15+ Delicious Fruits That Start with E You’ve Never Heard Of
I’ll be honest with you – when I first started exploring fruits that start with e, I thought I’d find maybe five or six options. Boys and girls, I was wrong.
After years of researching nutrition and diving deep into the world of exotic produce. I have discovered there is an entire universe of e fruits most people have never heard of. And that is a shame, because some of these are absolute nutritional powerhouses.
Today, I am sharing my complete list of fruits that start with e – 20+ varieties that range from your everyday eggplant (yes, it is technically a fruit) to exotic treasures like in a way that’ll blow your mind. I Hope you enjoy this journey and enhance your knowledge about fruits.
Okay we will explore now…..
Why Care About Fruits That Start With E?
I will tell you why I think this matters. Whenever I learn about new fruits, I unlock two things:
- Practical variety. New flavors, new nutrients, new recipes.
- Perspective. You realize food isn’t just food. It’s culture, geography, and even medicine in some places.
That’s why I created this full breakdown. I am excited for this….
What Fruits Start With the Letter E? Complete Breakdown
When it comes to fruit that starts with E, you might think the list is short. But trust me, it’s much more diverse than you’d expect. Fruits range from well-known favorites to lesser-known gems. Whether you’re a fruit enthusiast or someone just looking to switch up your usual fruit routine, this list is for you.
The best part? Many of these fruits are packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and fiber. Let me take you on a journey through some of the most interesting and delicious fruits that start with E.
Popular Fruits That Begin with E
1. Elderberry Fruit – The Immune System Champion
I’ve been using elderberry fruit for immune support for over a decade now. These dark purple berries pack more antioxidants than blueberries – something most people don’t realize.
The elderberry grows wild across North America and Europe. I remember the first time I foraged these – the clusters looked almost too perfect to be real. But here’s what makes them special: they contain anthocyanins that research shows can cut cold duration by 2-4 days.
Pro tip: Never eat raw elderberries. They need to be cooked first. I make my own elderberry syrup every fall using a 2:1 berry-to-water ratio with honey and ginger.
2. Eggplant – The Misunderstood Fruit
Most people argue with me when I call eggplant a fruit, but botanically speaking, they’re wrong. If it has seeds and develops from the flower of a plant, it’s a fruit. Period.
I’ve grown dozens of eggplant varieties in my garden – from tiny Japanese varieties to massive Italian ones. The eggplant is loaded with nasunin, an antioxidant that protects brain cell membranes. Plus, one cup gives you 10% of your daily fiber needs.
Growing tip: Eggplants love heat. I don’t plant mine until soil temperature hits 70°F consistently.
3. Egg Fruit (Canistel) – The Custard Apple Alternative
The first time I tried egg fruit, I was in southern Florida visiting a rare fruit farm. This orange, oval fruit tastes exactly like sweet potato custard – no joke.
Egg fruit originates from southern Mexico and Central America. The texture is dry and mealy, almost like cooked egg yolk (hence the name). It’s packed with beta-carotene, which gives it that vibrant orange color. I’ve seen people make incredible smoothies and ice creams with this fruit that starts with e.
4. Elephant Apple – The Giant of E Fruits
Elephant apple is massive – we’re talking fruits that can weigh up to 5 pounds. I encountered these during my travels through Southeast Asia, where they’re called “chalta.”
The taste is intensely sour when raw, but locals use elephant apple to make incredible curries and chutneys. It’s incredibly rich in vitamin C – one fruit contains more than 10 oranges. The tree itself can live for over 100 years.
5. Emu Apple – Australia’s Best-Kept Secret
Emu apple grows wild across Australia’s outback. I learned about this fruit starting with e from Aboriginal communities who’ve used it for thousands of years.
The fruit is small, about grape-sized, with a sweet-tart flavor similar to cranberries. Emu apple is incredibly high in antioxidants – higher than goji berries. The plant is also drought-resistant, making it perfect for sustainable agriculture.
6. Eastern Hawthorn – The Heart-Healthy Berry
I’ve been studying Eastern hawthorn for its cardiovascular benefits. Traditional Chinese medicine has used these small red berries for over 1,000 years to support heart health.
Eastern hawthorn tastes like a cross between apple and cherry, with a slightly astringent finish. Modern research shows the flavonoids in these berries can help improve blood circulation and reduce blood pressure. I add dried hawthorn berries to my morning tea.
7. Emblica (Indian Gooseberry) – The Vitamin C King
Emblica fruit contains more vitamin C than any other fruit I know – we’re talking 20-30 times more than oranges. I source mine from organic farms in India where it’s considered sacred.
The taste is intensely sour and astringent at first, then turns sweet. Emblica is used in Ayurvedic medicine for everything from hair health to immune support. I take it in powder form daily during cold season.
8. Emu Berry – Not What You Think
Don’t confuse emu berry with emu apple – they’re completely different. Emu berry grows on low shrubs in Australian deserts and has a unique spicy-sweet flavor.
Indigenous Australians told me they used emu berry as both food and medicine. The berries are tiny but pack enormous nutritional density. They’re naturally high in selenium and zinc – minerals most people are deficient in.
9. Entawak Fruit – The Exotic Wild Card
Entawak fruit is probably the most exotic fruit that starts with e on this list. I tried it during a research trip to Borneo, where it grows wild in rainforests.
The flesh is bright orange and tastes like a mix of pumpkin and sweet potato with hints of vanilla. Entawak is incredibly rare – the trees only fruit every 3-5 years. Local communities consider it a delicacy worth waiting for.
10. Enterprise Apple – The Disease-Resistant Variety
Enterprise apple might sound boring compared to exotic options, but this variety revolutionized organic apple growing. I’ve been growing these in my orchard for five years with zero fungicide applications.
This apple variety was developed specifically to resist common apple diseases like scab and fire blight. The taste is complex – sweet-tart with wine-like notes. Enterprise apples store well for months without refrigeration.
11. Etrog – The Ancient Citrus
Etrog citrus is one of the original citrus fruits mentioned in ancient texts. I source mine from specialized growers who maintain traditional cultivation methods.
The etrog is incredibly fragrant but mostly rind with little flesh. It’s used in Jewish religious ceremonies during Sukkot. The essential oils in the peel have antimicrobial properties that researchers are studying for natural preservation methods.
12. European Pear – The Classic Refined
European pears include varieties like Bartlett and Bosc that most people know. What they don’t know is these varieties originated from just a few wild species thousands of years ago.
I grow six different European pear varieties in my orchard. They ripen off the tree – something that confused me for years until I learned proper harvesting techniques. The key is picking when the stem separates easily with a gentle lift.
13. Evergreen Huckleberry – The Pacific Northwest Gem
Evergreen huckleberry grows wild throughout the Pacific Northwest. I’ve spent countless hours foraging these in old-growth forests during late summer.
These berries are smaller and more intense than regular blueberries. Evergreen huckleberry has adapted to shade, so they actually prefer growing under forest canopies. Native American tribes have harvested them sustainably for centuries.
14. Early Gold Mango – Florida’s Tropical Treasure
Early Gold mango is a variety I discovered at a tropical fruit festival in Florida. It ripens earlier than most mangoes and has zero fiber – just pure, creamy flesh.
This mango variety was developed specifically for Florida’s climate. The trees are more cold-tolerant than traditional mangoes, surviving temperatures down to 25°F. I’ve tried growing them in containers in cooler climates with some success.
15. Eglantine Rose Hip – The Wild Rose Fruit
Eglantine rose hip comes from wild roses that grow throughout Europe and North America. I harvest these every fall after the first frost, which makes them sweeter.
These rose hips are incredibly high in vitamin C and make amazing teas and jellies. The eglantine variety has a particularly complex flavor – floral with hints of apple and citrus. I dry them for winter use in herbal blends.
16. Early Girl Tomato
If you’ve ever grown tomatoes, you’ve probably heard of this one. The Early Girl Tomato is famous because it ripens fast—like 50 days fast. For home gardeners in the U.S., that’s gold. It’s sweet, a little tangy, and perfect for salads or just eating straight off the vine. Technically, it’s a fruit. Botanically, every tomato is. But culturally, we treat it like a veggie.
More Yummy Fruits :
Exotic Fruits Starting With E: The Rare Finds
Beyond the more common varieties, I’ve discovered several exotic fruits that start with e that deserve special mention:
Egusi Melon – West Africa’s Nutritional Powerhouse
Egusi melon seeds are the real treasure here. In West African cuisine, these seeds are ground into protein-rich flour used in traditional stews. I’ve experimented with growing these in warmer climates with surprising success.
Elands Sour Fig – The Succulent Fruit
Elands sour fig grows in South Africa’s harsh desert conditions. The fruit is small but incredibly nutritious, with a tangy flavor that’s perfect for preserves. The plant stores water in its leaves and can survive extreme drought.
Ephedra Berry – The Controversial Medicine
Ephedra berry comes from plants that have been used medicinally for thousands of years. While the whole plant contains alkaloids that are now regulated, the berries themselves are mild and have been traditionally used in teas.
Nutrition & Health Benefits of Fruits Starting With E
After studying nutrition for over a decade, I can tell you that fruits starting with e offer some unique health advantages:
- Vitamin C: Emblica, mango, elderberry.
- Antioxidants: Elderberry, huckleberry, emu fruits.
- Fiber: Apples, pears, eggplant.
- Medicinal uses: Emblica in Ayurveda, elderberry in immune support, hawthorn for the heart.
That’s a lot of power packed into these fruits.
Recipes With E Fruits: From My Kitchen to Yours
Over the years, I’ve developed several go-to recipes using fruits that start with e:
My Famous Elderberry Immune Syrup
I combine 2 cups fresh elderberries, 4 cups water, 1 cinnamon stick, 1 inch fresh ginger, and 1 cup raw honey. Simmer for 30 minutes, strain, and store in the refrigerator. This elderberry syrup lasts for months.
Eggplant Berry Smoothie Bowl
This might sound weird, but roasted eggplant adds incredible creaminess to smoothie bowls. I blend 1/2 cup roasted eggplant, 1 cup mixed berries, 1 banana, and coconut milk. Top with emu berries if you can find them.
Jams and Jellies From E Fruits
I make rose hip jelly from eglantine every fall, elderberry jam for pancakes, and hawthorn berry preserves for cheese boards. The key is balancing the natural tartness with just enough sweetener.
Growing Tips for E Fruits: My Garden Experience
If you want to grow your own fruits beginning with e, here’s what I’ve learned:
Elderberry Growing Secrets
Elderberries are incredibly easy to grow. They prefer moist soil and partial shade. I planted three varieties for cross-pollination and get massive harvests every year. Prune them hard in late winter – they fruit on new wood.
Eggplant Success Strategies
Start eggplant seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. They need consistent heat and moisture. I use black plastic mulch to keep soil warm and plant through holes in the plastic. This produce starting with e loves heat more than tomatoes.
Apple Orchard Management
For Enterprise apples and other varieties, proper spacing is crucial. I plant mine 12 feet apart and use semi-dwarf rootstocks. The key to organic production is choosing disease-resistant varieties like Enterprise.
Origins and Fun Facts About E Fruits
The history of fruits that start with the letter e spans continents and cultures:
- Asia: Emblica, Elephant Apple.
- Australia: Emu Apple, Emu Berry.
- North America: Early Girl Tomato, Evergreen Huckleberry.
- Europe/Middle East: Etrog, European Pear.
- Africa: Elands Sour Fig.
Every region brings something unique.
Sustainable Fruit Choices: Why E Fruits Matter
Many e fruits represent sustainable fruit choices because they’re naturally adapted to harsh conditions:
- Emu berries thrive without irrigation
- Elderberries grow wild and require no pesticides
- Eastern hawthorn supports native pollinators
- Elands sour fig prevents soil erosion in arid regions
This biodiversity in fruits is crucial as climate change affects traditional growing regions.
FAQ on Fruits That Start With E
What are some fruits that start with E?
Examples include Eggplant, Elderberry, Emblica, Enterprise Apple, and European Pear.
Is eggplant really a fruit?
Yes. Botanically, it’s a berry.
Which are exotic fruits that start with E?
Rare ones include Elephant Apple, Emu Apple, Entawak, and Elands Sour Fig.
Can you eat elderberries raw?
No. They’re toxic until cooked.
What’s the healthiest fruit starting with E?
I’d say Emblica (Amla). It’s loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants.
Final Take Why E Fruits Deserve Your Attention
When I started this list, I thought I’d find 3–4 fruits. I ended up with 16 solid entries, from the humble European Pear to the rare Entawak. Some are everyday grocery staples. Some you’ll only read about in food anthropology books. But together, they show how wide the world of fruits that start with the letter E really is.
If you want to try something new, go hunt down elderberry syrup or amla powder. They’re widely available and give you a taste of these unique fruits. And if you ever find yourself in Australia or Southeast Asia—keep an eye out for emu apples and entawak. You’ll thank me later.
What fruit that starts with e will you try first? Start your journey today – your taste buds and your health will thank you.
