Fresh fruits are a fantastic option for replacing your regular breakfast, brunch, or snack. They generally have natural sweetness, which makes them perfect for raw consumption. Always stock your home with fresh fruits to avoid snacking on fried foods or sugar-laced munchies. In addition, indulging in processed snacks loaded with refined sugar, fats, artificial flavors, and colors can threaten your overall health as you age.
Switching from unhealthy snacks to fresh fruits can be a life-changing decision, as it can support your overall health immensely. Note our list of fruits, starting with the alphabet D, that are low in calories, fat, and sugar and rich in crucial nutrients essential for your health. Keep reading to learn more about the health benefits and flavor of these stunning fruits, which start with D.
Best Fruit Names Starting With D
1. Decaisnea
This blue sausage fruit or blue bean fruit flaunts unique physical features, which have earned it the nickname “Dead Man’s Fingers.” It is the native fruit of eastern Asian regions like Myanmar, Nepal, and West China. This fruit has edible, glutinous pulp with a jelly-like transparent texture and several wide and flat seeds in black. It is a sweet fruit that has a flavor similar to watermelon.
2. Damson Fruit
Though Damson arrived from the Mediterranean, it is considered part of the European Plum species. These plums are tiny fruits with deep blue peels and a strong sour taste. When eaten raw, this juicy plum has a tart note. It has a less sweet flavor than other plum siblings, making it an apt ingredient for preparing liqueurs, jellies, and jams.
3. Dekopon
Japan developed this fruit in 1972 as a hybrid variant by crossing Ponkan and Kiyomi. This sizeable Japanese mandarin is easy to peel and has thick, seedless flesh covered by thin membranes. This delicious citrus fruit has a sweet flavor and is very popular across Northern America. It sports a distinctive top knot and a smooth orange rind.
4. Dragon Fruit
This oval-shaped Dragon Fruit looks stunning in bright red skin with greenish scales, commonly found in Central America and Mexico. The inner flesh is pink or white and studded with tiny, black seeds. It is also known as pitaya and strawberry pear. When ripe, this fruit has a mildly sweet flavor, and its texture is similar to Kiwi fruit.
5. Duku
This small brownish-green fruit originated in Southeast Asian countries and Malaysia. This exotic fruit has pearl-like flesh inside its thick outer cover. Its tangy, sweet, and tart flavors are similar to those of grapefruit and grapes.
6. Dabai Fruit
This not-so-popular fruit is a delicacy in Borneo and has a shiny black outer skin covering a yellow pulp inside. You must soak this fruit in hot water for a few minutes to relish its unique flavor, similar to brie cheese, olives, and buttered carrots. The soaked Dabai fruits have a soft butter-like consistency. You can also consume it in cooked form by seasoning it with a mixture of sugar, salt, and soy sauce.
7. Dracontomelon
Popularly known as the Pacific Walnut, this fruit is primarily grown in the lowland rainforests of South Asia. This clementine-sized fruit has a very sour taste, which makes it a perfect choice for making lemonade with sugar and a dash of ginger. It is also used as an ingredient in curries, fish gravies, or rice preparation.
8. Darling Plum
Like an egg, this plum variant is round-shaped and has black skin. When raw, Darling Plum has a lovely flavor, like black cherry.
9. Desert King Fig
These figs are the native fruits of the Middle East regions, mainly Afghanistan. Ripe figs have greenish-yellow skin and red fruit pulp inside. It has a delightful flavor similar to strawberry jam.
10. Double Coconut Fruit
Popularly called the love coconut in Seychelles, its native place, the Double Coconut is a giant fruit that weighs around 6 pounds when unripe. Ripe fruits weigh even more! It is the only fruit with big seeds in the world. This fruit is listed as an endangered fruit species, so it will not be available in any grocery stores. It resembles a regular coconut with the unique appearance of two coconuts merged to form one.
11. Dates
This fruit grows on the date palm tree and is considered nature’s candy. This chewy fruit has a fudgy flavor and is mainly found in tropical countries. This brown fruit flaunts a shriveled appearance like a raisin but is more significant in size. The origin of this fruit cannot be traced, as it was cultivated by humans more than thousands of years ago. It is believed to have originated from regions like the Middle East, India, and North Africa. It can be eaten raw or used in desserts and sweets, as it is a healthy natural sweetener.
12. Dewberry
It is considered the closest cousin of blackberries. This berry is similar in size to raspberry and has deep purple skin. The flavor of this berry is similar to blackberries but with a hint of tart notes. It is a sweet-tasting fruit in jams, jellies, pies, cobblers, and more recipes.
13. Durian
This spiky fruit originated in Southeast Asia. Famously called the King of Fruits, Durian remains a distinct fruit for its pungent odor, massive size, and thick rind covered with thorns. It has creamy flesh under its sturdy rind, a custard-like consistency, and a sweet and savory flavor. Its flavor, with hints of caramel, vanilla, and sweet almond taste, makes it worth a try.
14. Discovery Apples
Essex, England, first discovered this apple in 1949. This apple has blood-red skin with white-pinkish flesh inside. It has a sweet taste and subtle strawberry flavor on the taste buds. It is an excellent choice for apple cider, sauce, and juice.
We hope you liked our list of fruits, starting with D, consisting of exotic and locally available fruits. Try any of these nutritious fruits and impress your loved ones with your knowledge about the names of new fruits.
Vitamins & Constituents for Fruit Names Starting with D
| Serial No. | Fruit | Vitamins & Notable Constituents |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Desert King Fig | Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Fiber |
| 2 | Double Coconut Fruit | Fiber, Fatty Acids |
| 3 | Dates | Vitamin B6, Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, Fiber |
| 4 | Dewberry | Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Fiber |
| 5 | Durian | Vitamin C, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Potassium, Magnesium |
| 6 | Discovery Apples | Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Fiber |
| 7 | Damson Fruit | Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Fiber |
| 8 | Dekopon | Vitamin C, Potassium, Dietary Fiber |
| 9 | Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) | Vitamin C, Iron, Magnesium, Fiber |
| 10 | Duku (Lansium parasiticum) | Vitamin C, Thiamine, Riboflavin |
| 11 | Dabai Fruit | Fatty Acids, Carotenoids |
Source: Food and Drug Administration
Scientific Name, Color, Origin, Seasonality for Fruits Starting with D
| Fruit | Color | Scientific Name | Origin | Seasonality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Desert King Fig | Green to yellow | Ficus carica ‘Desert King’ | Mediterranean | Summer |
| Double Coconut Fruit | Brown | Lodoicea maldivica | Seychelles | Year-round |
| Dates | Amber to dark brown | Phoenix dactylifera | Middle East | Autumn |
| Dewberry | Dark purple to black | Rubus spp. | North America | Spring to early Summer |
| Durian | Green to brown | Durio zibethinus | Southeast Asia | June to August |
| Discovery Apples | Red | Malus domestica ‘Discovery’ | United Kingdom | Late Summer |
| Damson Fruit | Purple | Prunus domestica subsp. insititia | Europe | Late Summer to early Autumn |
| Dekopon | Orange | Citrus reticulata ‘Shiranui’ | Japan | Winter to Spring |
| Dragon Fruit (Pitaya) | Red or yellow skin; white or red flesh | Hylocereus spp. | Central America | Summer to early Autumn |
| Duku (Lansium parasiticum) | Yellow to pale brown | Lansium parasiticum | Southeast Asia | Varies, often April to July |
| Dabai Fruit | Black | Canarium odontophyllum | Borneo, Malaysia | November to January |
FAQ
Which fruits starting with D have high Vitamin C content?
The fruits that are high in Vitamin C are –
- Dragon Fruit
- Dekopon
- Darling Plum
What are some exotic fruits starting with D that are native to Southeast Asia?
Here are some of the fruits that are both exotic and found in Southeast Asia –
- Durian
- Duku
- Dabai Fruit
What are rare and not commonly found in grocery stores?
Some of the rare fruits starting with D are –
- Double Coconut Fruit
- Decaisnea
- Dracontomelon
What are some’ fruits have unusual appearance or texture?
Durian (for its spiky exterior), Dragon Fruit (for its vibrant color and unique skin), and Decaisnea (known as dead man’s fingers for its peculiar shape).
