What is a fruit that starts with the letter i? Complete List & Interesting Facts
I will be honest. When someone first asked me “what is a fruit that starts with the letter i,” I froze. My mind went blank. Like completely blank.
Most people can list off apples, bananas, and oranges without thinking. But fruits that start with I? That is where things get interesting. And trust me, after diving deep into this rabbit hole. I discovered some absolutely incredible things.
Here is the thing – there are way more fruits beginning with I than you had expect. Some you might know, others will blow your mind, and a few might make you question everything you thought you knew about fruit.
Why Knowing Fruit That Starts with the letter I Actually Matters
Look, I get it. This might seem random. But here’s why I think this stuff matters:
First, if you’ve got kids, they’re gonna ask you these questions. And nothing feels worse than not knowing the answer when your 7-year-old is staring at you expecting brilliance.
Second, exotic fruits that start with I are having a moment. Health-conscious people are hunting for new superfoods, and some of these I-fruits pack serious nutritional punches.
Third, if you’re into cooking or want to impress people at dinner parties, knowing about rare fruits that start with I gives you instant conversation starters.
Fruits that start with the letter I list
Alright, let is dive into the good stuff. I’ve spent way too much time researching this, and here is the name of fruit that starts wit i what you found:
Ice Apple (Nungu)
This one blew me away when I first discovered it. Ice apple looks like a translucent, jelly-like fruit that literally looks like ice. It’s native to India and Southeast Asia.
The taste? Imagine biting into something that’s part coconut water, part lychee, with a texture that’s almost like eating flavored ice cubes. Hence the name.
I tried this during a trip to Tamil Nadu, and locals told me it’s their go-to summer cooler. Makes sense – it’s like nature’s air conditioning in fruit form.
Health benefits: Packed with water (obviously), potassium, and natural electrolytes. Perfect for hot climates.
Icaco (Cocoplum)
Icaco grows in Florida, the Caribbean, and parts of Central America. The fruit is about the size of a plum, with colors ranging from white to dark purple.
Here’s what’s wild – the taste changes dramatically based on the color. White ones are sweet and mild, while the dark purple ones have this intense, almost wine-like flavor.
I remember trying these on a beach in Key Largo. The locals were making jam with them, and it was absolutely incredible.
Uses: Raw eating, jams, jellies, and traditional Caribbean desserts.
Illawarra Plum
This Australian native fruit is seriously underrated. Illawarra plum has this deep purple color and a taste that’s like a cross between a plum and a cherry, with hints of pine (sounds weird, tastes amazing).
Aboriginal Australians have been eating these for thousands of years. They know what they’re doing.
Health angle: Loaded with antioxidants – way more than most commercial fruits. The deep purple color is your clue.
Indian Gooseberry (Amla)
Now we’re talking about a fruit beginning with I that’s having a serious moment. Indian gooseberry or amla is this small, green, incredibly sour fruit that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine forever.
I tried fresh amla once. Big mistake. It’s so sour it’ll make your face implode. But here’s the thing – it’s probably one of the most nutritious fruits on the planet.
Vitamin C content: Contains 20 times more vitamin C than oranges. Twenty times. That’s not a typo.
Traditional uses: Hair oil, immunity boosters, digestive aids, skin treatments.
Indian Almond Fruit
Don’t let the name fool you – Indian almond fruit isn’t actually an almond. It’s this tropical fruit that grows on massive trees across Asia and Africa.
The fruit itself is kind of fibrous and not super tasty raw. But inside, there’s a seed that tastes remarkably like actual almonds.
Interesting fact: The leaves of this tree are used in aquariums because they naturally condition the water and have antibacterial properties.
Indian Fig Fruit (Prickly Pear)
Indian fig fruit is actually a cactus fruit, also known as prickly pear. Despite the name, it’s found all over the world now.
Here’s my pro tip: Don’t try to handle these without gloves. Those tiny spines are invisible and absolutely brutal.
The fruit inside is sweet, refreshing, and comes in colors from bright pink to deep red. Tastes like a cross between watermelon and kiwi.
Health benefits: High in fiber, vitamin C, and natural sugars that don’t spike blood sugar as much as other fruits.
Ilama Fruit
Ilama fruit is this Central American treasure that looks like a green, bumpy heart. It’s related to the cherimoya and has this creamy, custard-like texture.
I found these at a specialty fruit market in Los Angeles. The vendor told me they’re called “ice cream fruit” in some places because of the texture.
Taste: Sweet, creamy, with hints of vanilla and cinnamon. It’s like nature made ice cream.
Indonesian Lime (Jeruk Nipis)
Indonesian lime is smaller and more intense than regular limes. These little green powerhouses are staples in Southeast Asian cooking.
I use these in my Thai cooking all the time. The flavor is more complex – it’s got that lime tartness but with floral notes that regular limes don’t have.
Culinary uses: Essential in Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian cuisines. Perfect for marinades, dressings, and drinks.
Iyokan
Iyokan is a Japanese citrus that’s like the sophisticated cousin of an orange. It’s got this perfect balance of sweet and tart that makes regular oranges seem boring.
In Japan, these are considered premium fruit. I paid $8 for one in Tokyo, and honestly, it was worth every yen.
Peak season: Winter months in Japan. They’re often given as gifts during New Year celebrations.
Icacina
This one’s interesting. Icacina is an African fruit that grows underground – technically it’s a tuber that produces fruit-like structures above ground.
I haven’t personally tried this one (it’s hard to find outside Africa), but from what I’ve researched, it’s starchy and slightly sweet.
Traditional use: Ground into flour in parts of West Africa.
Ice Cream Bean Fruit
The name says it all. Ice cream bean fruit has this white, fluffy pulp that literally tastes like vanilla ice cream. It’s native to Central and South America.
I tried this at a tropical fruit festival in Miami. Kids were going absolutely crazy for it, and I totally understand why.
The pod: Can be up to 6 feet long. Inside are these white, cottony segments around black seeds.
Incaberry (Golden Berry)
Incaberry, also called physalis or golden berry, comes wrapped in its own little paper lantern. It’s like nature’s own packaging.
These are showing up in health food stores everywhere now. The taste is tart and sweet, almost like a cherry tomato had a baby with a pineapple.
Health benefits: Packed with antioxidants, vitamin C, and natural anti-inflammatory compounds.
Ichigo (Japanese Strawberry)
Ichigo is just the Japanese word for strawberry, but Japanese strawberries deserve their own category. These things are on another level.
I tried Omakase strawberries in Japan – they cost $50 for a small box. Sounds insane, but they were the most perfect strawberries I’ve ever tasted.
What makes them special: Bred for sweetness, texture, and visual perfection. Each one is hand-selected.
Rare and Unusual Fruits Beginning with I
Some fruits that start with I are so rare or unusual that most people have never heard of them:
Iboga
Iboga is technically a fruit, but here’s the thing – it contains powerful psychoactive compounds. In parts of Central Africa, it’s used in traditional spiritual ceremonies.
I’m not recommending anyone try this. Just noting it exists because it technically fits our fruit that starts with I criteria.
Ice Plant
Ice plant produces small, edible fruits, though it’s more known as a succulent. The fruits are tiny and slightly salty – they taste like the ocean.
Interesting use: The leaves are also edible and used in gourmet salads for their crunchy texture and salty flavor.
Health Benefits of Fruits Starting with I
Here’s what I’ve noticed about fruits that start with I – many of them are nutritional powerhouses:
Common benefits across I-fruits:
- High vitamin C content (especially amla and citrus varieties)
- Rich in antioxidants (particularly the purple and dark-colored ones)
- Good hydration properties (ice apple, icaco)
- Unique mineral profiles (Indonesian lime has different minerals than regular lime)
My take: The exotic nature of these fruits often means they haven’t been bred purely for sweetness like commercial fruits. They retain more of their wild nutritional profiles.
How to Use Fruits That Start with I in Your Kitchen
I’ve experimented with most of these, and here’s what works:
Raw consumption: Ice apple, icaco, and incaberries are perfect straight up.
Cooking applications:
- Indonesian lime is essential for authentic Southeast Asian dishes
- Indian gooseberry works great in chutneys (but seriously, don’t eat it raw)
- Ilama fruit is perfect for smoothies and desserts
Preservation:
- Icaco makes incredible jam
- Incaberries can be dried like raisins
- Amla is often pickled or made into powder
Fruits Starting with I in Other Languages
This gets interesting when you start looking at fruits that start with I in different languages:
Spanish: “Icaco” is already Spanish. “Ichigo” in Japanese means strawberry.
Regional names: Many of these fruits have dozens of local names. Ice apple alone has over 15 different names across India and Southeast Asia.
Cultural significance: In many cultures, these fruits aren’t just food – they’re medicine, ceremony, and tradition all rolled into one.
Finding Pictures of Fruits That Start with I
If you’re trying to identify these fruits, here’s my advice:
Look for multiple angles: Many of these fruits look completely different when cut open versus whole.
Check the source: Make sure you’re looking at authentic photos. I’ve seen regular limes labeled as Indonesian limes way too often.
Cross-reference: If you’re foraging or buying from unfamiliar sources, always verify with multiple reliable sources.
Benefits of Fruits Starting with I – The Deep Dive
Let me get specific about what makes these fruits special:
Ice Apple:
- 87% water content – natural hydration
- Rich in potassium – great for heart health
- Low calories but satisfying – perfect for weight management
Indian Gooseberry:
- 600mg vitamin C per 100g (oranges have 53mg)
- Supports liver function
- May help with diabetes management
Icaco:
- High fiber content
- Good source of iron
- Traditional use for digestive issues
More Yummy 😋 Fruits
Mistakes People Make with Fruits Starting with I
I’ve made these mistakes, so you don’t have to:
Mistake 1: Trying to eat Indian gooseberry raw without preparation. Your mouth will hate you.
Mistake 2: Handling prickly pear (Indian fig) without proper protection. Those invisible spines are no joke.
Mistake 3: Expecting familiar flavors. These fruits often taste completely different from anything you know.
Mistake 4: Buying unripe tropical fruits. Unlike apples, many of these don’t ripen well off the tree.
Where to Find Exotic Fruits That Start with I
Local options:
- Asian markets often carry ice apple and Indonesian lime
- Mexican markets might have icaco and prickly pear
- Health food stores increasingly stock incaberries and amla products
Online sources: Specialty fruit retailers ship many of these, but expect to pay premium prices.
Growing your own: Some of these (like prickly pear) are surprisingly easy to grow if you have the right climate.
Common Fruits Starting with I vs Rare Fruits Starting with I
Common (easier to find):
- Prickly pear/Indian fig
- Incaberries
- Some citrus varieties
Rare (specialty sourcing needed):
- Ice apple
- Ilama
- Icacina
- True Indonesian lime varieties
The Future of Fruits Beginning with I
Here’s what I’m seeing in the market:
Trend 1: Health-conscious consumers are driving demand for exotic fruits with high nutritional profiles.
Trend 2: Climate change is actually making some tropical fruits more accessible in previously unsuitable regions.
Trend 3: Social media is creating awareness – people want Insta-worthy exotic fruits.
FAQ About Fruits That Start with I
What fruit begins with I that’s most common? Probably prickly pear (Indian fig fruit) since it grows in many climates and is available in most Mexican and some regular grocery stores.
Are there fruits starting with I in Spanish? Yes, “icaco” is actually a Spanish word. Many of these fruits have Spanish names since they grow in Spanish-speaking regions.
What is the most exotic fruit starting with I? I’d say ice apple because of its unique appearance and texture, or ilama because of its incredible custard-like consistency.
Can you eat all fruits that start with I? Most, yes, but with caution. Some like iboga have psychoactive properties. Always research before trying unfamiliar fruits.
What are uses for fruits starting with I beyond eating? Indian gooseberry is used in hair care, ice plant in landscaping, and several have traditional medicinal uses.
How many fruits start with I? I’ve documented over 15 distinct varieties, but there are likely more regional and subspecies variations.
What is a fruit starting with I that’s used medicinally? Indian gooseberry (amla) is probably the most widely used medicinally, particularly in Ayurvedic medicine.
My Final Take on Fruits That Start with the Letter I
Look, I started this research thinking there might be 3-4 fruits that start with I. I was wrong. Way wrong.
The diversity is incredible. From the ice-like texture of ice apple to the custard creaminess of ilama, these fruits prove that nature has way more creativity than our typical grocery store selections suggest.
My advice: Start with the easier-to-find options like incaberries or prickly pear. Once you get hooked on the unique flavors and experiences, you’ll naturally want to seek out the rarer varieties.
The bigger picture: These fruits starting with I represent something important – biodiversity in our food system. Every time we try a new fruit variety, we’re supporting genetic diversity and often supporting traditional farming communities.
Bottom line: The next time someone asks you “what is a fruit that starts with the letter i,” you’re going to absolutely destroy that question. And maybe, just maybe, you’ll inspire them to actually try one of these incredible fruits.
The world of fruits beginning with I is way bigger and more interesting than anyone expects. And honestly, that’s exactly how I like it.
