16 Fruits That Start With Z

Jamie Scott

By Jamie Scott

Lastest Updated August 16, 2025
Home » Fruits A-Z » 16 Fruits That Start With Z

Fruits that start with the letter Z are not easy for many to come by, but they will surely impress you with their uniqueness. These fruits are often found in specific regions and boast unique tastes, textures, and health benefits.

From the zesty zest of certain citrus fruits to the sweet and sour balance of others, each one offers a distinct flavor profile to the world of Z-starting food. They are versatile in culinary use, appearing in everything from fresh salads and smoothies to gourmet dishes and desserts.

After getting to know the fruits, I suggest taking your time to look at the vegetables that also have their names starting with the letter Z.

16 Fruits That Start with Letter Z with Filters

These are 16 fruits starting with Z just for you to explore. Make full use of the filter system to uncover the fruits employed for dishes and beverages.

Then uncover some exotic and fruit vegetable varieties that also have their names starting with Z.

Zucchini

  • For Dishes
  • Fruit Vegetables

Zucchini is a summer squash often served as a vegetable, although it is technically a fruit. Originating from Central America and Mexico, it comes in various colors, including green, golden yellow, and bright yellow.

As for the shapes, they are long and thin to egg-shaped forms. Its outer skin tastes grassy and earthy, but inside, it’s watery, slightly sweet, and mild.

Known as “courgette” in British English and “baby marrow” in South Africa, zucchini is ideal for steaming, grilling, or roasting.

Zill Mango

  • For Beverages
  • For Dishes

Zill mango is a tropical fruit developed in Lake Worth, Florida, by Lawrence Zill in 1940, blending the Haden and Bombay mango varieties.

Noted for its juicy, minimally fibrous texture, this mango sports a green-yellow skin with hints of purple or red, covering sweet, aromatic flesh.

Zill mangoes mature around June to early July but aren’t suited for long storage.

Zestar Apple

  • For Dishes

Zestar apple is an apple variety bred in 1999 at the University of Minnesota, also known as minnewashta. These apples are crisp and flavorful even when stored.

They offer a perfect balance of sweet and tart, packed with nutrients and dietary fiber. They are great for enjoying fresh, baked, or in pastries for a burst of juicy delight.

Zinfandel Grape

  • For Beverages

Zinfandel grape is a dark-skinned grape variety that originated in Croatia. Known for producing high-alcohol wines, including the pink-white Zinfandel, these grapes are cherished for their high sugar content.

These grapes offer a sweet profile and spice notes.

Zabergau Reinette Apple

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Zabergau reinette apple is a German heirloom variety known for its greenish-yellow and russet skin. These medium to large apples have sandy-textured skin and dense flesh.

In terms of flavors, these apples have a sweet, tangy flavor that becomes sweeter with storage. They’re now popular in Europe and North America, favored for desserts, pies, and sauces.

Zebra Melon

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  • For Dishes

Zebra melon, also known as French cantaloupe, is a round or oval fruit. This melon belongs to the same family as tomatoes, having a waxy and rough peel of gray or green color.

It has an outside netted texture, while the inside flesh is juicy, aromatic, and sweet. Grown across Europe, Northern Africa, and Southeast Asia, zebra melons are high in water content, with a floral aroma and sweet juiciness.

Zwetschge

  • For Dishes

Zwetschge, also known as prune plum or sugar plum, is a small, oval-shaped fruit with smooth skin that ranges from dark red to almost black. Its sweet golden-yellow to green-yellow flesh is dense.

Popular in Mediterranean regions, Austria, and Hungary, it ripens in late summer to early fall. The plum is cherished for making jams, prunes, and European baked goods.

Zweigelt Grape

  • For Beverages

Zweigelt grape is a purplish-red fruit developed in Austria by Dr. Friedrich Fritz Zweigelt, initially named Rotburger. Grown across Austria and in countries like Canada and New Zealand, it’s known for its high tannin content.

The grape is a cross between the St. Laurent and Blaufränkisch varieties. This grape is perfect for crafting full-bodied wines, with rich, Pinot-like flavors of raspberries and spiced cherries, complemented by pleasant acidity.

Zalzalak

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  • For Dishes

Zalzalak is a vibrant fruit in Iran’s northwest and grown in North America, North Africa, and Asia. Resembling a crabapple in size and sporting a light pink to red hue, this berry-sized fruit offers a sweet-sour taste.

They are ideal for fresh consumption or for making jams, jellies, and wines.

Zig Zag Vine Fruit

  • Exotic
  • For Beverages

Zig zag vine fruit is a unique wild fruit from Maritime Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and parts of Australia. These are peanut-sized, oblong-shaped fruits, and the red or orange-red skin encases tangy flesh.

For some, the fruits are like orange sherbet, popularly used in sauces and liqueurs.

Ziziphus Mauritiana Fruit

  • For Dishes

Ziziphus mauritiana fruit, also known as Chinese date or Indian plum, is a small, delicious fruit originating from South Asia. Its wrinkly, thin skin encloses chewy, sweet, white flesh with a pleasant aroma.

When mature, the fruit changes from green to yellow, then red. Found on large shrubs and trees, these fruits are available mainly from January to March, best for enjoying raw or dried into candies and desserts.

Zhe Fruit

  • Exotic
  • For Dishes

Zhe fruit, also known as che fruit, Chinese mulberry, or Mandarin melon berry, is a fruit that sprouts in late spring or early summer in East Asia. Its wrinkled, raspberry-like exterior boasts a chewy flesh.

Zhe fruit tastes like cantaloupe or watermelon, making it a delight to enjoy fresh. The fruit is a popular pick for adding to smoothies or tossed in salads.

Zawngtah

  • For Dishes
  • Fruit Vegetables

Zawngtah is an Indian fruit with various names, such as bitter beans or stink beans. These beans have a flat, long shape, resembling almonds in size and flavor.

Interestingly, they also possess a distinct mushroom-like aroma. This versatile legume-like fruit goes well with proteins like shrimp, along with garlic, peppers, and other spices.

Zawngtah is commonly used in savory dishes, including stir-fries and Asian delicacies. Furthermore, the seeds can be eaten alone or with the entire pod.

Zante Currant

  • For Dishes

Zante currant is an ancient raisin variety. Originating from the black corinth grape, these tiny, seedless fruits have thin skins.

Named after the Ionian island of Zakynthos (Zante), they were once primarily produced there.

Now cultivated in Greece, Australia, South Africa, and America, these reddish-black, sweet currants are meticulously cared for and commonly used dried in baked goods from British cuisine like Christmas puddings and fruitcakes.

Zapote

  • Exotic
  • For Beverages
  • For Dishes

Zapote, also known as red mamey or mamey sapote, is a juicy fruit originating in Central America and Southern Mexico. This fruit has a soft and sweet profile.

With a round shape, deep-brown peel, and reddish-orange flesh, zapote offers a distinctive taste reminiscent of sweet potatoes, pumpkin pies, and caramel, making it perfect for jams, ice creams, and smoothies.

Zarzamora

  • For Beverages
  • For Dishes

Zarzamora is the Spanish term for blackberries, found widely across Europe and North America, particularly in Spain and Mexico. These dark-colored berries are juicy and sweet, yet sometimes have a sour taste.

Ideal for pastries, jams, and sauces, zarzamoras vary, with some types thornless and others having large thorns.

What Vegetables Start with Z?

Explore some of the veggies that you should know with their names also starting with Z:

Zucchini

Zucchini

Zucchini is a type of summer squash that grows quickly in warm weather. It is green in color and can be used in many dishes, including salads and pasta.

Zebra Eggplant

Zebra Eggplant

Zebra eggplant is known for its striking purple and white stripes. It has a sweet flavor and can be cooked in various ways, like grilling or baking.

Zongchak

Zongchak

Zongchak is a traditional Himalayan vegetable, harvested for its bamboo shoots. It is often used in Asian cuisines, particularly in stews and stir-fries.

Zizania Latifolia

Zizania Latifolia

Zizania latifolia, also known as wild rice, grows in shallow water in small lakes and slow-flowing streams. Often considered a grain, it is actually the seed of a grass species and is used in soups and salads.

Zingiber Officinale

Zingiber Officinale

Zingiber officinale, commonly known as ginger, is a flowering plant whose rhizome is widely used as a spice or a medicine. It adds a warm, spicy flavor to dishes and can help relieve digestive issues.

What do you think about these veggies starting with Z? Don’t forget that there are more interesting choices to look into.

Feel free to share these fruits with other people around you. Also, I’d love to hear more from you through the comment section.

Aside from these fruits starting with Z, there are other alphabets that sport amazing fruity choices for you to uncover.

By Alphabet:

Jamie Scott

Jamie Scott

Editor in Chief, Senior Content Writer

Expertise

Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Recipe Development, Baking and Pastry, Food Editor, Cooking-video Maker, Western Food Evaluation Expert

Education

Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Gained foundational knowledge in French and European culinary techniques. Participated in workshops and hands-on training sessions under the guidance of seasoned chefs.

Local Community College, New York, NY

  • Program: Associate’s Degree in Nutrition
  • Focus: Acquired basic understanding of nutrition principles, dietary needs, and the importance of balanced diets in daily life.
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Jamie Scott is a skilled culinary expert and content creator specializing in Western cuisine. With over 15 years in the culinary field and formal training from Le Cordon Bleu, Paris, Jamie deeply understands how to blend nutrition with delicious flavors. His passion for cooking matches his commitment to making healthy eating accessible and enjoyable.

On Fifteen.net, Jamie brings a fresh perspective to classic dishes and beverages, offering readers insightful recipes, cooking tips, and a fresh view on meal planning that emphasizes taste, health, and simplicity.

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