You might be scratching your head trying to think of a fruit that starts with the letter X. After all, it’s not exactly a common starting letter for fruits! And it’s not just fruits—X is a weird letter for any word. (I once spent three hours searching for positive words that start with X, and let’s just say… the list I created was short.)
But believe it or not, Mother Nature didn’t completely skip over this awkward letter. There are a few fruits that start with X—some you might recognize, others so exotic they sound like they belong in a sci-fi novel.
Ximenia (Wild Plum or Tallow Wood)
What it is: Ximenia is a small fruit that grows on a shrub native to Africa, Asia, and parts of the Americas.
Where it grows: Mostly in tropical and subtropical regions, including South Africa and India.
Taste: Tart and slightly sour when unripe, but sweeter when fully mature. Some compare it to a plum or apricot.
Xoconostle (Sour Prickly Pear)
What it is: A less sweet, more acidic cousin of the prickly pear cactus fruit.
Where it grows: Primarily in Mexico, where it’s used in salsas, stews, and drinks.
Taste: Tangy and tart—think of a lemon crossed with a green apple.
Xigua (Chinese Watermelon)
What it is: “Xigua” (西瓜) is simply the Chinese word for watermelon.
Where it grows: China is the world’s largest producer of watermelons, but they’re grown in warm climates worldwide.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, and refreshing—just like the watermelon you already know and love.
Xango (Mangosteen – Sometimes Marketed as “Xango Juice”)
What it is: While “Xango” is actually a brand name for a mangosteen-based juice, mangosteen itself is a tropical fruit.
Where it grows: You’ll find this fruit originally growing in the tropical climates of Southeast Asia—places like Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
Taste: Sweet, creamy, and floral, often called the “queen of fruits.”
Xylosma Fruit
What it is: These are tiny, round fruits that grow on the Xylosma shrub.
Where it grows: Southeast Asia and some Pacific Islands.
Taste: Sweet-tart; sometimes used in juices and preserves.
Xiangjiao
What it is: The Chinese word for banana.
Where it grows: Widely grown in China and tropical climates around the world.
Taste: Soft and sweet—just like the common banana.
Xiangzao Jujube
What it is: A fragrant variety of jujube, also known as Chinese date.
Where it grows: China, particularly in dry regions.
Taste: Sweet, chewy, and rich like a date.
Xiaotian Lychee
What it is: A lychee cultivar known in China.
Where it grows: Subtropical China, especially Guangdong and Fujian.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, and floral.
Xoconostle
What it is: It’s a tangy twist on the classic prickly pear, known for its sour flavor.
Where it grows: Native to central Mexico.
Taste: Sour and citrusy, often used in Mexican cooking.
Xingren
What it is: The Chinese term for almond, referring to the fruit of the almond tree.
Where it grows: Cultivated across China, the Middle East, and California.
Taste: Nutty, slightly sweet.
Xylocarp
What it is: “Xylocarp” isn’t the name of a specific fruit but rather a type of fruit with a hard, woody outer shell—and one of the best-known examples is the coconut.
Where it grows: Found in mangrove forests and coastal tropical areas, especially Southeast Asia.
Taste: If we’re talking coconut, think creamy, subtly sweet, and nutty.
Xarello Grapes (sometimes spelled Xarel·lo)
What it is: A white grape mostly grown for making Spain’s famous sparkling wine, Cava.A white grape variety used primarily in Spanish sparkling wines, especially Cava.
Where it grows: Predominantly in the Penedès region of Catalonia.
Taste: Crisp and floral with a touch of spice—when eaten raw (which is rare), it’s tart and slightly astringent.
Xinomavro Grapes
What it is: A dark-skinned grape variety used mostly to make red wines. “Xinomavro” literally means “sour black” in Greek.
Where it grows: Mostly found up north in Greece, particularly around the Naoussa and Amyntaio areas.
Taste: Tart, acidic, and rich in tannins. When turned into wine, it’s often compared to Italian Nebbiolo—bold, earthy, and full of character.
Fun fact: While not typically eaten as a table grape, the fruit itself is technically a fruit starting with X!
If you’re ever in a trivia contest and get asked, “Name a fruit that starts with X,” your best bets are xigua, ximenia, or xoconostle. And if you ever come across a mangosteen juice labeled “Xango,” now you’ll know why!
