The letter X produces one of the shortest fruit lists in English. Unlike letters such as A, B, or M, only a handful of fruits begin with X, and several names come from Chinese, Greek, or Indigenous languages. Below you’ll find the best-known examples, from xigua and ximenia to xoconostle.
Ximenia (Wild Plum)
Ximenia is a small fruit produced by thorny shrubs that grow across parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Although it’s often called the wild plum, it belongs to a different plant family.
Taste: Tart when picked early, becoming sweeter as it ripens.
Interesting fact: Ximenia seeds contain an oil used in cosmetics and traditional medicine throughout several African countries.
Xoconostle
Unlike the sweet prickly pears sold in many supermarkets, xoconostle is intentionally sour. It’s harvested from several prickly pear cactus species and plays an important role in Mexican cuisine.
Taste: Tart, refreshing, and slightly citrus-like.
Often used in: Soups, sauces, stews, salsas, and drinks.
Xigua
Xigua (西瓜) is the Mandarin Chinese word for watermelon. Although it isn’t a separate species, the name appears in dictionaries, language resources, international markets, and alphabetical fruit lists.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, and refreshing.
Did you know? China produces more watermelons than any other country in the world.
Xylosma Fruit
Several species of Xylosma produce small edible berries, although they’re rarely grown commercially.
Taste: Sweet with a lightly tart finish.
Interesting fact: Outside the regions where the shrubs grow naturally, many people have never encountered xylosma fruit.
Xiangzao Jujube
Xiangzao is a fragrant variety of Chinese jujube, sometimes called the Chinese date.
Taste: Sweet and chewy, especially after drying.
Where it’s popular: Northern China.
Xiaotian Lychee
Xiaotian is one of many cultivated lychee varieties grown in southern China.
Taste: Sweet, juicy, and floral.
Interesting fact: China has cultivated lychees for more than 2,000 years.
Grape Varieties That Start With X
These grapes are fruits, although they’re better known for winemaking than for eating fresh.
Xarel·lo
A white grape variety grown mainly in Catalonia, Spain. It’s one of the principal grapes used to produce Cava, Spain’s famous sparkling wine.
Xinomavro
One of Greece’s best-known red wine grapes. Its name translates as “sour black,” reflecting the grape’s naturally high acidity.
A Short List, but an Interesting One
The letter X doesn’t produce many fruit names, but each one has its own story. Ximenia has been valued for both its fruit and seed oil, xoconostle remains an important ingredient in Mexican cooking, and xigua reminds us that fruit names can change from one language to another. Together, they show that even the smallest alphabetical lists can introduce foods from very different cultures and traditions.
Curious about what else the letter X has to offer? Take a look at our collection of positive words that start with X for another surprisingly short, but memorable, alphabetical list.
