10 Fruits That Start With X (Watch out for #10!)

Even though the letter X isn’t known for its abundance of words in English, there are a few fruits that start with X.

I had to borrow some fruit names from other languages and use scientific terms to present you with the best collection of X fruits.

It isn’t so bad to learn some Chinese words along the way, right?

Here are 10 fruits that start with X in all their glory

This list of fruits starting with X includes only culinary items—things that you would actually eat. The first fruit to go is Xarel-lo grape, a rather unique name to learn.

Xarel-lo grape

Xarel-lo (pronounced “sha-rel-lo”) is a white grape variety produced in northern Spain’s Penedès region of Catalonia. It’s one of three grapes used to make Cava, Spain’s Champagne.

Cava blends benefit from Xarel-lo’s acidity and structure. It adds lemon, grapefruit, flowery, and herbal tastes. Even in warm regions, the grape retains acidity, making sparkling wines possible.

Besides Cava, Xarel-lo makes still white wines. These wines are fuller-bodied and richer, with ripe fruit flavors and minerality. Some Penedès winemakers have been experimenting with barrel fermentation and aging to create more rich and layered Xarel-lo wines.

The scientific name for the species is Vitis vinifera. 

Xiangjiao

“Xiangjiao” is Mandarin Chinese for “banana.” Bananas are a popular tropical fruit globally.

Bananas include vitamin C, vitamin B6, potassium, magnesium, and dietary fiber. They’re a nutritious snack full of natural sugars.

Bananas are eaten fresh and cooked. They can be added to cereals, smoothies, or baked items like banana bread. Southeast Asian and Latin American cuisines employ bananas in savory recipes.

The botanical name for the species is Musa acuminata.

Xigua

Mandarin Chinese “xigua” means “watermelon.” Watermelon is a summertime favorite fruit.

Watermelons have thick green skin that encloses juicy, pink or red flesh with black seeds (seedless variants are available). They’re very hydrating since they’re mainly water.

Watermelons include potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin A. Lycopene, a potent antioxidant, gives them their red color.

Due to its cooling and hydrating properties, watermelon is used in many cuisines and eaten during picnics, barbecues, and other outdoor events.

“Xigua” fruit goes by the scientific name Citrullus lanatus.

Ximenia americana

Ximenia americana is an Olacaceae flowering plant. Other common names are tallow wood, hog plum, yellow plum, or sea lemon. It grows in tropical regions, especially in Africa and South America.

The tree bears tiny, round or ovoid fruits after fragrant yellow blooms. They have delicious, acidic flesh and become yellow or orange when mature.

These X fruits can be eaten fresh or made into jams, jellies, and drinks. It’s also used for its medicinal properties.

Ximenia americana has oil-rich seeds and fruit. The emollient and nourishing oil is extracted and utilized in cosmetics including moisturizers, soaps, and hair care products.

Ximenia americana is also a popular landscape tree due to its lovely leaves and blossoms.

Ximenia caffra

Ximenia caffra, often known as sour plum, is an Olacaceae flowering plant. It’s native to South Africa, Swaziland, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe.

Ximenia caffra’s sour plums are edible but acidic. When mature, the fruits can be green, yellow, or orange. A firm stone surrounds a thin skin and juicy, acidic flesh.

In traditional African cuisine, Ximenia fruit is eaten fresh or made into preserves, jams, and drinks.

The bark, leaves, and roots of the tree are utilized for traditional African medicinal purposes. The oil from the sour plums is also used for emollient and nourishing properties in cosmetics.

Ximenia caffra fruit tree is often a landscape treasure due to its fragrant flowers and attractive leaves.

They may have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects.

Besides its culinary and therapeutic purposes, Ximenia caffra is frequently cultivated as an ornamental. The tree’s lovely foliage, fragrant blooms, and colorful fruits make it a good option for landscaping and gardens.

Xìng zi

Mandarin Chinese “xìng zi” means “apricot.” Apricots are tiny, spherical fruits from the Prunus family with delicious, juicy flesh.

Apricots are produced worldwide and harvested in summer. Central Asia is where apricots were first cultivated.

Fruit salads, baked dishes, preserves, and desserts employ fresh as well as dried apricots for taste and nutrition.

Vitamins A and C, as well as potassium and fiber, can be found in quite high concentrations in apricots. Its antioxidant content also contributes to its general health benefits.

“Xing zi” is called Prunus armeniaca in the scientific community.

Xinomavro grape

Xinomavro is a red grape grown in Naoussa, Amyndeon, and Goumenissa, Greece. The name “xinomavro” means “sour black” in Greek, referring to the grape’s strong acidity and dark skin.

Xinomavro grapes produce rich, robust red wine. Depending on the winemaking method and terroir, Xinomavro wines have various flavors. They can include notes of cherries, red berries, plums, sun-dried tomatoes, dry herbs, and earthiness.

Due to its ability to produce high-quality, age-worthy wines, Xinomavro is sometimes compared to Italian Nebbiolo and Burgundy Pinot Noir. It’s one of Greece’s noble grape types and is well-known worldwide.

Xoài

The Vietnamese word for mango is “xoài.” Mango is a popular tropical fruit because of its sweet and juicy flesh.

It originally came from South Asia, but it’s now cultivated all over the world where the temperature is right.

Mangoes are delicious raw, in fruit salads, smoothies, or in sweet dishes like mango sticky rice or mango sorbet. They’re also used in savory dishes such as salads, pickles, and accompaniments to seafood in Vietnamese cooking.

Mangoes are an excellent source of several nutrients, including vitamins C and A, as well as fiber and antioxidants.

The botanical name of “xoài” is Mangifera indica.

Xoconostle

Xoconostle is the fruit of the Nopal cactus (Opuntia matudae). It’s a Mexican staple.

Xoconostle cactus fruit has thick, rough skin that is usually green or reddish. The fruit’s glochids must be removed before eating.

The xoconostle’s firm, delicious flesh ranges in color from pale yellow to vivid crimson, depending on variety and maturity.

The Xoconostle fruit has a tart, tangy taste. It’s used in Mexican salsas, sauces, and drinks. The fruit provides vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants to meals.

Xylocarpus granatum

Xylocarpus granatum, the cannonball mangrove, cedar mangrove, or puzzlenut tree, is a Meliaceae tree. Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific Islands are its home.

Xylocarpus granatum’s big, spherical fruit resembles a coconut or cannonball. Its thick, woody shell is 10–15 centimeters (4–6 inches) in diameter.

Xylocarpus granatum wood is highly sought after due to its resistance to water and pests. It’s used for construction, boatmaking, furniture, and handicrafts.

Traditional medicine has utilized tree bark to treat skin diseases and fevers.

Although the Xylocarpus granatum fruit is said to be edible, it’s not popular as a food. The cool thing about the pulp of this fruit is that it turns blue when exposed to air (I saw it on YouTube).

If you decide to try this X fruit, make sure it’s ripe and watch out for any tingling sensation. It may cause an allergic reaction.

I hope you had great fun pronouncing these names! I sure did 😉

Which names of fruits were the most surprising to you? Share your favorite fruits that start with an X in the comments. 

If you’re looking for more interesting items, why not check out my list of foods starting with X or discover surprising X vegetables?

To learn more fruits of letters, you can check out my other posts, including common fruits that start with V, exotic fruit names beginning with U and many more.

These ideas can make your future trips to grocery stores more exciting!

If you wish to proceed in the alphabet, try fruits that begin with the letter N, fruits that start with O then fruits that start with Q!