Discover the Sweet World of Fruits That Start with C

Fruits come in all shapes, sizes, and flavors. The world of fruits is endless, from the tropical cacao used in chocolate to the tangy cactus pear. This time, we’re exploring fruits that start with C. There’s something for everyone, from exotic flavors like the carambola to the common cardamom spice. So, indulge in the sweet and tangy world of fruits that start with C.

Check the table of content for the entire list.

Cacao

Cacao, also known as cocoa, is a tropical fruit widely used in chocolate production. The fruit is native to Central and South America and grown in Brazil, Ecuador, and the Ivory Coast. Cacao pods are large and have a tough outer shell, with numerous seeds used to make chocolate.

Cactus pear

Cactus pear, or prickly pear, is a fruit from the Opuntia cactus. The fruit is native to Mexico but is now grown in many other parts of the world, including the Mediterranean and southwestern United States. The fruit has a tough outer skin covered in spines that you must remove before eating. Inside, the fruit is juicy and sweet, with a mild flavor that is often compared to that of watermelon.

Calabash

Calabash, also known as bottle gourd, is a fruit that is native to Africa but is now grown in many other parts of the world, including Asia and South America. The fruit is known for its distinctive shape, resembles a bottle and is often used as a container or musical instrument. The fruit has a tough outer skin, which needs to be removed before eating, and inside, there is a soft, white flesh that is mild in flavor and slightly sweet.

Calamansi

Calamansi, known as calamondin, is a small citrus fruit native to Southeast Asia. It is a hybrid of kumquat and mandarin with a flavor profile blending sour, tart, and slightly sweet notes. The fruit is small and round, similar to a large cherry, and has a thin, aromatic peel rich in essential oils. Calamansi is a popular ingredient in Filipino and Indonesian cuisine, used as a souring agent in dishes such as adobo, sinigang, and sambal.

Camu camu

Camu camu is a small fruit native to the Amazon rainforest of South America. It is known for its exceptionally high vitamin C content, around 30 times more than oranges. Camu camu has a tart, tangy flavor and is often consumed in the form of juice, powder, or capsules as a natural supplement to boost the immune system and improve overall health. The fruit is also used in traditional Amazonian medicine to treat various ailments, such as inflammation, infections, and digestive issues. Camu camu is also gaining popularity as an ingredient in natural skincare products due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

Canistel

Canistel, also known as eggfruit, is a tropical fruit that is native to Mexico and Central America but is now grown in many other tropical regions around the world. It has yellow-orange skin and soft, creamy flesh with a sweet and mellow flavor, often compared to a sweet potato or pumpkin pie. The fruit is typically eaten fresh or used in desserts, such as ice cream or custards.

Caper

Caper is a small, tangy fruit commonly used as a condiment in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. It is the unripe flower bud of the caper plant, which is harvested by hand and then pickled or preserved in salt. Capers often add a salty, briny flavor to sauces, dressings, and salads. They are also a rich source of antioxidants and flavonoids, believed to have health benefits.

Capulin Cherry

Capulin cherry, also known as Prunus salicifolia, is a small, sweet fruit native to Mexico and Central America. The fruit has bright red skin and a juicy, slightly tart flesh often used in desserts and jams. Capulin cherry is also a rich source of vitamins A and C and other antioxidants and flavonoids that can help protect against chronic diseases.

Cara Cara Orange

Cara Cara orange is a type of navel orange known for its sweet and juicy flesh, which has a distinctive pinkish-red color. This fruit is a good source of vitamins C and A, fiber, and potassium. Cara Cara oranges are often eaten fresh but can also be used in salads, smoothies, and other recipes.

Carambola

Carambola, also known as starfruit, is a tropical fruit that is native to Southeast Asia but is now grown in many other parts of the world. It has a distinctive star shape and yellow-green skin that is edible. The flesh is crisp, juicy, and slightly sweet and tangy. Carambola is a good source of vitamins C and A, fiber, and potassium and is often eaten fresh or used in salads, jams, and other recipes.

Caranda

Caranda, also known as Brazilian cherry, is a tropical fruit that grows in southern Brazil. The fruit is small and round, with a bright red or yellowish skin that is tough and inedible. The flesh inside is juicy, slightly tart, and filled with tiny seeds. The fruit is often used to make jams, jellies, and other preserves. It is also a popular ingredient in Brazilian cuisine, where it is used to flavor ice cream, cakes, and other desserts.

Cardamom

Cardamom is a spice that comes from the seeds of several plants in the ginger family. The seeds are small and black, and they have a strong, pungent flavor and aroma. Cardamom is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, where it is used to flavor curries, stews, and other dishes. It is also used in baking, where it is a common ingredient in cakes, cookies, and other desserts. In addition to its culinary uses, cardamom is also believed to have medicinal properties, and it is used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.

Carissa

Carissa is a genus of small trees and shrubs native to Africa, Asia, and Australia. The fruit of the carissa plant is small and round, with a tough, waxy skin that is purple or reddish. The flesh inside is juicy and sweet, similar to a cranberry. The fruit is often used to make jams, jellies, and other preserves, and it is also a popular ingredient in African and Asian cuisine. In addition to its culinary uses, carissa is also used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments.

Carnauba fruit

Carnauba fruit is a type of palm fruit that is native to Brazil. The fruit is small and round, with a tough, woody shell that is difficult to open. Inside the cover is a small amount of white, fleshy fruit high in oil content. The oil from the carnauba fruit is used to make carnauba wax, which is used in various industrial and cosmetic products. In addition to its industrial uses, carnauba fruit is also eaten as a food in some parts of Brazil.

Cashew fruit

Cashew fruit is a tropical fruit that is native to Brazil. The fruit is small and pear-shaped, with yellow or reddish skin that is tough and inedible. The flesh inside is juicy and sweet, similar to a mango. The fruit is often used to make juice and other beverages and is also a popular ingredient in Brazilian cuisine. The cashew nut is the seed of the cashew fruit, usually roasted and eaten as a snack.

Casimiroa

Casimiroa, also known as the white sapote, is a sweet, creamy fruit native to Mexico and Central America. The fruit has thin, yellow-green skin and white, juicy flesh with a sweet, custard-like flavor. It is often eaten fresh or used in desserts, smoothies, and ice cream.

Cassabanana

Cassabanana is a tropical fruit with a bright yellow, oblong-shaped exterior and a sweet, juicy, orange-colored interior. It is grown in various parts of the world, including South America and Africa, and is often used in juices and smoothies. The fruit has a mildly sweet flavor, often compared to a combination of cantaloupe and honeydew melon.

Cat’s Eye Fruit

Cat’s eye fruit, also known as the longan fruit, is a small, round fruit native to Southeast Asia. It has brown, leathery skin and a translucent, juicy interior with a single seed in the center. The fruit is sweet and slightly tart, similar to lychee or grape. It is often eaten fresh but can also be used in desserts, jams, and other dishes.

Cempedak

Cempedak is a tropical fruit closely related to jackfruit and native to Southeast Asia. It has a large, spiky exterior and yellow flesh that is soft and sweet when ripe. You can eat it raw or cooked (used in desserts, curries, and other dishes). Cempedak’s unique flavor is often described as a combination of mango and banana with a hint of durian.

Ceriman

Ceriman, also known as Monstera deliciosa, is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America. It is a unique fruit that grows on a climbing vine and is closely related to the philodendron. The fruit is large and has a green exterior with hexagonal scales covering its surface. Once the scales are removed, the fruit reveals a creamy white flesh that is sweet and juicy. The fruit has a distinctive aroma and is often used in desserts, smoothies, and salads.

Chalta Fruit

Dillenia indica, also known as elephant apple, is a large evergreen shrub or small to medium-sized tree that can grow up to 30m tall with a crooked and irregular trunk. The plant has large 15-20cm flowers with five white petals and large greenish-yellow fruits that are 5-12cm in diameter and consist of 15 carpels, each containing five seeds embedded in an edible but fibrous and glutinous pulp. The chalta produces large hard fruits that are only accessible to megaherbivores, such as elephants, which are important seed dispersers. The fruit pulp is sour and used in Indian cuisine for curries, jams, and jellies.

Charichuela

The charichuela, or Garcinia madruno, is a fruit tree species native to Central and South America, with a fruit resembling a shriveled lemon that has a sweet, citrusy taste. It is adaptable to various soils and takes 5-7 years to fruit, but it requires protection from frost when young and does not bear fruit in cold areas. Despite its delicious taste, the fruit is not well-known outside South America. However, there are a few backyard growers in South Florida.

Chayote

Chayote is a pear-shaped fruit that is native to Mexico but is now grown throughout the world. The fruit has a green exterior with smooth skin, and the flesh inside is white and crisp. Chayote is often used in salads, stews, and soups and is also a popular vegetable in many cuisines. This fruit is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, making it a healthy addition to any diet.

Cherimoya

Cherimoya is a sweet and creamy fruit native to the Andes Mountains in South America. The fruit has a green exterior with a scaly surface; the flesh is white and creamy. Cherimoya has a sweet and tangy flavor and is often used in desserts, smoothies, and ice creams. The fruit is also a good vitamin C and fiber source, making it a healthy addition to any diet.

Cherry

Cherry is a small, sweet fruit that is native to Europe and Asia but is now grown throughout the world. The fruit has a bright red exterior and sweet, juicy flesh. Cherries are often used in desserts, jams, and sauces and are eaten raw as a healthy snack. The fruit is a good source of antioxidants and other nutrients, making it a healthy addition to any diet.

Chocolate vine fruit

Chocolate vine fruit, also known as five-leaf Akebia, is a fruit that grows on a deciduous vine native to East Asia. The fruit is elongated and typically three to six inches long, with a thick, purplish-brown skin that encases a white, pulpy interior filled with small, edible seeds. The flavor is described as sweet and mildly tart, with a faint floral aroma.

Chokecherry

Chokecherry is a small fruit native to North America commonly used for its tart flavor in jams, jellies, and syrups. The fruit is usually a deep red or purple with a slightly bitter taste. Despite its name, the chokecherry is not poisonous, but the unripe berries can cause stomach upset if eaten in large quantities. The fruit is also rich in antioxidants and traditionally used for medicinal purposes.

Christmas berry

Christmas berry, also known as the Australian holly, is a small fruit native to Australia and the surrounding islands. The fruit is typically bright red and has a slightly tart taste. Christmas berry is commonly used as decorative plant during the holiday season due to their bright red color. It is also used in traditional medicine for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the plant can be invasive in certain areas and can pose a threat to native wildlife.

Chrysophyllum

Chrysophyllum is a genus of tropical fruit trees native to Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The fruit is usually round or oval in shape and has smooth, shiny skin that can range in color from green to purple. The fruit’s flesh is typically white or yellow and has a sweet, juicy flavor. Chrysophyllum fruits are often eaten fresh or used to produce juices, jams, and preserves. The trees are also valued for their solid and durable wood used in construction and furniture-making.

Cider gum

Cider gum, also known as the silver dollar tree, is a eucalyptus native to Australia. When crushed, the tree gets its name from the cider-like scent of its leaves. The fruit of the cider gum is a woody capsule that contains numerous tiny seeds. While the fruit is not typically consumed, the tree is valued for its ornamental qualities and is often used in landscaping.

Cinnamon apple

The Cinnamon apple, also known as the cinnamon spice apple, is a type of apple that is flavored with cinnamon and other spices. The fruit is typically sliced and used in desserts such as pies and crisps or as a healthy snack. Combining the sweet, juicy apple and cinnamon’s warm, spicy flavor makes for a delicious and satisfying treat.

Citron

Citron is a large fragrant citrus fruit that has a thick and rough textured rind. The fruit is known for its intense aroma, primarily from the essential oils in its shell. Citron has been used in various ways for centuries, from being used as a perfume ingredient to being used as a natural medicine.

Clementine

Clementine is a small, seedless, easy-to-peel citrus fruit hybrid of a mandarin and sweet orange. The fruit has a glossy, bright orange exterior and sweet, juicy flesh that is easy to separate into segments. Clementines are often enjoyed as a snack and a popular fruit in winter.

Cloudberry

Cloudberry is a golden-yellow fruit native to the Northern Hemisphere, particularly in arctic and subarctic regions. This fruit is a good source of vitamins A and C and antioxidants. The flavor of cloudberry is described as tart and sweet, with a unique aroma that is sometimes compared to a mango. Cloudberry is often used in jams, jellies, and other desserts.

Cocoa Plum

Cocoa Plum is a small fruit native to the Caribbean and Central and South America. The fruit is about the size of a cherry and has a rugged, woody shell that encases sweet and juicy flesh. The flavor of cocoa plum is described as a cross between a fig and a prune, and the fruit is often eaten fresh or used in jams and preserves.

Coconut

Coconut is a tropical fruit known for its hard shell and sweet, milky flesh. The fruit is a good source of vitamins and minerals, including potassium and magnesium, and is also high in fiber. Coconut is often used in cooking, baking, and drinks like coconut water and coconut milk. The oil extracted from the fruit is also used in various beauty and skincare products.

Coconut berry

The coconut berry is a tropical fruit that grows on the coconut palm tree, also known as the Cocos nucifera. It is a small, round fruit, typically 2-3 centimeters in diameter, and has a hard, woody outer shell. Inside, the fruit is filled with white, fibrous pulp and a single seed. Coconut berry is often used in traditional medicine and is believed to have various health benefits.

Coffee cherry

The coffee cherry is a fruit that grows on coffee trees, which are native to the highlands of Ethiopia. The fruit is typically a deep red or purple color and is about the size of a grape or cherry. The coffee cherry is not commonly eaten but is used to make coffee. The seeds of the fruit, also known as coffee beans, are removed and roasted to make coffee.

Cohune nut

The cohune nut is a fruit that grows on the cohune palm tree, native to Central and South America. It is a large, hard-shelled nut up to 10 centimeters in diameter. The cohune nut is a valuable food and oil source for people in the Amazon rainforest. The nuts are harvested and roasted before being eaten or used to make oil.

Concord grape

The Concord grape is a purple grape variety used primarily for making grape juice, jams, and jellies. It is a slip-skin grape, meaning you can separate the skin from the pulp. The grape is named after Concord, Massachusetts, which was first cultivated in the mid-19th century. Concord grapes are rich in antioxidants and have a sweet and tangy flavor.

Cornelian cherry

The Cornelian cherry is a fruit-bearing shrub native to Europe and Western Asia. The fruit is small, round, and red, typically 1-2 centimeters in diameter. The Cornelian cherry is often used to make jams, jellies, and fruit syrups. It is also used in traditional medicine and is believed to have various health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving digestion.

Crab apple

The crab apple is a small, tart apple often used in cooking and preserves. It is a deciduous tree or shrub native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The fruit is small, usually 2-3 inches in diameter, and ranges in color from yellow to deep red. The fruit’s flesh is hard and sour but is often used to make jams, jellies, and sauces.

Cranberry

Cranberries are small, tart berries commonly used in juices, sauces, and baked goods. They grow on low-lying shrubs in bogs and wetlands in North America. The fruit is typically harvested in the fall and is often associated with Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cranberries are high in vitamin C and are known for their ability to prevent urinary tract infections.

Custard apple

The custard apple is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America. It has green, scaly skin and creamy, sweet flesh often used in desserts and drinks. The fruit is high in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants and is believed to have several health benefits, including reducing inflammation and improving digestion.

Cutleaf ground cherry

Cutleaf ground cherry is a small, yellow fruit native to North America. It grows on a low-lying plant often found in meadows and along roadsides. The fruit is encased in a papery husk and has a sweet, tart flavor. It is often used in jams and preserves and is also eaten fresh. The plant is related to the tomatillo and is sometimes called the wild tomatillo.