32 Exotic South American Fruits
South America is home to a wide variety of fruits, many of which are not found in other parts of the world. Here are some of the most popular South American fruits!
1. Acai Berry
The acai berry is a small, dark purple fruit that is native to Brazil. It has a sweet, nutty flavor and is often used in juices, smoothies, and desserts.
2. Amazon Grape
The Amazonian grape is a small, purple fruit that grows in the Amazon rainforest from an evergreen tree. It tastes both sweet and tart and is often used in juices and jams.
3. Avocado
Avocado is a large, green fruit that is native to South America. It has a creamy texture, and rich flavor and is often used in salads, sandwiches, and dips.
4. Black Sapote
Black sapote is a small, black fruit that is native to Central and South America. It has a sweet, chocolatey flavor and is often used in desserts.
5. Breadfruit
Breadfruit is a large, round fruit that while not native to Latin America, has been grown there for centuries. It has a starchy flavor and is often used in savory dishes.
6. Cacao
Cacao is a bitter, dark-colored fruit that is native to South America. It is used to make chocolate and also has a multitude of health benefits.
7. Camu Camu
Camu Camu is a small, red fruit that is native to Brazil and Peru. It has a sour flavor and is often used in juices and smoothies.
8. Canistel
Canistel is a yellow, egg-shaped fruit that is native to Mexico and Central America, though has been grown in South America for a very long time now. It has a sweet, custard-like flavor and is often used in desserts.
9. Cashew Fruit
Cashew fruit is the fruit of the cashew tree and is native to Brazil and Peru. It is also known as Maranon. It has a sweet, almond-like flavor and is often used in desserts and jams, and jellies.
10. Cherimoya
Cherimoya is a green, heart-shaped fruit native to Ecuador and Peru. It has a sweet, custard-like flavor (so much so that it is also known as ‘custard apple’) and is often used in desserts.
11. Coconut
Coconut is the fruit of the coconut tree and is native to South America. It has a sweet, creamy flavor and is often used in desserts.
12. Cupuassu
Cupuassu is the fruit of the cupuassu tree and is native to Brazil. It is related to the cacao tree. It has a sweet flavor, that is chocolate-like, and is often used in desserts.
13. Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is the fruit of a vining cactus plant and is native to Peru. Dragon fruit is also known as pitaya. It has a sweet, exotic flavor and is often used in desserts and frozen treats.
14. Feijoa
Feijoa is the fruit of the feijoa tree and is native to Brazil. It has a sweet, pineapple-like flavor and is often used in desserts.
15. Guava
Guava is the fruit of the guava tree and is native to Peru. It has a sweet, strawberry-like flavor and is often used in desserts and jams.
16. Lucuma
Lucuma is the fruit of the lucuma tree and is native to Peru and Bolivia. It has a sweet, caramel-like flavor and is often used in desserts and ice cream.
17. Fig
Fig is the fruit of the fig tree and is native to Brazil. It has a sweet, honey-like flavor and is often used in desserts.
18. Naranjilla
Naranjilla is a fruit that is native to Colombia. It is also known as ‘lulo’. It has a sweet, tart flavor and is often used to make juice or jams.
19. Jabuticaba
Jabuticaba is the fruit of the jabuticaba tree and is native to Brazil. It has a grape-like flavor and is often used in jams and jellies.
20. Jackfruit
Jackfruit is the fruit of the jackfruit tree and is native to Brazil. It has a sweet, pineapple-like flavor and is often used in both desserts and savory dishes.
21. Tamarillo
Tamarillo, also known as the ‘tree tomato’, is an egg-shaped reddish-orange fruit native to South America. They are both sweet and sour in taste.
22. Mango
Mango is the fruit of the mango tree and is native to Brazil. It has a sweet, juicy flavor and is often used in sweet desserts or in its savory application, mango salsa.
23. Papaya
Papaya is the fruit of the papaya tree and is native to Peru. It has a sweet, melon-like flavor and is often used in tropical fruit salads and frozen treats.
24. Melon Pear
Melon pear is the fruit of the melon pear tree and is native to Brazil. It has a sweet, juicy flavor and is often used in desserts.
25. Physalis
Physalis is the fruit of the physalis tree and is native to Peru. It has a tart, citrus-like flavor and is often used in salads. It is also known as the ‘cape gooseberry’ and ‘uchuva’.
26. Plantains
Plantains, also known as ‘cooking bananas’, are starchy fruit with white flesh commonly found throughout South America. They can take on a starchy or a sweet flavor depending on how they are prepared.
27. Passion Fruit
Passion fruit is native to Ecuador and Brazil. It has a sweet, tart flavor and is often used in desserts. It’s also known as ‘maracuja’, and it’s the fruit of the maracuja tree. It has a sweet, tangy flavor and is often used in juices and desserts.
28. Peach Palm
Peach palm is the fruit of the peach palm tree and is native to Colombia. It has a sweet, peach-like flavor and is often used in desserts.
29. Pineapple
Pineapple is the fruit of the pineapple plant and is native to the Brazilian rainforests. It has a sweet, juicy flavor and is often used in desserts and smoothies.
30. Prune Plum
Prune plum is the fruit of the prune plum tree and is native to Peru. It has a sweet, tart flavor and is often used in desserts.
31. Sapodilla
Sapodilla is the fruit of the sapodilla tree and is native to Central and South America. It has a sweet, brown sugar flavor and a texture similar to pears.
32. Babaco
Babaco is a tropical fruit that is native to Ecuador. It has green skin and a white, fleshy interior. It has a sweet, tangy flavor.
In Conclusion
These are just some of the delicious fruits that come from South America. Next time you’re in the grocery store, be sure to try one of these exotic fruits! You won’t be disappointed. Be certain to tell us some of your favorite South American fruits in the comments below!