We live in a world full of colorful fruits bursting with delicious flavors. With so many different species and varieties to choose from it can be hard to take note of everything on offer. One-color of fruits often overlooked is black.
We typically associate fruit with bright, vibrant colors that are sweet and juicy in taste, therefore it can be hard to name fruits that have a black exterior. How many can you think of? After blackberries and black grapes, you may find yourself struggling to name any which is a shame because black fruits have so much to offer.
Luckily we’re here to help so if you want to learn more about black fruits, you are in the right place. In this article, we have compiled a list of black fruits, taking a look at how they taste and what they can be used for.
Hopefully, by the end, you will have a better understanding of black fruits and maybe have some new food inspiration to bring to your daily life.
Let’s get straight into the list!
1. Blackberries
The first fruit on our list is one we probably all think of straight away when thinking about black fruits. This well recognizable bramble fruit has a conical shape and glossy exterior.
Despite their deep dark, maybe even dull appearance, blackberries are packed with amazingly sweet and tangy flavors. The soft texture and divine taste of the blackberry make it the perfect fruity snack or accompaniment for your fresh dessert.
Blackberries are also commonly used in medicine to treat diabetes, diarrhea, and swelling. We love our blackberries with a pavlova.
2. Black Grapes
We will get the other obvious black fruit out the way early. Black grapes have been cultivated by humans for over 8,000 years. They come packed with beneficial nutrients that help improve our general health and slow the aging process.
Black grapes are small to medium in size and shaped like an oval. Admittedly their skin is almost a deep purple color rather than black but blacks in the name so it’s on this list.
With more crunch than other grapes, the translucent flesh of the black grape is beautifully sweet and juicy. Many like to eat black grapes on their own or in a fruit salad.
3. Black Goji Berries
Black goji is a large bush that produces an abundance of black goji berries that have a very different taste than its red cousin.
The black goji berry has a soft sweet, berry flavor rather than a tart flavor like other goji berries. This type of goji berry is used as an ingredient in a variety of luxurious tasting foods such as truffles, cheesecakes, and refreshing sangria.
4. Black Tomatoes
Tomatoes come in many different sizes and colors, but to many people’s surprise tomatoes can also be found in black.
There is a wide range of tomatoes that are black in color, from the tiny black cherry tomato to big, flavorful slicing tomatoes. The skin on these types of tomatoes tends to turn more black as the fruit matures.
They can be used like any traditional tomato but don’t have as sweet a taste. They usually have a more savory flavor.
5. Black Apples
Unfortunately, you will probably never get the chance to try a black apple unless you visit Nepal and Tibet and have plenty of money with you.
This rare variety of Hua Niu apples looks like something out of a fairytale (maybe that’s why it’s so expensive). This fruit has a dark purple-black exterior and crunchy flesh. With its tart, crisp taste, and hints of cinnamon, the black apple can be used to make the perfect apple pie.
6. Black Elderberries
If you love fruits with a deep, rich flavor then why not head out into the woods in late August to see if you can find yourself some elderberries.
This small bluey-black fruit has a very sweet, aromatic, yet slightly bitter taste. It is this combination of flavors that makes black elderberries a great ingredient in the production of some delicious tasting wines.
Found on Sambucus nigra trees, black elderberries are also great immune boosters. This is awesome because it gives us the perfect excuse to indulge in some super fruity wine, after all, it’s improving our health.
7. Black Jamun Berries
These small berries native to Southeast Asia and India are often mistaken for olives, as the small oval-shaped fruits have a similar shape, size, and color. The black Jamun berry is also called “Java plums”.
Strangely people like to eat these berries on their own with a pinch of salt as it emphasizes the overall sweetness of the fruit. Personally, we think a nice fruit smoothie sounds better.
8. Black Diamond Watermelon
Most watermelons have green rinds, so you may be surprised to hear that some varieties are black in color. Also referred to as the “Florida Giant” this variety of watermelon has a deep purple-black glossy rind and a rich red interior similar to a traditional watermelon.
Known for its enormous size this sweet, juicy fruit is the perfect summer day snack. Be careful not to eat too much though. Too much watermelon can cause a pretty nasty upset stomach.
9. Blackcurrants
Also commonly known as cassis berries, blackcurrants are probably the darkest fruit on this list. Blackcurrants are a type of berry with a translucent pulp and a bittersweet taste. The small spherical fruits have an intense taste when ripe that adds extra oomph to what you’re eating.
Why not try them on top of granola, in a smoothie bowl, or in a tasty homemade jam?
10. Black Cherries
The variety of cherries is enormous. There are varieties that are bright red, yellow, pink, or in our case black. Black cherries are actually one of the most popular varieties of cherry around the world. This sturdy stone fruit has a heart-like appearance, growing to 2cm in diameter.
The high acid content of the cherry is what produces the sour cherry taste. They taste amazing on their own or in a variety of desserts.
11. Black Olives
Olives don’t normally make it on to fruit lists because not many people consider them to be fruit, but just because they are salty and briny instead of sweet doesn’t mean they aren’t fruit.
The saltier, richer fatty flavor of the black olives is very beneficial in regards to supporting our bones, organs, skin, and connective tissue. On top of that, they are packed with antioxidants. These small oval fruits are perfect for your next party. Why not serve them with a platter of cheese and wine.
12. Black Eggplants
As part of the nightshade family, eggplants are also classified as fruits. The black eggplant is a large, glossy, drop-shaped fruit that is deep purple in color but appears black. The white flesh inside the eggplant is tender but comes with a bitter taste.
In terms of usability, this eggplant is arguably the most versatile fruit on this list. It can be used in a huge variety of dishes including roasted vegetable recipes, curries, rice dishes, and more.
It is also a good vegan alternative for those that want to avoid eating meat. Though it can be eaten raw we don’t recommend it.
13. Black Tupelo Fruits
This species of tree is native to the United States and Canada. In the fall they produce edible currant-sized black fruits that can be eaten raw or cooked.
The flesh of the black tupelo fruit has a lovely combination of tangy and sweet flavors, but eating them can be tricky. The large seeds in the oblong-shaped fruit can be annoying to remove so it might be a better idea to make a jelly or jam instead of eating the fruit raw.
14. Black Figs
Figs come in a variety that is black in color. This darker shade of fig offers a sweeter, more complex flavor than other varieties, making it a big hit with fruit lovers.
The Mission fig is the darkest type of the fruit. It has a tough peel that often cracks when the fruit is ripe, exposing the red pulp in the process. High in antioxidants, the black fig is a great healthy snack that has properties that will support your immune system.
15. Black Hungarian Peppers
For those that aren’t sure peppers are actually a fruit. If you like jalapeno peppers then you will want to try and get your hands on the black Hungarian pepper.
This exquisite pepper is roughly the same size and shape as the jalapenos with a flavor to match. Black Hungarian peppers have both a sweet and hot flavor that will add a nice kick to a range of recipes including a stunning fresh Mexican salsa.
16. Black Avocados
In your local store, you could potentially find several different varieties of avocado, some of which will be black. Haas, Maluma, and Frazer are examples of avocados with thick black skin.
Despite a different exterior, black avocados still have that buttery green flesh and stone we all associate avocados with. Black avocados also have the usual rich, nutty flavor that goes so well in salads, desserts, or on your morning slice of toast.
RELATED: 31 Different Types Of Avocado Trees (Including Photos)
Final Thoughts
As you can clearly see from our list there are a surprising amount of fruits that are black in color. You may have recognized a fair few but it is likely that some of them you have never heard or seen of before.
The variety of fruits in our list shows that just because a fruit isn’t vibrant in color doesn’t mean it isn’t still full of flavor and juiciness.
The fruits on our list are sweet, bitter, juicy, earthy, and nutty. Each fruit has its own unique uses too. Some fruits are a great quick snack, others should be cooked and used as an ingredient in an array of dishes. Some are used to spice food, whilst others are used primarily in medicine.
Now you have our list at your disposal, why not start exploring further what you can do with each fruit, and start experimenting with the fruits you have never tried before?
Though some may be hard to find, most black fruits can be found in your local store so why not impress your friends with some new and unique flavors the next time you host a dinner.
We hope you learned something from this article, here are other articles that you can learn from:
How To Protect Your Strawberries From Slugs? A Comprehensive Guide
A Complete Guide on How To Grow An Avocado From Seed
What Is Eating My Strawberries? The Culprits & How To Control Them!
