a puckering sensation in the mouth. It’s recommended as an edible fruit when fully ripen.
Green Persimmons are high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and various antioxidants. They are also low in calories and fat.
20. Green Guanabana
Also called soursop, has a spiky bright green outer skin with a somewhat prickly texture, a green guanabana is often described as heart-shaped or oblong shape. They are typically large and can weigh several pounds. The flesh of the fruit is white and creamy, with a custard-like texture.
Some traditional medicinal practices associate green guanabana with potential immune-boosting and anti-inflammatory properties.
What Is The Best Way To Eat Green Fruits?
Many of these fruits can be enjoyed as-is, simply by washing them and biting into them directly. This works well for fruits like green apples, green grapes, green plums, green figs, green cherries, and green limes.
If you prefer a liquid form, you can juice fruits like green apples, green grapes, green limes, green guava, and green kiwi to make refreshing and nutritious beverages.
Green fruits like green mangoes, green papaya, green guava, and green star fruit can be sliced, diced, or grated and added to salads or salsas for a burst of freshness and tanginess.
Some fruits, like green mangoes, green papaya, and green figs, can be used in cooking and baking. They can be incorporated into curries, chutneys, desserts, or even grilled dishes for a unique flavor experience.
Making a salad and mixing your fruits with delicious veggies is always a great thing to do.
FAQ About Green Fruits
Q: What are green fruits?
A: Green fruits are fruits that exhibit a green color when either unripe or ripe. Many green fruits are just as delicious and equally nutritious unripe as they are ripe.
Q: Are Mexican Sour Cucumbers a Fruit or Vegetable?
A: Mexican sour cucumbers are also known as cucamelon or Mexican sour gherkin. They are small fruit that resemble miniature watermelons or cucumbers. Even though they are considered a fruit, Mexican sour cucumbers are typically consumed as a vegetable and are commonly used in savory dishes.
Q: Are green tomatoes a fruit or vegetable?
A: Green tomatoes are classified as a fruit. It develops from a flower and contains seeds, which are defining characteristics of the fruit. However, the green tomato is often considered and used as a vegetable when preparing and cooking.
Conclusion
Green fruits offer a diverse range of flavors, from tangy and sour to mild and sweet.
Many green fruits, such as green mangoes, green papaya, and green figs, are commonly used in both savory and sweet dishes.
Green fruits like green grapes, green plums, and green apples provide a balance of tartness and sweetness, making them enjoyable as fresh snacks.
Some green fruits, such as green oranges, green limes, and green kiwi, are excellent sources of vitamin C and other essential nutrients, contributing to a healthy and balanced diet.
Whether you prefer the tang of sour plums, the tropical sweetness of green guava, or the crispness of green pears, exploring the world of green fruits can introduce you to unique and exciting flavors.
So, go ahead and explore the vibrant world of green fruits and elevate your taste buds to a whole new level.
Hello, I’m Jenna Hansen, the creator of ImpatientFoodie.com. As a mom of two, I know how hard it is to plan meals everyday, especially healthy, tasty, and interesting foods that the whole family will like.
This is what inspired me to create ImpatientFoodie.com. I wanted to share my recipes, and my love of good food with the world.
I hope that you love reading about our dishes as much as I have enjoyed making them, and start making a change to your lifestyle today with balanced, healthy, and oh-so delicious meals.
