23 Fruits That Start With N (With Photos!)

Here is a list of 23 fruits that start with N. Some are variants of familiar apples, plums, and pears, but others are pretty exotic. Have you heard of them all?

Collage that says "fruits that start with n".

Now if you just Googled “fruits that start with N”, we won’t ask why but think we can help you out. Whether you are preparing for trivia night or working on a school project, this is a comprehensive list of fruits beginning with N.

Naartjie

Naartjie is a citrus fruit grown in South Africa since the 18^th Century. It resembles a tangerine or mandarin in both appearance and taste. If you want to know more about the health benefits of these fruits check out our Mandarin Orange Guide, as there are definite similarities.

Nagami Kumquat

Nagami Kumquat is a citrus fruit that looks like an orange but smaller. It has a distinct sweet and sour taste. This small oval shaped fruit is about the size of a large grape. It has a thin smooth skin that ranges from yellow-orange to deep orange in color. The skin is sweet but the pulp is sour. Nagami kumquats are native to China where they are often used as gifts to celebrate the Lunar New Year.

Nageia

Nageia is also known as the Asian Bayberry. Grown in Japan, China, and Taiwan, it is grown more for its wood than the berries which are commonly used in an industrial oil. Not really a strong endorsement for its culinary use.

Nam Dok Mai

Nam Dok Mai mangoes are a tropical fruit that is grown in Thailand. They are known for their sweet and juicy flesh, as well as their small size. Nam Dok Mai mangoes are a popular ingredient in Thai cuisine, and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes like Mango Chutney!

Nance

Nance fruit are cherry sized yellow or red berries grown in Central and Latin America. It is sometimes called the nanche, hogberry, or yaca. Nance can be eaten raw, juiced, or used in a variety of desserts.

Naranjilla

Naranjilla is a bright orange citrus fruit grown in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, and Columbia. Its primary use varies from nation to nation but include in making juice, wine, preserves, sherbets, pies, and a variety of baked goods. The fruit can be eaten fresh, but the skin is rather tough, so it is more common for people to cut it in half and squeeze out the juice.

Narenj

Narenj is the Iranian name for the Bitter Orange native to that nation. It is also called the Seville orange, sour orange, and marmalade orange, and is generally used in making essential oils and medicinal purposes.

Natal Plum

Natal Plum are native to tropical and southern Africa and derive their name from the Natal region of South Africa. It is a cold tolerant and drought resistant plum that shares all the uses of other plum varieties. They are great eaten out of hand, but also used to make jams, jellies, pies, ice cream, yogurt, you name it.

Nashi Pears

Nashi Pears are grown in East Asia, and are also known as Asian pear, Japanese pear, and Chinese pear. They are a particularly sweet pear variant shaped more like an apple than other pears. It was introduced to America by Chinese immigrants in the mid-19^th Century. Asian pears are a great source of dietary fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, making them like other pears quite healthy. They are great eaten raw, on fruit or veggie salads, or in many regional specialties like this Dutch Poached Pear Recipe.

Naval Oranges

Naval Oranges are a winter orange known for its sweetness and juiciness. Oranges have been grown for thousands of years, but the naval orange was little known until it was “discovered” growing in Brazil in 1820. Now if you care more about the sweetness than the history of oranges give this Healthy Orange Dreamsicle Smoothie a try or perhaps Orange Chia Seed Breakfast Pudding.

Nectacot

Nectacot is a cross between a nectarine and an apricot. This fruit has the texture of a nectarine and is about the size of an apricot. The flavor is an aromatic blend of both fruits, and is both flavorful and juicy.

Nectacotum

Nectacotum is a hybrid of apricot, plum, and nectarine developed in California. So, what do you do with this fruit? Well what can’t you do? This thing came from three pretty wonderful fruits. For more ideas check out our nutrition and use guide in Plums 101. Expect to pay a bit more for hybrid fruits like this than ordinary apricots and plums. Profit is generally the motive for growers to experiment with such hybrids. Sorry to be a buzz kill. Get a few and make a fruit salad!

Nectarines

Nectarines originated in China over 2,000 years ago. They are actually a natural peach mutation. They are the same fruit except for one gene which causes peaches to be fuzzy and nectarines smooth. In fact, these two fruits are so related that it is possible to find nectarines and peaches growing on the same tree. The USDA says it, so it must be so. In the USA 95% of our nectarines come from California.

Neem

Neem is a fruit grown in India for which you can find a plethora of purported medicinal uses, but sadly no recipes. Various sources claim that it can be used for hemorrhoid, intestinal worms, urinary disorders, diabetes, wounds, head lice, skin ulcers and as a mosquito replant. Oh, and did I mention leprosy?

Nepali Hog Plums

Nepali Hog Plums are native to Napal and also go by the name lapsi. It is an abundant fruit in Nepal making them affordable in local markets in that poverty prone nation. The fruit is about 3 centimeters long with green to yellow skin. It has a white colored flesh that tastes sour. In Nepal they are pickled, cooked with vegetables, and used as a souring ingredient.

Nere Fruit

Néré Fruit is also known as the African locust bean grown in many areas in Africa. Its pods contain useful seeds and a sweet pulp. The seeds are often crushed and fermented for use as a seasoning or in local medicines. The pulp is made into beverages and widely used to feed livestock.

Newton Pippin Apple

Newton Pippin Apple is one of the oldest American varieties. It appears to have come from England in the 18^th Century, and was grown on the estates of George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. It is just one of the 2,500 apple varieties grown in the United States today. Apples have been grown and eaten since the Roman Era and quite possibly before that. If you want more information on just a few of the most popular American apples check out our apples nutritio guide.

Nocera Grape

Nocera Grape is a dark black grape that comes from Sicily. This Italian grape is known for making deeply colored, high acidity wines. Now if you have a sudden urge to do something with grapes other than drink their sweet fermented nectar, check out Everything You Need To Know About Grapes .

Nopal Fruit

Nopal Fruit is a prickly pear cactus native to Mexico and the southwestern United States. It has been commonly used in Mexican cuisine for hundreds of years, but has only recently begun exportation to the United States. The Nopal can be eaten raw or cooked as it is a versatile fruit used in salads, soups, tacos, and a variety of other Mexican cuisine.

Northern Spy Apples

Northern Spy Apples were developed on a New York farm around 1840. It is considered a winter apple as it is picked in late October or November and stores well in cold storage. Like most of the other 2,500 variety of Apples grown in the United States, it is useful in making pies, cider, and a variety of classic desserts. Try them in Easy Apple Cider or one of our perennial favorites Easy Apple Galette Recipe.

Nungu Fruit

Nungu Fruit or Ice Apple is a translucent fruit grown in India where it is considered a refreshing summer snack. It is also eaten locally as a remedy for stomach aches and digestive issues.

Nutmeg

Nutmeg is no doubt in your spice cabinet, but it can also be used as a whole fruit made into jam or a crystalized candy.

Nuts

Many nuts are technically fruit. Particularly chestnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and walnuts. The question is does it matter? People commonly remind me that tomatoes are fruit when I call them vegetables. Our non-scientific definition of a fruit is “Would you cut it up and put it on cereal or in yogurt?” If so, it is probably a fruit.