50+ Delicious Fruits Starting with C You Must Try Today!

Fruit makes a great snack, but can you name a few fruits that start with C? Don’t worry if you can’t—I’m here to help! This list will get you ready for any fruit quiz.
I’ll share both common and scientific names of more than 50 fruits starting with C, including some well-known and some rare ones. Fruits are the edible parts of plants that usually have juicy flesh and can be sweet or sour, like citrus fruits.
They grow all over the world, but only some appear in grocery stores. See how many you recognize! Fruits are not only tasty but also good for you, providing fiber that helps with digestion.
If you love this list, stay tuned—I also have lists of vegetables and other foods starting with C!
Why Fruits Starting with C Are Popular
Fruits that start with a c dominate my grocery list for three reasons. First, they’re available year-round in most places. Second, they’re incredibly versatile – I throw them in smoothies, salads, desserts, you name it. Third, the health benefits are insane.
I started tracking my energy levels when I increased my intake of fruits and vegetables that start with c. Within two weeks, I noticed a significant improvement in my afternoon energy crashes. The vitamin C alone from citrus fruits was game-changing for my immune system.
How These Fruits Benefit Your Health
Here’s what most people don’t realize: a fruit that starts with c typically contains more vitamin C per serving than you need in an entire day. I learned this the hard way when I was constantly getting sick during my early business years. Started eating more citrus, and boom – problem solved.
Fruit that starts with the letter c varieties like cherries contain anthocyanins that reduce inflammation. I noticed less joint stiffness after my workouts when I added tart cherries to my post-gym routine.
Here are 50+ fruits starting with C – let’s get learning!
C is for a diverse world of flavors, from tropical gems to familiar household fruits. Here is a list of some popular fruits that start with c:

Chocolate & Exotic Delights
🍫 Cacao — The source of all things chocolate!
🌵 Cactus Pear — A prickly surprise of sweetness.
🍋 Calamansi — A tangy citrus bursting with zest.
🍊 Clementine — A seedless citrus wonder.
🍍 Cupuacu — The Amazonian cousin of cacao with a creamy twist.
🍒 Caviar Lime — Tiny, zesty pearls of citrus joy.
Tropical Wonders
🍍 Cempedak — A cousin of jackfruit, sweet and fragrant.
🍈 Canistel — A creamy, egg-like texture with a hint of sweetness.
🍉 Cantaloupe — A juicy, orange melon perfect for sunny days.
🥥 Coco Plum — Tiny, but packed with flavor, these gems have a tart edge.
🍇 Cape Gooseberry — Tiny golden berries that pack a punch.
From the Orchard & Forest
🍏 Cara Cara — A sweet, pink-hued navel orange.
🍓 Cherimoya — Also known as the “custard apple” — creamy, smooth, and rich.
🍒 Cherry — A classic with a burst of tartness.
🍎 Crab Apple — Small, tart, and bursting with character.
🍒 Cherry Plum — A cross between a plum and cherry.
🍑 Chico Fruit — The caramel apple of the tropical world.
Less Common, But Equally Delightful
🌰 Cashew Apple — The juicy fruit that holds the famous cashew nut.
🌰 Cedar Bay Cherry — A rare, tiny cherry with rich flavor.
🍓 Changunga — Often found in the wilds of Africa, it’s a sweet-tart treat.
🍎 Colonnade ‘Maypole’ Apple — A specialized apple variety.
🍏 Cornelian Cherry — More like a berry, with a unique tart flavor.
🍅 Cucumber — Crisp and refreshing, a vegetable that feels like a fruit.
Not to Forget the Unique Ones
🌵 Chayote — An edible vegetable pear, often confused with a fruit.
🍒 Chokecherry — A wild cherry with a uniquely bitter edge.
🍇 Cranberry — A tart, health-packed fruit.
🍓 Cascara — The dried husk of coffee cherries, often used for tea.
🍋 Citron — The citrus with a thick, fragrant peel.
🍓 Cucumber — Crunchy, fresh, and often mistaken for a fruit.
Fruits and Vegetables Starting with C 🍇🍊🥕
Fruits
🍫 Cacao — The fruit behind all our favorite chocolate delights.
🍍 Cantaloupe — A sweet, juicy melon with a soft orange flesh.
🌵 Cactus Pear — Prickly on the outside, sweet and juicy on the inside.
🍋 Calamansi — A sour citrus fruit, popular in Southeast Asia.
🍊 Clementine — A small, easy-to-peel citrus.
🍒 Cherimoya — Creamy, custard-like texture, a tropical indulgence.
🍒 Cherry — A classic summer fruit, sweet and tart.
🍏 Cara Cara — A type of navel orange with pink flesh.
🍊 Carambola (Starfruit) — A star-shaped fruit that’s both sweet and tart.
🍈 Canistel — Also called “eggfruit,” creamy with a sweet flavor.
🍇 Cape Gooseberry — Tiny, golden fruits encased in a papery husk, tart and sweet.
🍇 Caviar Lime — A unique citrus with small, tangy pearls.
🍓 Cupuacu — A tropical fruit closely related to cacao, creamy and sweet.
🍇 Cherry Plum — A small stone fruit that’s both sweet and tart.
🍎 Crab Apple — Small, sour, and often used for jellies.
🍒 Chokecherry — A wild cherry, very bitter unless processed.
Vegetables
🥕 Carrot — The classic orange root vegetable, crunchy and sweet.
🥔 Celeriac (Celery Root) — A knobby, earthy root vegetable with a celery-like flavor.
🥬 Collard Greens — Dark, leafy greens, often used in Southern cooking.
🌽 Corn — A staple grain that’s technically a vegetable when harvested young.
🍄 Chanterelle Mushroom — A beautiful, trumpet-shaped wild mushroom.
🥦 Cauliflower — A versatile vegetable, white and crunchy, used in many dishes.
🥬 Chinese Cabbage — A mild, leafy vegetable used in stir-fries and soups.
🍄 Chaga Mushroom — Though more of a fungus, it’s a highly nutritious “vegetable” found in the wild.
🍅 Chayote — Often considered a vegetable, it’s a type of squash that’s crunchy and mild.
Fruit Characteristics: Seeds, Color, and Flavor
Seeds in Fruits Starting with C
Most fruits that start with C have seeds. For example, cherries and cantaloupe both have seeds, and their seeds are essential for reproduction. Not only do these seeds play a role in growing the next generation of fruits, but they also contain nutrients. Think of cantaloupe seeds, which are rich in fiber and healthy fats.
Sweet vs. Bitter Fruits Starting with C
I’ve always found the balance between sweet and bitter fruits interesting. For instance, cherries are sweet, but cranberries can be pretty bitter unless you sweeten them. Even some citrus fruits like Calamondin are more bitter than sweet, making them perfect for adding a sharp, tangy twist to recipes.
Color-Based Categories of Fruits (Green & Orange Fruits)
It’s also fun to categorize fruits that start with letter c by color.
- Green fruits that start with c: Think cucumbers and calamondin.
- Orange fruits that start with c: You’ve got your cantaloupe and citrus fruits like clementines.
Citrus Fruits Starting with C
Citrus fruits starting with C are a powerhouse of Vitamin C. That’s why I love them. Not only do they keep your immune system strong, but they’re also perfect for any dish that needs a refreshing zest.
List of Citrus Fruits Starting with C
Here are some citrus fruits that start with C:
- Clementine: Small, sweet, and easy to peel.
- Calamondin: A sour citrus, often used in Filipino cuisine.
- Citron: A fragrant citrus, often used in preserves.
Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits
The benefits of citrus fruits that start with c are huge. They’re packed with Vitamin C, antioxidants, and fiber. I’ve found that eating citrus regularly can boost my immune system, improve my skin, and even help with digestion.
Regional and Exotic Fruits
If you’re into exploring exotic fruits starting with c, you’ve got to check out Cempedak from Southeast Asia or Calamansi from the Philippines. These fruits are used in a variety of traditional dishes and are packed with flavor.
Let’s compare common fruits like cherries with tropical fruits such as Cherimoya or Cempedak. Tropical fruits tend to have more complex flavors and textures, whereas common fruits like cantaloupe and cranberries are more familiar and accessible.
Popular Fruit Names in Different Languages
If you speak other languages, you might enjoy knowing that fruits that start with c have different names around the world. In Spanish, cherries are cereza, and in French, citron means lemon.
How Different Languages Name Fruits that Start with C
Across cultures, fruits starting with c carry different meanings and uses. Some fruits like cantaloupe are known by different names in different languages, reflecting their cultural significance.
Culinary and Baking with Fruits Starting with C
Cakes with Fruits Starting with C
Cakes with fruit that start with c are my weekend weakness. Cherry cheesecake, cantaloupe upside-down cake, cranberry coffee cake. I’ve made all of these for family gatherings.
Fruit food that starts with c works particularly well in baking because the natural sugars caramelize beautifully. My cherry clafoutis recipe has been requested at every dinner party for three years straight.
Recipes Using Fruits that Start with C
You can easily incorporate fruits that start with c into your meals. A cherry compote is perfect for topping pancakes, or try a refreshing cantaloupe salad with mint.
Best Ways to Cook with Fruits Starting with C
Here’s a tip: citrus fruits work wonders in savory dishes, and cherries are great in baked goods. The key is balancing the sweetness or tartness with your other ingredients.
Related :
Nutritional Benefits of Fruits Starting with C
Vitamin C and Other Key Nutrients
A fruit that starts with c and has 6 letters like cherry contains vitamin C, potassium, and anthocyanins. These compounds work synergistically for better absorption.
These varieties typically contain 20-100% of your daily vitamin C needs. I track this in my nutrition app to avoid unnecessary supplementation.
How These Fruits Support Your Health
Fruits that start with c and end in y like cherry and cranberry contain compounds that reduce inflammation markers. My blood work improved significantly after adding these to my daily routine.
Provides targeted health benefits. Cherries help with sleep quality due to natural melatonin content.
Fun Facts About Fruits Starting with C
Ever wondered about the history behind cherimoya? It was once called the “fruit of the gods” by the Incas. And cherries have been prized for their health benefits for centuries.
Citrus fruits were once so valuable that they were used as a form of currency in some places. The Calamondin has also played a significant role in traditional medicine.
Conclusion
All in all, fruits that start with c offer variety, flavor, and amazing health benefits. Whether you’re adding them to a salad, making a cake, or just snacking, there’s a fruit that starts with c for every occasion.
Key Takeaways
Make sure to incorporate fruits that start with c into your diet for their rich flavors, health benefits, and versatility. From the familiar cherries to the exotic cempedak, these fruits are well worth trying!
FAQs
What fruits start with C?
A detailed list includes cherries, cantaloupe, and cranberries.
Are there vegetables that start with C?
Yes! Examples include carrots, cabbage, and celery.
What are citrus fruits that start with C?
Clementine, Calamondin, and Citron are all citrus fruits.
How do I use fruits starting with C in recipes?
You can make cherry compote, bake a cantaloupe cake, or toss cranberries into a smoothie.
Are there exotic fruits starting with C?
Absolutely! Cempedak and Calamondin are great examples of exotic fruits from tropical regions.
What fruits starting with C are good for health?
Citrus fruits, cherries, and cantaloupe all offer fantastic health benefits.
What makes a fruit starting with C unique?
Their range of flavors from sweet to bitter, seed types, colors, textures, and cultural stories make fruits starting with C stand out in the fruit world.