Trying to name fruits that start with E is harder than it sounds. Apples, bananas and strawberries come to mind quickly, but E is a trickier letter. Still, there are more edible fruits beginning with E than you might expect, especially once you include regional names, heritage varieties and a few unusual tropical picks.

This guide covers well-known, rare and specialist E fruits, with notes on flavour, how they are usually eaten, and where you might find them in the UK. Some are everyday supermarket buys under a variety name, while others are more likely to appear in world food shops, specialist greengrocers, gardens or foraging books.

Quick List of Fruits That Start With E

Here are some of the best examples of fruits beginning with E:

• Elderberry
• Emblic, also called amla or Indian gooseberry
• Eggfruit, also called canistel
• Elephant apple
• Etrog, a type of citron
• Entawak
• Evergreen huckleberry
• Eastern mayhaw
• Eastern teaberry
• Elaeagnus berries
• Emu apple
• Emu berry
• European pear
• European plum
• Egremont Russet apple
• Enterprise apple
• Empire apple
• Envy apple
• Elberta peach
• Emperor grape
• Edward mango

Fruits Beginning With E: Taste, Uses and Buying Tips

The table below gives a quick overview before we look at each fruit in more detail.

1. Elderberry

Elderberry is probably the most familiar fruit that starts with E in the UK. These small, dark purple-black berries grow in clusters on elder trees and ripen in late summer to early autumn.

They have a strong, slightly tart flavour and are rarely eaten plain. They shine when cooked with sugar and other fruits. Elderberries work well in:

• elderberry syrup
• jam and jelly
• fruit compote
• autumn crumbles
• homemade cordial

Food safety note: elderberries should be cooked before eating, and you should avoid the leaves, stems and unripe berries. If foraging, only pick what you can identify confidently and leave plenty for wildlife.

Money-saving tip: elderberries are often free if you forage safely and legally. Freeze the cooked berries or syrup in small portions so none goes to waste.

2. Emblic, or Amla

Emblic, more commonly sold as amla or Indian gooseberry, is a small greenish fruit with a famously sharp taste. It is sour, slightly bitter and quite astringent, so it is not usually eaten like a dessert fruit.

Amla is widely used in Indian cooking and traditional preparations. You may find it fresh, frozen, dried, powdered, candied or preserved in brine. In the kitchen, it is often used for:

• spiced pickles
• chutneys
• tangy drinks
• sweetened preserves
• curry accompaniments

In the UK, look for amla in South Asian grocers, larger international supermarkets or online. Frozen amla can be better value than fresh if you only need a small amount at a time.

3. Eggfruit, or Canistel

Eggfruit is the common name for canistel, a tropical fruit with golden-yellow flesh and a texture often compared with cooked egg yolk or firm custard. That might sound unusual, but the fruit is sweet, rich and pudding-like when fully ripe.

It is native to parts of Central America and is grown in warm climates. You are unlikely to see eggfruit in a regular UK supermarket, but it may appear through specialist fruit sellers.

Eggfruit is best used in creamy or blended recipes, such as:

• milkshakes and smoothies
• ice cream
• custard-style desserts
• cakes and muffins
• sweet spreads

If you get hold of one, let it ripen until it gives slightly when pressed. Underripe eggfruit can be dry and chalky.

4. Elephant Apple

Elephant apple is a large, hard fruit from South and Southeast Asia. It is not an apple in the usual sense, but it gets its name from its size and its popularity with elephants in some areas where it grows.

The fruit has a sour, tangy flesh and is often cooked rather than eaten fresh. It is used in chutneys, curries, pickles and savoury dishes, especially in parts of India and Bangladesh.

In the UK, elephant apple is rare. If you do come across it in a specialist shop, treat it more like a sharp cooking fruit than a sweet snack fruit.

5. Etrog

Etrog is a variety of citron, a fragrant citrus fruit with a thick rind, bumpy skin and relatively little juicy flesh. It is especially known for its use during the Jewish festival of Sukkot.

As a cooking ingredient, etrog is valued more for its aromatic peel than its juice. Like other citrons, it can be used for:

• candied citrus peel
• marmalade
• citrus syrup
• infused sugar
• liqueurs and homemade extracts

Etrog can be expensive and seasonal, so it is not a budget everyday fruit. For similar flavour in a recipe, use unwaxed lemon peel, citron peel or a mix of lemon and grapefruit zest.

6. Entawak

Entawak is a tropical fruit related to jackfruit and breadfruit. It grows in parts of Borneo and nearby regions. The fruit has spiky skin and orange flesh, with a sweet flavour that is sometimes compared with pumpkin, mango or jackfruit.

It is not a common UK fruit, but it belongs on a comprehensive list of fruits that start with E because it is a recognised edible fruit. If you enjoy tropical fruits such as durian, jackfruit and cempedak, entawak is one to know about, even if you have to travel to try it fresh.

7. Evergreen Huckleberry

Evergreen huckleberry is a small dark berry native to the west coast of North America. It looks a little like a blueberry, though the taste can be more intense, tart and aromatic.

The berries are used in many of the same ways as blueberries:

• pies
• jams
• pancake toppings
• muffins
• sauces for desserts

Fresh evergreen huckleberries are hard to find in Britain, but dried huckleberries or huckleberry preserves may be available from specialist importers. Blueberries or bilberries make the easiest substitute.

8. Eastern Mayhaw

Eastern mayhaw is a small red fruit related to hawthorn. It grows in parts of the south-eastern United States and is especially known for mayhaw jelly.

The raw fruit is usually sharp and not especially exciting to eat fresh, but it cooks down into a bright, fruity jelly with sugar. If a recipe calls for mayhaw and you cannot find it, try crab apples, hawthorn berries or a mix of apple and cranberry for a similar tart quality.

9. Eastern Teaberry

Eastern teaberry, also known as wintergreen, produces small red berries with a distinctive minty flavour. The berries are edible and have traditionally been used for flavouring in parts of North America.

They are not a normal supermarket fruit, and the flavour is stronger and more herbal than sweet. Think of them as a specialist berry rather than something to put in a fruit salad.

10. Elaeagnus Berries

Elaeagnus is a plant genus that includes edible berries such as goumi and autumn olive. The berries are usually red or speckled and can be sweet-tart when ripe.

Some people grow Elaeagnus shrubs in gardens or hedges, and the fruit can be made into:

• jam
• fruit leather
• syrup
• sauces

As with any garden or wild berry, proper identification matters. Do not eat berries from ornamental shrubs unless you are certain of the species and that it is edible.

11. Emu Apple

Emu apple is an Australian native fruit. It is small, purple to black when ripe, and has been eaten by Aboriginal communities. The flavour is often described as tart or plum-like, depending on ripeness and variety.

You are unlikely to find fresh emu apples in UK shops, but they are part of the wider world of native Australian bush foods. They may appear in specialist preserves, sauces or bush food products.

12. Emu Berry

Emu berry is another Australian bush fruit. Names can vary by region and plant species, so it is worth checking the exact product if buying anything labelled emu berry. Like many wild fruits, it tends to be more valued locally than traded internationally.

For UK cooks, this is more of an interesting alphabet food than a practical weekly shop item. If you enjoy learning about unusual fruits, it sits neatly beside quandong, riberry and muntries.

Everyday Fruits and Varieties That Start With E

Some fruits starting with E are not separate species but named varieties. These are often the easiest E fruits to buy in the UK, especially apples, pears, plums, peaches, grapes and mangoes.

13. European Pear

The European pear includes many of the pears commonly sold in UK supermarkets, such as Conference, Comice and Williams. The fruit can be crisp when firm or soft and juicy when ripe.

Pears are useful budget fruits because they work in sweet and savoury dishes. Try them:

• sliced into porridge
• baked with cinnamon
• served with cheese
• chopped into salads
• poached in leftover fruit juice

Waste-saving tip: if pears ripen too quickly, chop and freeze them for smoothies or crumbles.

14. European Plum

European plum covers many familiar plum types, including Victoria plums and damsons. These fruits are excellent for cooking, preserving and freezing.

When plums are reduced at the end of the day, buy a few punnets and make a simple compote. Cook with a splash of water and a little sugar until soft, then use on yoghurt, pancakes or rice pudding.

15. Egremont Russet Apple

Egremont Russet is a classic English apple with rough, russeted skin and a distinctive nutty flavour. It is firm, aromatic and less sugary-tasting than some modern apples.

It is lovely eaten fresh, but it also works well with mature Cheddar, pork dishes, Waldorf-style salads and simple baked apples. Look for it in farm shops, markets and larger supermarkets during the British apple season.

16. Enterprise Apple

Enterprise is a red apple variety bred to store well and resist disease. It has a firm texture and a sweet-tart flavour, making it a decent all-rounder for eating and cooking.

If you see Enterprise apples in a mixed bag or at a farm shop, they are useful for lunchboxes because they hold their shape well and do not bruise as easily as softer varieties.

17. Empire Apple

Empire apples are crisp, red and sweet with a little tang. They were developed from McIntosh and Red Delicious apples and are popular in North America.

They are good for snacking, salads and baking where you want apple pieces to keep some bite. In the UK, they are not as common as Gala or Braeburn, but you may spot them from time to time.

18. Envy Apple

Envy is a modern apple variety with a sweet flavour, crisp flesh and attractive red skin. It is often sold as a premium apple, so it can be pricier than standard supermarket bags.

For better value, buy Envy apples loose only when the price is reasonable, or save them for eating fresh rather than cooking. For crumbles and sauces, cheaper British apples usually do the job perfectly.

19. Elberta Peach

Elberta is a well-known peach variety with yellow flesh and a sweet, juicy flavour when ripe. It is often used for canning and preserving as well as eating fresh.

Peaches are best bought in season when they smell fragrant and yield slightly to gentle pressure. If they are still firm, leave them at room temperature for a day or two, then refrigerate once ripe.

20. Emperor Grape

Emperor grapes are large red grapes with firm flesh. They are often eaten fresh, but grapes also freeze surprisingly well.

Frozen grapes make a cheap snack and can be used to chill drinks without watering them down. Wash, dry and freeze them on a tray before tipping into a freezer bag.

21. Edward Mango

Edward is a mango variety known for its rich, sweet flavour and smooth texture. Mango varieties can be confusing in UK shops because they are not always labelled clearly, but named varieties sometimes appear in specialist grocers.

If mangoes are reduced because they are very ripe, peel and chop them straight away. Freeze the pieces for smoothies, lassi, sorbet or quick fruit sauces.

Best E Fruits for Cooking on a Budget

Some E fruits are rare and expensive, but others are genuinely useful for cheap meals, snacks and preserving.

• Best for foraging: elderberries, if identified safely and cooked properly.
• Best for autumn puddings: Egremont Russet apples and European plums.
• Best for sharp chutneys: emblic, elephant apple or firm cooking apples.
• Best for lunchboxes: Enterprise, Empire and Envy apples.
• Best for freezing: grapes, mango pieces, pears, plums and cooked elderberries.

How to Save Money When Buying Unusual Fruits

Alphabet food lists can tempt you into buying pricey ingredients just for the novelty. That is fun occasionally, but it is worth being practical.

• Check world food shops first. Fruits such as amla are often cheaper in Asian grocers than through specialist online sellers.
• Buy frozen when possible. Frozen amla, mango and berries can be better value and reduce waste.
• Use substitutes. If a recipe calls for etrog, unwaxed lemon peel may be far cheaper. If you cannot find huckleberries, use blueberries or bilberries.
• Shop seasonally. British apples, pears and plums are usually best value in season.
• Preserve reduced fruit. Turn soft plums, pears and apples into compote, crumble filling or freezer bags for smoothies.

FAQs About Fruits That Start With E

What fruit starts with the letter E?

Elderberry is one of the best-known fruits that starts with E. Other examples include emblic, eggfruit, elephant apple, etrog, entawak, evergreen huckleberry and Egremont Russet apple.

Is elderberry safe to eat?

Elderberries are generally eaten cooked. Avoid eating the leaves, stems and unripe berries. If foraging, only pick elderberries if you are completely confident in your identification.

What is eggfruit?

Eggfruit, also called canistel, is a tropical fruit with yellow-orange flesh and a dense, custard-like texture. It is sweet when ripe and is often used in smoothies, desserts and baking.

Is amla a fruit that starts with E?

Yes. Amla is also known as emblic or Indian gooseberry, so it counts as a fruit beginning with E. It has a very sour, sharp taste and is often used in pickles, chutneys and preserves.

Are there any common supermarket fruits that start with E?

Yes, especially if you include fruit varieties. Egremont Russet, Enterprise, Empire and Envy are apple varieties. European pears and European plums are also familiar fruits that start with E by name.

Which E fruit is best for jam?

Elderberries, European plums, evergreen huckleberries and Elaeagnus berries can all be used for jam. Elderberry is particularly good mixed with apple or blackberry to balance its strong flavour.

What can I use instead of etrog?

For most home cooking, use unwaxed lemon peel, citron peel or a mix of lemon and grapefruit zest. Etrog has its own aroma, but these substitutes are much easier and cheaper to find in the UK.

Which fruits that start with E are easiest to grow in the UK?

Elder is common in hedgerows and gardens, while apples such as Egremont Russet can be grown in suitable UK gardens. Pears and plums are also realistic options if you choose a variety suited to your space and local conditions.

More Alphabet Food Ideas

If you are working through alphabet foods with children, planning a quiz, or building a themed shopping list, E is a surprisingly interesting letter. Start with easy options such as elderberries, European pears, European plums and Egremont Russet apples, then add unusual fruits like emblic, eggfruit and etrog for something a bit different.