Think you’ve tasted it all? These tropical fruits are nature’s hidden gems—vibrant, exotic, and bursting with flavor you’ve likely never experienced. From spiky rambutan to creamy cherimoya, each bite is a new adventure.
Think apples and oranges are all there is to fruit? Think again. The tropics are bursting with colorful, weird, and wonderful fruits you’ve probably never tasted. Some look like they’re from another planet, others taste like a tropical vacation in one bite. Whether you love exploring new flavors or just want to shake up your fruit bowl, this list is your juicy guide to the most exciting tropical fruits out there. Ready to take a bite?
Rambutan is a funky little fruit covered in soft red and green “hairs” that make it look like a sea urchin. Crack open the skin and you’ll find juicy, translucent flesh with a mildly sweet flavor that’s similar to lychee but a little more tangy.
The rambutan tree is tropical and evergreen, with glossy leaves and a spreading canopy, thriving in humid regions. It’s a popular tropical fruit throughout Southeast Asia and a true tropical treat.
Mangosteen may be small, but it’s packed with royal flavor. Its thick, deep-purple rind protects soft, white segments inside that are sweet, tangy, and floral—often called the best-tasting tropical fruit in the world.
The mangosteen tree is slow-growing and prefers warm, humid climates, producing glossy green leaves and waxy flowers. Once ripe, the fruit must be gently opened to reveal the snow-white flesh inside. It’s a tropical delicacy well worth the patience it takes to grow.
Dragon fruit looks like it belongs in a sci-fi movie with its hot pink skin and green scale-like spikes. Cut it open and you’ll find white or magenta flesh speckled with tiny black seeds. It’s mildly sweet, refreshing, and very hydrating.
The plant it grows on is actually a cactus, with long, climbing stems and beautiful night-blooming flowers. Easy to grow in warm, dry climates, dragon fruit is as pretty as it is tasty.
Jackfruit is the heavyweight champion of the fruit world—literally. This green, bumpy giant can grow up to 80 pounds (36 kg) and holds dozens of sweet, golden pods inside. When ripe, it smells like tropical bubblegum; when young, its fibrous texture makes it a popular meat substitute.
The jackfruit tree is tall and tropical, often grown for both shade and food. It’s a staple in South Asian cooking and is gaining popularity in vegan kitchens worldwide.
Soursop is a green, spiky tropical fruit that looks intimidating but hides soft, custardy white flesh with a flavor like strawberry and pineapple with a hint of citrus.
Its tree is broad-leaved and tropical, often grown for shade and fruit in warm climates. Soursop is not only tasty—it’s also known for its use in traditional medicine. The fruit is incredibly juicy and aromatic, making it perfect for smoothies, ice creams, or eating straight from the shell.
Star fruit is as charming as it sounds—slice it and you’ll get perfect five-pointed stars. Its waxy, golden skin surrounds crisp, juicy flesh with a sweet-tart flavor, a bit like a mix of apple and citrus.
The star fruit tree is small to medium in size and produces fruit prolifically in warm, tropical climates. It’s an ornamental beauty with bright green leaves and pretty pink flowers. Great for snacking or as a fancy salad topper.
Longan is like lychee’s more understated cousin—smaller, rounder, and less flashy, but just as delicious. The fruit’s thin brown shell hides juicy, translucent flesh with a sweet and slightly musky flavor. It grows in dense clusters on graceful tropical trees with feathery leaves. Longan means “dragon’s eye” in Chinese, named for how the peeled fruit looks. It’s popular in Asian desserts and teas and is often eaten fresh or dried like raisins.
Breadfruit is a large, green, lumpy tropical fruit with starchy flesh that tastes like a cross between freshly baked bread and potatoes. When cooked, it’s soft and satisfying, perfect in savory dishes.
The breadfruit tree is fast-growing and generous, producing up to hundreds of fruits each season. Native to the Pacific Islands, it’s a traditional staple that’s now gaining attention as a climate-resilient superfood. It’s incredibly versatile, nourishing, and can even be ground into gluten-free flour.
Cherimoya looks like something out of a fantasy garden, with green scaly skin and heart-shaped curves. Inside, it’s creamy white with a custard-like texture and flavors of banana, pineapple, and vanilla. Native to the Andes, the cherimoya tree thrives in high-altitude tropical zones. The fruit is eaten with a spoon, but avoid the black seeds—they’re not edible. Mark Twain famously called it “the most delicious fruit known to man,” and once you try it, you’ll see why.
Ackee is a bold fruit with a bright red outer shell that splits open to reveal creamy yellow flesh and shiny black seeds. It’s the national fruit of Jamaica and central to the island’s cuisine. The ackee tree is evergreen and grows best in warm, humid climates. But caution is key—ackee is toxic if eaten unripe. When handled properly, it becomes soft, savory, and buttery, making it the perfect match for salted cod in traditional dishes.
Sapodilla may look like a potato on the outside, but inside it’s full of surprises. The brown, fuzzy skin covers sweet, grainy flesh that tastes like brown sugar with a hint of pear. Its tree is hardy and drought-tolerant, growing well in tropical and subtropical climates. Sapodilla produces small bell-shaped flowers and delicious fruit multiple times a year. Once ripe and soft, the fruit is an indulgent treat that’s perfect for fresh snacking or smoothies.
Native Range: Southern Mexico, Central America
Fruit Size: 2 to 4 inches
Guava is a fragrant fruit with thin, edible skin that ranges from green to yellow and juicy pink or white flesh inside. It’s sweet, tart, and full of tiny edible seeds.
The guava tree is small and shrubby with smooth bark and aromatic leaves. Rich in vitamin C, guava is as nutritious as it is tasty. Its tropical perfume and flavor make it perfect for eating raw, juicing, or turning into jam, candy, or sauces.
Passion fruit is small but mighty. Its round, wrinkled shell hides golden pulp filled with crunchy seeds and an incredibly fragrant, tart-sweet flavor. There are purple and yellow varieties; both are edible, but the yellow is often larger and more tart.
The passion fruit vine is a fast-growing climber with stunning flowers that look like purple alien art. It thrives in tropical to subtropical climates and bears fruit quickly. This exotic fruit is packed with flavor, vitamin C, and antioxidants, making it a favorite for juices, desserts, and cocktails around the world.
Lychee is a juicy gem with a rough, pink-red rind that peels away to reveal translucent white flesh that’s floral, sweet, and oh-so-refreshing. The lychee tree is ornamental and evergreen, producing fruit in clusters during the summer. It’s one of the oldest cultivated fruits in Asia and a seasonal favorite in many tropical regions. With its burst of perfume and candy-like flavor, lychee is a popular snack fresh, in drinks, or preserved in syrup.
Native Range: Southern China
Fruit Size: 1 to 1.5 inches
| Hardiness |
10 - 12 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents, Climbers, Fruits, Trees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
| Hardiness |
10 - 12 |
|---|---|
| Plant Type | Cactus & Succulents, Climbers, Fruits, Trees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders |
| Garden Styles | Mediterranean Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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