8 Most Popular Ukrainian Fruits Grown Locally

While Ukrainian vegetables might often steal the spotlight, there are many beautiful Ukrainian fruits worth celebrating.

They’re eaten raw and used in pastries, salads, preserves and jams. They’re also packed with vitamins and nutrients to benefit your health.

So I’ll provide you with the essentials about fruits in Ukraine and popular ways to use them.

Most Popular Ukrainian Fruits

This list of fruits includes only the fruits grown in Ukraine.

If you’re looking for something more exotic, make a ‘U’-turn and check out fruits starting with the letter U. 

Now, back to Ukrainian fruits!

Apples

Apples are used in both sweet and savory recipes across Ukraine. It’s one of the most popular fruits in the country.

Apples are eaten raw, baked into pies, or cooked into compotes. You can also find them in salads or even pickled in jars.

Cherries

In Ukraine, summertime isn’t complete without cherries. They grow in every garden and grace every farmer’s market.

Cherries are a delicious addition to many sweets and drinks. I love cherry varenyky and enjoy cherry liqueurs—popular Ukrainian drinks with alcohol.

Ukrainian cuisine mostly uses sour cherries, which are perfect for cherry preserves, jams, and syrups.

Plums

Ukrainian plums are highly sought-after due to their versatility. They can be made into preserves, fermented into brandy, or just eaten fresh.

Plums are also made into prunes and can even be added to borshch (Ukrainian beetroot soup) in this form.

Berries

From strawberries and raspberries to blueberries and currants, Ukraine is a berry paradise. They’re served over breakfast porridge, folded into pastries and dumplings.

Melons

There are several sorts of melon grown in Ukraine, including cantaloupes, piel de sapo, and more. They’re cultivated predominantly in the southern regions.

Ripe melon has a sweet, almost honey-like taste. These fruits are great on their own, but they also make amazing salads and desserts.

Melons are in season from August to September.

Watermelons

Ukrainian watermelons are seasonal favorites. They grow mostly in the southern parts of the country where the climate is warmer.

The watermelon season kicks off in August. This fruit is enjoyed fresh or made into desserts and drinks for hydration.

In addition to being a refreshing fruit, watermelon is packed with numerous nutrients.

Grapes

The climate of Ukraine especially in the south is perfect for growing grapes. Ukrainian grapes are used to make wine, jams, and juices.

They also taste amazing in savory salads. I love a chicken salad with grapes and walnuts; it’s quite popular in Ukraine.

Apricots

Ukrainian apricots are a summertime treat. They’re eaten straight from the tree or cooked into pastries. Ukrainians also love apricot pickles and jams.

Apricot trees look beautiful when they’re in full bloom, and their fruit is a welcome addition.

Peaches

Peaches are used in desserts like peach pies, cobblers, and even ice cream. They can also be found in salads, grilled for a smoky flavor, or preserved in jars.

Pears

Ukrainian pears are a multipurpose fruit with a sweet and juicy flavor. They’re baked into tarts, poached in wine, or eaten raw.

Dried pear, similar to prunes, can add a smoky taste to a beet soup and other Ukrainian foods.

Citrus fruits have also found their way into Ukrainian cuisine, although they don’t grow here. The most popular ones are lemons and oranges.

You can also find many exotic fruits in Ukrainian markets thanks to imports. For example, bananas are readily available almost everywhere.

If you share my love for fresh fruit, be sure to pick some Ukrainian sweet recipes to try out their flavors.

Also, check out more traditional foods in Ukraine—I promise, they’re worth it!