Fruits are an essential part of our diet that provide many vitamins and minerals. You should eat abundant fruits and vegetables to maintain good health. Additionally, it really helps that fruits are refreshing and delicious!
If you are looking for fruits that start with O, this is the right place. This list includes everything from the familiar orange, to fruits you may have never heard of like oroblanco!
Here goes, a list of 17 fruits that start with O. How many of them have you tried?
Table of Contents
1. Oranges
Oranges are one the most popular fruits in the world since they are both delicious and rich in nutrients. Although their true origins are a mystery, it is believed that the cultivation of oranges started in eastern Asia thousands of years ago. They grow in warmer climates and are either eaten fresh or consumed as juice.
There are two main varieties of oranges, bitter and sweet oranges. Both varieties have their own appeal, depending on your preferred flavors. Although orange juice is the most popular way to consume oranges, they make a wonderful addition to many sweet and savory dishes. Oranges are a great source of various vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. This citric fruit that is high in vitamin C makes a delicious snack.
2. Olives
It may come as a surprise but olives are actually fruits. Similar to peaches, plums, and nectarines, olives are considered stone fruits. Olives are small fruits that grow on the olive tree (Olea europaea). While there are thousands of varieties of olives, they are usually referred to as either green or black olives.
Olives are grown in many regions of North and South America. The healthy fats extracted from olives make olive oil which is an essential part of Mediterranean cuisine. While olives are usually a part of savory dishes, there is a variety of desserts that include olives. Although olive cake is a savory cake, black olives are also paired with chocolates and oranges.
3. Orangelo
Orangelo is a hybrid citrus fruit of oranges and grapefruit. It was first seen in Puerto Rico, where the fruit grew on the shade-providing trees at the coffee plantations in the Puerto Rican highlands.
The Orangelo has a bright orange skin, and a red and pinkish inside like a grapefruit. They are eaten the same way as grapefruits. You can slice them in half and eat the flesh out with a spoon. Orangelos are sweeter than grapefruits and easy to peel. They are also rich in vitamin C, like oranges and grapefruit.
4. Oval Kumquat
The Nagami Kumquat, also called oval kumquat, (Fortunella margarita) is a common type of kumquat popular in Asian countries like China. These fruits generally grow in spring and summer since the trees have a tendency to become become semi-dormant from late fall to early spring.
This oval-shaped fruit has a sweet, tart flavor. Its orange rind is sweet, while the light orange flesh is acidic. They are chew, sweet, and usually eaten as a whole with the rind. The oval kumquat is the most popular variety of kumquats in the Orient as well as the United States.
5. Ogalalla Strawberries
The Ogalalla strawberry variety is known for its hardiness since it is draught and cold-resistant. These strawberries are plump, juicy, and have a flavor similar to wild strawberries. They are also easy to grow at home since they don’t need much area or soil.
These beautiful strawberries are super succulent and delicious. They will be wonderful as chocolate-covered strawberries. However, just like strawberries, you can use them in a variety of ways. You can use them as filling for baked goods, or a simple jam. They are also great for milkshakes.
6. Opal Apples
Opal apples are a variety of apples that were created by combining Topaz apples and Golden Delicious apples. The peak season for Opal apples is December to March, while the organic variety are harvested in November and January.
The Opal apple is much heftier than the regular apple, and is a bright yellow color. The skin is smooth aside from a few spots and the color of a lemon. The flesh of the apple is crispy and juicy, and the flavor is similar to a Honeycrisp apple. However, you will also detect mildly floral notes such as vanilla. The other plus to the Opal apple is that it doesn’t brown unlike regular apples.
7. Osteen Mango
Osteen Mangoes were first cultivated in Florida but have become a popular variety of commercially sold mangoes since. They are an elegant, elongated shape that is slightly curvaceous. These mangoes are heftier and plumper than the regular mango. Their skin is mostly pale green with some tones of yellow, but it is tinted heavily with red and purplish blush.
Before these mangoes ripen, they are usually green or yellow, but fully ripened Osteen mangoes have a distinct purplish hue. They weight about a pound, so they make quite the mango! The flavor is similar to a regular mango, but the Osteen variety has a stronger fragrance to it.
8. Ozark Beauty Strawberry
Ozark Beauty Strawberries were initially developed in Arkansas but grew in popularity due to their hardy nature. These strawberries can bear winter temperatures up to -30 degrees. They are well-suited for Northern climates and grow all year long.
The strawberries are juicy, plump, and quite a decent size despite being somewhat misshapen. Their flavor is similar to the regular strawberry, sweet and tart, but they are better because they can retain their natural flavors for longer. If you love home-made strawberry jam, the Ozark Beauty Strawberries are perfect for one.
9. Otaheite Gooseberry
The Otaheite Gooseberry (Phyllanthus acidus) has many names including Malay gooseberry, Tahitian gooseberry, Country gooseberry, star gooseberry, starberry, arbari, and West Indian gooseberry. They are small and yellowish-green berries that you can eat raw or cooked.
Otaheite Gooseberry trees are a common sight in South Vietnam, Malaya, and India, but they are also grown in Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, Peru and Brazil. Since the Otaheite gooseberry variety is very tart and acidic, it is better for jams, preserves, and chutneys. You can also pickle it with salt, or make a refreshing juice with enough sugar.
10. Opal Plum
The Opal Plum variety is one of the most popular, especially in England. This beautiful plum has a yellow skin that has an overlay of reds and purples when ripe. It is of a medium size and turns blue when overripe. Generally, Opal Plums taste the best just before the skin starts to get a blue and purplish hue.
Opal Plums are one of the most delicious varieties of plums. In addition, they are also a free-stone plum so the flesh falls away easily. Their flesh is a deep golden yellow, fragrant and slight crisp.
You can prepare these plums in slices as a refreshing treat on a hot day, or use them in a pie or cobbler. Either way, their versatile flavor with notes of mango, honey, and apricot will do any meal justice.
11. Öküzgözü Grapes
Öküzgözü is a red grape variety, that hails from the high-altitude plains surrounding Ankara in central Turkey. The name of this grape directly translates to “bull’s eye” and it is a full-bodied, large grape. Although this a red grape variety, it is nearly black in color.
The delicious flavor of this grape is both rustic and fruity, which is why it is used to make wine in Turkey. Although, its versatile flavor is one that will make a wonderful addition to any dish, whether sweet or savory. In Turkey, Öküzgözü grapes usually accompany a variety of fish and meat dishes. You can also add these grapes to a cheese board since they have a rich, sweet flavor which will compliment many types of cheese.
12. Oregon Grapes
Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) is a flowering herb that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine to treat numerous conditions, such as stomach issues and psoriasis. The herb has also been used in native cultures to stimulate appetite. It grows in many areas of the United States including the North American West to Southeast Alaska, Northern California, and Alberta, Canada to Central New Mexico.
Despite its name, the fruit of the Oregon Grape plant is nothing like a grape. It is a bright blue fruit that grows in clusters and is the same size and shape as a grape. However, they taste nothing like grapes. They are surprisingly tart so they may not be palatable for everyone. However, when cooked down into a jelly, it is a great source of vitamin C.
13. Oroblanco Grapefruit
The Oroblanco fruit has many names including Oro Blanco, Pomelit, Sweetie fruit and Oroblanco grapefruit. Although it is not an actual grapefruit, the two fruits are related. It is a sweet, citrus fruit that can be eaten without much preparation because it is seedless.
It has a thicker rind and sweeter taste compared to a grapefruit. The Oroblanco’s skin is green but it turns bright yello when it ripes. The inside is soft and juicy like a grapefruit, but is a pale orange rather than pinkish. The Oroblanco variety is very popular since it has a sweet taste rather than the bitter/tart flavors of grapefruit.
14. Ozark Gold Apples
Ozark Gold apples (Malus domestica) are a late summer variety of golden apples. They have a round, somewhat cylindrical shape with smooth, waxy skin. Their skin turns to pale gold when they are ripe, with streaks of red and pink where they were most exposed to the sun. Ozark Gold apples were developed in the United States in the 20th century as an improved and faster-maturing alternative to Golden Delicious apples.
The Ozark Gold apple has a white to cream-colored inside that is crisp and firm. The flavor is less tart and acidic than a regular apple but has notes of vanilla and honey. This variety is harvested in late summer but can be stored through spring as it develops its natural sweetness. These apples are delicious whether raw or cooked and rich in vitamins C and B6.
15. O’ Henry Peach
O’ Henry peaches are a medium to large variety of peaches. It is one of the most popular variety of peaches and has been around for decades. It was originally created by Merrill in 1968 as a hardy peach with less fuzz that would not soften easily. While other peaches tend to soften easily during storage or shipping, the O’Henry Peach can last up to 6 months in storage.
The O’Henry Peach is a bright yellow, tinged with red and purplish hues. It has a delicious flavor and a crispy texture. Their sweet well-balanced flavor makes them versatile and you can eat them fresh or prepare in a variety of ways. O’Henry peaches would do well in a jam, preserve, or chutney when the cooking process and added spices enhance their natural flavor. O’Henry peaches pair well with brown sugar, vanilla, rosemary, and ginger.
16. Orin Apple
Orin apples are medium to large apples that originate from Japan. They are one of the most popular varieties of sweet golden apples. They have a pale yellow-green skin that has brown spots. Japan is famous for its sweet apples and this is certainly one of the best.
This apple is larger than the regular apple and quite fragrant as well. It is low on acid so it is sweet rather than tart. It is said to taste like either a pineapple, or a mild pear. The sweetness of this apple makes it a great choice for apple jam and juice. You can also enjoy this crispy and sweet Orin apple fresh, simply cut in slices.
17. Olallieberries
Olallieberries are a cross between blackberries, loganberries, and youngberries. They are of a dark nearly-black color with ruby highlights. They balance a variety of flavors such as blackberry jam and plum with a juicy consistency. Due to its complex flavors, it is sometimes called the “king of blackberries”.
Olalliberries make a wonderful addition in pies, tarts, and cheeseboards. Their flavor pairs well with coconut, honey, and mascarpone. The only downside to these berries is that they are highly perishable. You should consume and cook them while they are fresh.