Looking for fruits that start with F? You’re in the right place. Some are everyday supermarket favourites, such as figs, Fuji apples and flat peaches. Others are a bit more unusual, like feijoa, finger lime and falsa berries.
This guide is part of our Alphabet Foods series and focuses on fruit names beginning with the letter F, including common fruits, named varieties and a few lesser-known edible fruits you might spot in greengrocers, world food shops or restaurant menus.
Fruits That Start With F: Quick List
Here’s a quick look at fruits beginning with F before we get into the details.
| Fruit | What it tastes like | Best used for |
|---|---|---|
| Fig | Sweet, jammy, honey-like | Snacks, salads, baking, chutney |
| Feijoa | Tropical, floral, pineapple-guava flavour | Scooping fresh, smoothies, crumbles |
| Finger lime | Sharp, citrusy, lime-like | Seafood, salads, cocktails, desserts |
| Flat peach | Sweet, juicy, less acidic than some peaches | Lunchboxes, grilling, fruit salads |
| Fuji apple | Crisp, very sweet, juicy | Snacking, packed lunches, salads |
| Fuyu persimmon | Sweet, mild, slightly honeyed | Eating fresh, salads, baking |
| Forelle pear | Sweet, crisp when firm, aromatic | Cheese boards, lunchboxes, poaching |
| Fairchild tangerine | Sweet-tart mandarin flavour | Snacking, juice, marmalade |
| Falsa berry | Tangy, sweet-sour, berry-like | Drinks, syrups, chutneys |
| Fox grape | Musky, grapey, bold | Jellies, juice, wine-style drinks |
| Fraises des bois | Intensely sweet wild strawberry flavour | Desserts, garnishes, eating fresh |
| Fukushu kumquat | Sweet skin, sharp flesh | Marmalade, preserving, eating whole |
Common Fruits That Start With F
Fig
Figs are one of the best-known fruits beginning with F. They have soft flesh, tiny edible seeds and a rich, sweet flavour that can taste almost like honey or jam when fully ripe.
Fresh figs are lovely with yoghurt, porridge, salads, soft cheese or roasted meats. Dried figs are usually cheaper, last much longer and are handy for baking, homemade snack bars and lunchbox treats.
Money-saving tip: fresh figs can be pricey in the UK, so look for reduced stickers when they are very ripe. Use them the same day in a salad, compote or quick dessert.
Flat Peach
A flat peach, also called a doughnut peach or Saturn peach, is a squat, flattened peach with sweet, juicy flesh. They are often easier to eat than round peaches because the shape is more lunchbox-friendly.
Flat peaches are delicious eaten as they are, sliced into yoghurt, chopped into fruit salad or grilled for a simple pudding. They pair well with raspberries, cream, honey, basil and vanilla.
Buying tip: choose peaches that smell fragrant and give slightly when gently pressed. Avoid fruit with deep bruises or mould.
Fuji Apple
Fuji apples are crisp, sweet and juicy. They were developed in Japan and are now widely grown in several countries. In UK supermarkets, they are usually sold alongside varieties such as Gala, Braeburn and Pink Lady.
Fuji apples are excellent for snacking because they stay crisp and have a naturally sweet flavour. They also work well in slaws, salads and packed lunches. For cooking, they can be used in crumbles and cakes, although they are not as sharp as Bramley apples.
Money-saving tip: apples are often cheaper in larger bags than loose, but only buy a bag if you will use them. Soft apples can be stewed with cinnamon and frozen in portions.
Fuyu Persimmon
Fuyu persimmon is a squat, orange fruit that can be eaten while still firm. This makes it different from some other persimmon types, which need to be very soft before eating.
The flavour is sweet, mild and slightly honeyed. You can eat Fuyu persimmon like an apple, slice it into salads, add it to a cheeseboard or bake it into cakes and puddings.
Practical tip: if you are not sure which persimmon you have, check the label. Some varieties are astringent unless fully ripe and can leave a dry, unpleasant feeling in the mouth if eaten too early.
Unusual Fruits That Start With F
Feijoa
Feijoa, also known as pineapple guava, is a green, egg-shaped fruit with fragrant flesh. It has a tropical flavour often described as a mix of pineapple, guava, strawberry and mint.
To eat a feijoa, cut it in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. It can also be added to smoothies, crumbles, jams and fruit sauces. Feijoas are not as common in mainstream UK supermarkets, but you may find them in specialist greengrocers or online when in season.
Waste-saving tip: if feijoas are becoming very soft, scoop out the flesh and freeze it for smoothies or compote.
Finger Lime
Finger lime is an Australian citrus fruit with long, narrow pods. Inside are tiny citrus pearls that pop in the mouth, which is why finger lime is sometimes called citrus caviar.
The flavour is sharp, fresh and lime-like. Finger lime is often used as a garnish for seafood, tacos, salads, desserts and drinks. It is a speciality ingredient, so it can be expensive in the UK.
Money-saving tip: because finger lime is powerful, you only need a small amount. Use it as a finishing ingredient rather than the main flavour.
Falsa Berry
Falsa, also spelled phalsa, is a small berry-like fruit grown in parts of South Asia. It has a sweet-sour flavour and is often used in cooling drinks, syrups and chutneys.
Fresh falsa berries are hard to find in ordinary UK supermarkets, but you may see falsa juice, syrup or frozen fruit in South Asian grocery shops. The tangy flavour works well with sugar, salt, lemon and spices.
Fox Grape
Fox grapes are a group of North American grapes known for their strong, musky aroma. Concord grapes are one of the best-known types linked with this flavour profile.
They are often used for grape juice, jelly and preserves rather than everyday table grapes. If you like bold grape flavours, fox grape products are worth trying.
Fraises des Bois
Fraises des bois is French for wild strawberries. These tiny berries have an intense strawberry aroma and a delicate texture. You may see the name on restaurant menus, in seed catalogues or at farmers’ markets.
They are usually more expensive than standard strawberries because they are small and delicate. A little goes a long way as a garnish for cakes, tarts, ice cream or yoghurt.
Citrus Fruits and Varieties Beginning With F
Fairchild Tangerine
Fairchild tangerine is a mandarin hybrid with a sweet-tart flavour. It is not a regular feature in most UK supermarkets, but it may appear in specialist citrus boxes or in countries where it is grown.
Use it as you would other mandarins: peel and eat, juice it, add segments to salads or use the zest in cakes and marinades.
Fukushu Kumquat
Fukushu kumquat is a kumquat variety with a rounded shape and aromatic flavour. Kumquats are unusual because the peel is sweet and the flesh is sharp, so they are often eaten whole.
They are excellent for marmalade, candied peel, chutneys and festive decorations. If you enjoy making preserves, kumquats can be a fun citrus fruit to try.
Fingered Citron
Fingered citron is better known as Buddha’s hand. It is a citrus fruit with long, finger-like sections and very little or no juicy flesh. The main edible part is the fragrant peel and zest.
Use fingered citron to flavour sugar, syrups, cakes, biscuits, cocktails or marmalade. It is usually bought for its aroma rather than for eating like an orange.
Other Fruit Names Beginning With F
Some fruits beginning with F are varieties, regional names or types rather than fruits you will always see labelled that way in the supermarket.
Forelle Pear
Forelle pears are small pears with pretty red speckling over green or yellow skin. They have a sweet flavour and a crisp texture when firm, becoming softer as they ripen.
They are good for lunchboxes, cheese boards and poached pear desserts. Because they are small, they can be useful for children’s snacks or portion-controlled puddings.
Freestone Peach
A freestone peach is not a separate species, but a type of peach where the stone comes away from the flesh easily. This makes it handy for cooking, preserving and slicing neatly.
If you are making peach crumble, jam, grilled peaches or tinned-style peaches at home, freestone varieties are much less fiddly than clingstone peaches.
Fragola Grape
Fragola grape, also known as uva fragola or strawberry grape, is an Italian grape with a distinctive strawberry-like aroma. It may be found in speciality markets or grown by gardeners.
It can be eaten fresh, but it is also used for juice, jams and traditional drinks. The flavour is more aromatic than many standard table grapes.
Framboise
Framboise is the French word for raspberry. While “raspberry” does not start with F in English, you may see framboise on dessert menus, yoghurts, jams, liqueurs and patisserie labels.
It is useful to know if you are browsing European foods or reading restaurant menus. Framboise usually means raspberry-flavoured or made with raspberries.
Five-Flavour Fruit
Five-flavour fruit usually refers to schisandra berries. The name comes from the fruit’s unusual flavour profile, often described as sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent.
Schisandra is more commonly sold dried or as tea rather than as a fresh fruit in the UK. It is often treated as a herbal ingredient, so check packaging directions and avoid using it as a substitute for medical advice.
How to Save Money on Fruits That Start With F
Some F fruits are everyday buys, while others are speciality ingredients. Here are a few practical ways to keep costs down.
- Buy seasonal fruit: figs, peaches and persimmons are usually better value when they are in season and more widely available.
- Check the reduced section: ripe figs, peaches and pears often get marked down because they bruise easily. Use them quickly in smoothies, crumbles or compotes.
- Use frozen where possible: while not every F fruit is available frozen, berries and sliced fruit can be cheaper and reduce waste.
- Choose dried fruit for baking: dried figs are often better value than fresh figs and last for months in the cupboard.
- Use speciality fruit sparingly: finger lime, wild strawberries and unusual citrus fruits are best used as garnishes or flavour boosters.
- Store fruit properly: keep ripe soft fruit in the fridge, but allow firmer fruit such as peaches and persimmons to ripen at room temperature first.
Easy Ways to Use Fruits Beginning With F
If you have picked up one of these fruits and are not sure what to do with it, try one of these simple ideas.
- Fig and yoghurt bowl: top Greek yoghurt with sliced figs, honey and a few oats or nuts.
- Flat peach salad: slice flat peaches with rocket, mozzarella and a little balsamic glaze.
- Fuji apple slaw: grate Fuji apple into red cabbage, carrot and lemony dressing.
- Fuyu persimmon snack plate: slice with cheese, crackers and a few walnuts.
- Feijoa smoothie: blend feijoa flesh with banana, yoghurt and a splash of milk.
- Finger lime garnish: spoon the citrus pearls over fish, avocado toast or a fruit tart.
- Dried fig compote: simmer dried figs with orange juice, cinnamon and a little water until soft.
Food Safety and Storage Tips
Most fruit is straightforward to prepare, but a few basic 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 mouldy soft fruit; mould can spread through high-moisture foods.
- Be careful with wild berries. Only eat foraged fruit if you are completely certain it is safe and correctly identified.
- Store dried figs and other dried fruit in a cool, dry place in a sealed container.
FAQs About Fruits That Start With F
What is a fruit that starts with F?
Fig is one of the most common fruits that starts with F. Other examples include feijoa, finger lime, flat peach, Fuji apple, Fuyu persimmon and falsa berry.
What tropical fruit starts with F?
Feijoa is a tropical-tasting fruit that starts with F. It is also known as pineapple guava and has a fragrant flavour often compared with pineapple, guava and strawberry.
What citrus fruit starts with F?
Finger lime, Fairchild tangerine, Fukushu kumquat and fingered citron are citrus fruits or citrus varieties beginning with F.
Is a Fuji apple a fruit that starts with F?
Yes. Fuji apple is a named apple variety, so it counts as a fruit beginning with F for alphabet food lists.
What fruit starting with F is best for lunchboxes?
Fuji apples, flat peaches and Forelle pears are good lunchbox choices. They are easy to eat, naturally sweet and do not need much preparation.
Which fruits that start with F are easiest to find in the UK?
Figs, Fuji apples, flat peaches and sometimes Fuyu persimmons are among the easier F fruits to find in UK supermarkets. Feijoas, finger limes and falsa berries are more likely to be found in specialist shops or online.
Are figs better fresh or dried?
Both are useful. Fresh figs are soft, juicy and delicate, while dried figs are chewy, sweet and longer-lasting. Dried figs are usually more practical for baking and budget-friendly snacking.
Can you eat the skin of a Fuyu persimmon?
Yes, the skin of a Fuyu persimmon is edible. Wash it first, then slice and eat it while firm or slightly softened.