We have loved guiding you through fruits that start with each letter of the alphabet. While some letters are abundant with hundreds of fruits, others are rarer.
As you can imagine, there is not a long list of fruits starting with the letter Z. However, some of the fruits in today’s article are extremely nutritious and delicious.
Whether you’re looking for quiz questions on fruits starting with numerous letters or you’re working your way through the alphabet to try as many fruits as possible, we have you covered.
‘Z’ is certainly one of the most challenging letters to play alphabet games and it’s not much easier when it comes to food items. If you’re sitting there and scratching your head trying to think of a fruit that starts with ‘z’, then you are in the right place.
Read on as we guide you through a list of fruits that begin with the letter ‘z’ so you can show off your newfound knowledge to friends and family at the next quiz night!
Zig-Zag Vine Fruit
Scientifically known as Melodorum Leichhardtii (in case you didn’t recognize zig-zag), this vine fruit is native to eastern Australian regions.
Also known as wild banana, acid drop vine, and meranara, this vine thrives in rainforests, vine thickets, monsoon forests, and gallery forests that are at a sea level of about 1,100 meters.
The zig-zag vine fruit bears orange-colored fruits when ripe. They have a pleasantly sharp, orange taste that is almost like sherbet. Unlike many fruits, zig-zags are rarely eaten raw. Instead, they are usually used in sauces for gourmet dishes.
Zucchini
From one fruit you may not recognize to one that you almost certainly do – the zucchini.
We know you’re shocked but it’s true! Zucchinis are fruits and not vegetables! While we’re on the subject, other fruits that are often mistaken for veggies include cucumbers, squash, and eggplants. Mind blown!
The reason zucchinis are often mistaken for vegetables is due to their vegetable-like taste. They are also commonly prepared like vegetables and cooked in the same ways.
Also known as courgettes and baby marrows, zucchinis are a summer squash native to the Americas, like all squash. They are known for their mild flavor that works well in multiple dishes. This fruit is also slightly sweet and bitter which shines through more after it has been cooked.
Zhe Fruit
Native to East Asian countries such as Nepal and China, and naturalized in Japan, the zhe fruit is also called che, silkworm thorn, cudrang, mandarin melon berry, and Chinese mulberry. Its scientific name, however, is Maclura tricuspidata (catchy, right?)
The zhe fruit can grow up to 6 meters in height and, when young, the trees have thorns that protrude from their branches. But, when the tree reaches a mature stage, these thorns disappear.
While zhe fruits are very similar to mulberries, they are not classified in the same family. When ripe, these fruits are either red or maroon with very rich flesh inside.
Zinfandel Grapes Fruit
The Zinfandel grape fruit is commonly used in the production of robust red wines. Scientifically known as Vitis Vinifera, this fruit is genetically equivalent to the Croatian grapes known as Crljenak Kaštelanski and Tribidrag. They have also been linked to the Primitivo variety which was first grown in Apulia on the heel of Italy.
With black skin that looks almost purple when glistening in the sunshine, Zinfandel grapes are high in sugar meaning they are ideal for fermenting to gain an alcohol level of around 15 percent.
In some parts of the world, these grapes are called black St. Peters, Primitivo, morelone, Primaticcio, and Gioia del Colle.
Zwetschge
You may find it easier to pronounce this fruit by its other name, prune plum. Popular in Europe, zwetschge can be eaten raw but they are commonly used in tarts and desserts. This is mainly down to the fact that these plums hold their shape very well for different dishes.
As for their taste, these fruits are slightly tart and sweet. Compared to most traditional plums, zwetschge are somewhat smaller in size with a more elliptical-like shape. This is why they are often mistaken for oversized grapes rather than plums.
Ziziphus Fruit
You may not recognize the name of this fruit if you live in North America or Europe, even when it’s called by its other name, the jujube fruit. However, in Asian regions, the Ziziphus fruit has been a staple in their cuisine for many hundreds of years.
Altogether, there are three varieties of Ziziphus fruit (jujube, Christ’s thorn jujube, and Indian jujube). These are all edible and have been used for medicinal purposes in Chinese culture for many years. For instance, they are reported to provide a soothing effect on nerves.
You can enjoy this fruit raw before they become too ripe. After this, they dry out and are not edible.
Zarzamora
There may not be a lot of fruits beginning with ‘z’ but some of these names are a joy to read and say. One example is the Zarzamora fruit. While this sounds like an elegant and tropical fruit that you may have never eaten or even seen, the reality is quite different.
Translated from Spanish, Zarzamora simply means blackberry. That’s right, you have probably eaten a Zarzamora fruit without realizing it! Refreshing with crunchy seeds inside, these berries can be eaten raw and are used in numerous recipes from pies to tarts.
Zalzalak
Here is another fun fruit to try and pronounce. Zalzalek fruits have a similar appearance to red persimmons and red black sapote, a soft, edible fruit. However, these fruits have an oval-like shape rather than a perfect circle.
Native to Iran, Zalzalek fruits taste sweet and sour. They also have numerous health benefits. For instance, many people include these fruits in their diets to prevent heart disease. Zalzaleks are also high in antioxidants which can help reduce the risk of a range of diseases such as cancer.
Having a diet rich in fruits such as Zalzaleks helps to scavenge free radicals from the body’s cells and reduce or even prevent any damage caused by oxidation.
Zwangtah/Zongchak
Because words beginning with ‘z’ are often hard to pronounce, you find that many of these fruits come with an abundance of other names. The Zwangtah/Zongchak fruit is no exception.
If you don’t recognize this fruit yet, you may know it by its other name ‘zongchak.’ No? Nevermind! We’ll carry on anyway.
This is a type of legume that is grown in Manipur, a state in Northeast India. In this region, Zwangtah fruits are considered to be a delicacy in which people use them for all kinds of sweet and savory dishes.
In most cases, this fruit is used in salads to provide an extra kick to the taste. Pretty much the whole of this fruit plant is edible as the flowers, beans, and pods are regularly consumed by locals in the Manipur region.
Zante Currant Fruit
Widely used in Greece, the Zante currant fruit is perhaps better known as Corinth raisins. With a reddish-black, dark brown color, these currants taste both sour and sweet.
Zante currant fruits are also renowned for being packed with nutrients such as vitamins B1, B2, B5, B6, C, and E as well as calcium, potassium, iron, folate, zinc, dietary fiber, and much more.
Being a powerhouse of nutrients, it is no surprise that Zante currant fruits have many health benefits. Including these in your diet could help increase immunity, reduce stress and anxiety, and even strengthen your bones.
Eaten raw or prepared, Zante currants are popular in salads and desserts.
Zierfandler Grape Fruit
Hailing from Hungary and Austria, the Zierfandler grapefruit is more commonly known as Spatrot. With a relatively sweet flavor, these grapes are red and purple in color with a bunch of nutrients such as iron, fiber, potassium, protein, and more.
Zierfandler grapes are beneficial to your heart, can help lose weight, and also minimizes the risk of diabetes. This fruit is widely used in wine production, as many grapes are, but can also be eaten fresh.
Zabergau Reinette Apples
The Zabergau Reinette apple is not one of the most popular or widely consumed apples in the United States but in its native country of Germany, this fruit is on the A-list!
You can enjoy these apples raw but most people prefer to store them in cold spaces for around a month or so. This makes the apples taste much sweeter both raw and in different recipes.
Being a large variety of a russet apple, Zabergau Reinette fruits are brownish-green. When eaten straight from the vine, these apples have a very sharp flavor and because of their pretty dense flesh, they are renowned for being quite hard to chew. But, leave in cold storage for a month and Zabergau Reinette apples will become softer, sweeter, and all-round more enjoyable to eat.
Final Thoughts
Trying to think of fruits beginning with the letter ‘z’ off the top of your head is one of the more challenging parts of an alphabet game. But, the next time this topic comes up, you will be fully prepared to shock people with your alphabetical fruit knowledge.
