Searching for fruits that start with D? This alphabet food guide covers the familiar, the seasonal and the slightly unusual, from dried dates in the baking aisle to damsons at the end of summer and dragon fruit in the supermarket exotic fruit section.

Some D fruits are easy to find in the UK, while others are more likely to appear in specialist grocers, world food shops or frozen form. Below, you will find what each fruit tastes like, how to use it, and a few Reduced Grub-style tips for saving money and cutting waste.

Quick list of fruits that start with D

Here are some of the best-known edible fruits beginning with the letter D:

• Date
• Damson
• Dragon fruit
• Durian
• Dewberry
• Duku
• Davidson’s plum
• Desert lime
• Dekopon
• Dancy tangerine
• D’Anjou pear
• Discovery apple
• Dabai
• Doum palm fruit
• Dead man’s fingers fruit
• Dracontomelon
• Desert quandong

Fruits beginning with D at a glance

1. Date

Dates are one of the easiest D fruits to find in the UK. They are the fruit of the date palm and are usually sold dried, although fresh dates do appear in some specialist shops. Their flavour is rich, sticky and caramel-like, which makes them useful when you want sweetness without reaching straight for refined sugar.

Popular varieties include Medjool dates, which are large and soft, and Deglet Nour dates, which tend to be firmer and slightly less expensive. Dates are lovely stuffed with peanut butter, chopped into porridge, blended into energy balls or used in sticky toffee pudding.

Money-saving tip

Buy dates in larger bags from the world foods aisle if you use them often. If they start to dry out, soak them in warm water for 10 minutes before blending or baking.

2. Damson

Damsons are small, dark purple fruits related to plums. They are not usually eaten raw because they can be sharp and tannic, but cooked with a little sugar they become beautifully rich and fruity. If you like plum jam, you will probably enjoy damson jam even more.

In the UK, damsons are usually associated with late summer and early autumn. You might find them at farm shops, markets, pick-your-own sites or from neighbours with a productive tree. They are excellent in crumbles, chutneys, fruit leathers, compotes and homemade damson gin.

Practical uses for damsons

• Simmer with sugar for a simple compote to spoon over yoghurt.
• Use in place of plums in a crumble or cobbler.
• Cook down into a sauce for pork, duck or sausages.
• Freeze whole damsons and remove the stones after cooking, when the flesh softens.

3. Dragon fruit

Dragon fruit, also called pitaya, is one of the most eye-catching fruits that start with D. It has bright pink or yellow skin and speckled flesh that can be white, pink or deep magenta. The taste is usually gentle rather than intense, a little like a mild pear crossed with kiwi.

It is best eaten chilled and ripe. Slice it in half, scoop out the flesh with a spoon, or peel and cube it for fruit salad. The tiny black seeds are edible and add a little crunch.

How to choose dragon fruit

Look for fruit that feels heavy for its size and gives very slightly when pressed. Avoid fruit with lots of shrivelled patches or wet, bruised areas. Dragon fruit can be pricey, so it is worth buying only when reduced or when you have a clear plan for using it.

4. Durian

Durian is famous for its strong smell and creamy flesh. It is a divisive fruit: some people adore its custard-like texture and complex sweet-savoury flavour, while others find the aroma too much. In the UK, durian is most often found frozen in Asian supermarkets, either whole, in segments or as pulp.

It can be eaten fresh once thawed, blended into desserts, used in pancakes or made into ice cream. If you are trying it for the first time, start with a small amount rather than buying a whole fruit.

Food storage note

Durian has a powerful aroma, so keep it well wrapped in the fridge and use it promptly once defrosted. Always follow the storage instructions on the packet if buying frozen durian.

5. Dewberry

Dewberries look and taste similar to blackberries, but they grow on low trailing brambles rather than upright canes. They are sweet, tart and juicy, and can be used in much the same way as blackberries.

If you have access to safe, legal foraging spots, dewberries can be turned into crumbles, jams, syrups and pies. As with any foraged food, only pick what you can confidently identify, avoid polluted areas and wash the fruit well before eating.

6. Duku

Duku is a small tropical fruit related to langsat and longkong. It has pale, segmented flesh inside a yellowish-brown skin. The taste is usually sweet and lightly tangy, with a refreshing grape-like quality.

You peel duku by gently pressing or nicking the skin, then separating the segments. Some segments may contain bitter seeds, so it is best to avoid biting down hard. Duku is usually eaten fresh and is most likely to be found in South East Asian grocers when in season.

7. Davidson’s plum

Davidson’s plum is an Australian native fruit with a striking deep red or purple flesh. Despite the name, it is not the same as a European plum. It is very tart, so it is normally cooked or sweetened rather than eaten straight from the hand.

It works well in jams, sauces, desserts, sorbets and drinks. In the UK, you are unlikely to find fresh Davidson’s plum in an ordinary supermarket, but you may come across it as a puree, powder, jam or ingredient in specialist products.

8. Desert lime

Desert lime is another Australian native fruit. It is small, green and intensely citrusy, with a sharp lime flavour. It is used in marmalades, sauces, chutneys, drinks and desserts.

Fresh desert limes are not common in UK shops, but preserved versions, powders or jams may appear online or in specialist food stores. If you see them reduced, they are worth trying in place of ordinary lime in dressings and marinades, but use a small amount first as the flavour can be punchy.

9. Dekopon

Dekopon is a sweet, seedless citrus fruit originally developed in Japan. It is large, easy to peel and has a distinctive bump at the top. You may see similar premium citrus sold under different names depending on the grower and country.

The flavour is usually very sweet and juicy, making it ideal for eating fresh. Because Dekopon-style citrus can be expensive, it is best enjoyed when on offer or as a treat fruit rather than a lunchbox staple.

10. Dancy tangerine

Dancy tangerine is an older tangerine variety with a bright citrus flavour. It has been used in breeding other mandarins and tangerines, so you may not always see it labelled clearly in UK shops.

If you do find Dancy tangerines, use them like any other easy-peel citrus. They are good in fruit bowls, packed lunches, salads, cakes and marmalades. The zest can also be grated and frozen for later, which is a tiny but useful way to avoid waste.

11. D’Anjou pear

D’Anjou pears, often simply called Anjou pears, are a firm, juicy pear variety. They can be green or red and are known for holding their shape well, which makes them handy for cooking as well as eating fresh.

Use D’Anjou pears in poached pear recipes, pear tarts, salads with blue cheese, or sliced into porridge. If they are still hard, leave them at room temperature until the neck gives slightly when pressed.

Budget tip for pears

Reduced pears are often perfect for cooking. Cut away any bruised bits, then stew the rest with a splash of water and a little cinnamon. Freeze in portions for porridge toppings or quick desserts.

12. Discovery apple

Discovery is a British early-season apple variety, usually available from late summer. It has a red skin, crisp flesh and a sweet-sharp flavour. Some Discovery apples have a pretty pink flush inside, which looks lovely in fruit salads.

They are best eaten fresh, but slightly soft apples can still be cooked down into apple sauce, compote or cake. If you see a good deal on British apples in season, they are often better value and better tasting than out-of-season imports.

13. Dabai

Dabai is a fruit from Borneo, sometimes nicknamed the black olive fruit because of its appearance. It has dark skin and a rich, creamy flesh when properly prepared. It is commonly softened in warm water before eating and may be served with salt or soy sauce.

Fresh dabai is rare in the UK, but it belongs on a comprehensive list of fruits beginning with D because it is a well-loved regional fruit. If you ever come across it in a specialist setting, ask the seller for preparation advice.

14. Doum palm fruit

Doum palm fruit comes from a palm tree found in parts of Africa and the Middle East. The fruit has a fibrous texture and a sweet, gingerbread-like flavour. It is often dried and used to make drinks.

In the UK, doum is more likely to be found dried in Middle Eastern or North African shops than fresh. It can be steeped to make a refreshing drink, often sweetened to taste.

15. Dead man’s fingers fruit

Dead man’s fingers is the dramatic common name for the fruit of Decaisnea fargesii, also known as blue sausage fruit. The long blue pods contain a translucent jelly-like pulp that is edible, although the fruit is more of a curiosity than an everyday ingredient.

It is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. If trying unusual garden fruits, make sure you have identified the plant correctly and only eat the parts known to be edible.

16. Dracontomelon

Dracontomelon is a tropical fruit found in parts of Asia and the Pacific. The fruits are typically greenish to yellow and can be sour, so they are often used in soups, sauces, pickles and savoury dishes rather than eaten like a sweet dessert fruit.

You are unlikely to spot fresh dracontomelon in a mainstream UK supermarket, but it may appear in preserved or regional products. It is a useful reminder that not all fruits are sweet; many are used as souring agents in cooking.

17. Desert quandong

Desert quandong is an Australian native fruit with a tart flavour and a bright red skin. It is sometimes called native peach, although its flavour is sharper than a typical peach. The fruit is used in jams, sauces, pies and desserts.

Fresh desert quandong is uncommon in the UK, but dried fruit or preserves may be available from specialist suppliers. Its tartness means a little can go a long way in sauces and compotes.

Best D fruits for everyday UK shopping

If you are making a shopping list and want fruits beginning with D that are realistic to buy without hunting around, start with these:

• Dates: good value, long-lasting and useful in sweet and savoury dishes.
• Damsons: seasonal but excellent for batch cooking and preserving.
• Dragon fruit: easy to find in larger supermarkets, especially when on offer.
• D’Anjou pears: practical for snacks, baking and poaching.
• Discovery apples: a lovely British seasonal choice.
• Dekopon or tangerines: worth buying when reduced or in season.

How to save money on fruits that start with D

Some D fruits are everyday bargains, while others are expensive imports. Here are practical ways to keep costs down:

• Check the reduced section: dragon fruit, pears, apples and citrus are often discounted when ripe.
• Use frozen or dried fruit: frozen durian or dried dates can be better value than fresh exotic fruit.
• Buy seasonal British fruit: damsons and Discovery apples are usually best when they are in season.
• Preserve a glut: turn damsons into jam, compote or chutney before they spoil.
• Use every usable bit: citrus zest can be frozen, soft pears can be stewed, and date soaking water can be added to smoothies.
• Share unusual fruit: if you want to try durian or dragon fruit, split the cost with a friend rather than risking waste.

Food safety and storage tips

Fruit is generally straightforward to handle, but a few sensible habits help keep it fresh and safe to eat:

• Wash fresh fruit under running water before eating, cutting or cooking.
• Keep cut fruit covered in the fridge and eat it within a couple of days.
• Do not eat fruit that is mouldy, slimy or smells fermented unless it is a food intentionally fermented under safe conditions.
• Take care with stones, pits and hard seeds, especially when serving fruit to children.
• For foraged fruits such as dewberries, only pick from safe areas and only eat fruit you can identify confidently.
• Follow packet instructions for frozen or dried fruits, including defrosting and storage guidance.

FAQs about fruits that start with D

What is the most common fruit that starts with D?

Dates are probably the most common fruit that starts with D in UK shops. They are sold in most supermarkets, usually dried, and are used for snacking, baking and cooking.

What is a purple fruit beginning with D?

Damson is a purple fruit beginning with D. It looks like a small plum and is usually cooked into jams, sauces, crumbles and compotes because it can be quite tart when raw.

What tropical fruits start with D?

Tropical fruits that start with D include dragon fruit, durian, duku, dabai and dracontomelon. Some are easy to find in specialist grocers, while others are rare in the UK.

Is dragon fruit expensive in the UK?

Dragon fruit can be more expensive than everyday fruits such as apples, bananas and pears because it is imported and delicate. Look for reduced stickers, offers or smaller fruit if you just want to try it.

Can you eat damsons raw?

You can eat ripe damsons raw, but many people find them too sharp. They are at their best when cooked with a little sugar in jam, compote, crumble or sauce.

Are dates fresh or dried fruit?

Dates can be fresh, semi-dried or dried, but most dates sold in UK supermarkets are dried or semi-dried. They still count as fruit and are naturally very sweet.

Which fruits that start with D are best for baking?

Dates, damsons, D’Anjou pears and Discovery apples are all good for baking. Dates add sticky sweetness, damsons bring tartness, pears soften beautifully, and apples work well in cakes, crumbles and pies.

What is the best D fruit for a lunchbox?

Discovery apples, D’Anjou pears, dates and easy-peel citrus such as Dancy tangerines are the most practical lunchbox choices. Dragon fruit is tasty but messier once cut.

A simple way to remember D fruits

If you only need a short answer, remember the everyday five: dates, damsons, dragon fruit, durian and dewberries. For a broader alphabet foods list, add duku, Davidson’s plum, desert lime, Dekopon, D’Anjou pear and Discovery apple. Some are supermarket staples, some are seasonal gems, and a few are specialist fruits worth trying if you spot them at a good price.