10 Delicious Fruits That Start With B : A Comprehensive Guide (2024)

The most common fruits that start with the letter B include bananas, blackberries, blueberries and boysenberries. Other interesting B fruits are breadfruit, blood orange, and bael fruit.

As a fruits enthusiast and horticulturist with over two decades of experience, I’m excited to take you on a journey through the delicious and diverse world of fruits that start with the letter B. Whether you’re a curious food lover, a nutrition enthusiast or simply looking to expand your culinary horizons, this guide will introduce you to a variety of B fruits, their flavors, nutritional benefits and interesting facts.

Common B Fruits

1. Banana

A banana is a sweet, elongated fruit with a soft, creamy flesh and a yellow peel when ripe.

Bananas are perhaps the most well-known fruit starting with B. These curved yellow fruits are packed with potassium, vitamin B6 and fiber. They’re versatile, easy to eat, and come in their own natural packaging.

Fun fact: Bananas are technically berries, while strawberries are not!

2. Blackberry

A blackberry is a juicy, dark purple to black fruit composed of small, tart berries clustered together.

Blackberries are aggregate fruits composed of many small drupelets. They’re rich in antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which give them their deep purple color. Blackberries have a sweet-tart flavor and are excellent for jams, pies or eating fresh.

3. Blueberry

A blueberry is a small, round fruit with a deep blue to purple skin and a sweet, tangy flavor.

These small, round berries are known for their high antioxidant content, particularly flavonoids called anthocyanins. Blueberries have a sweet flavor with a slightly tart undertone. They’re great in baked goods, smoothies, or as a topping for yogurt and cereals.

4. Boysenberry

A boysenberry is a large, reddish-purple fruit with a sweet-tart flavor, a cross between a blackberry, raspberry, and loganberry.

A cross between a raspberry and a blackberry, boysenberries have a complex, tangy-sweet flavor. They’re larger than blackberries and have a deep maroon color. Boysenberries are rich in vitamin C and dietary fiber.

Exotic B Fruits

5. Breadfruit

Breadfruit is a starchy, tropical fruit with a flavor and texture reminiscent of freshly baked bread when cooked.

Native to the South Pacific, breadfruit is a starchy fruit with a texture similar to freshly baked bread when cooked. It’s rich in complex carbohydrates and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

6. Blood Orange

A blood orange is a citrus fruit with a deep red to maroon flesh and a tangy, sweet flavor with hints of berry.

This citrus fruit is known for its distinctive red flesh and slightly tart, berry-like flavor. Blood oranges are rich in vitamin C and anthocyanins, which give them their unique color.

7. Bael Fruit

Bael fruit is a round, yellowish-brown fruit with a hard rind and aromatic, sweet-tart pulp filled with seeds, often used in traditional medicine and culinary dishes.

Also known as wood apple, bael fruit is native to India and Southeast Asia. It has a hard shell and a pulp that’s both sweet and tart. Bael fruit is often used in traditional medicine for its potential digestive benefits.

Lesser-Known B Fruits

8. Bilberry

A bilberry is a small, dark blue berry with a sweet-tart flavor, similar to a blueberry but with a more intense taste and higher antioxidant content.

Similar to blueberries but smaller, bilberries are native to Europe. They’re packed with antioxidants and have been traditionally used to support eye health.

9. Barbados Cherry

A Barbados cherry, also known as acerola, is a small, bright red fruit with a tart, tangy flavor and exceptionally high vitamin C content.

Also known as acerola, this small, red fruit is incredibly rich in vitamin C. It has a tart flavor and is often used in supplements and health foods.

10. Babaco

Babaco is a tropical fruit with a yellow-orange skin and a sweet, tangy flavor, often described as a cross between a papaya and a pineapple.

A relative of the papaya, babaco has a mild, sweet flavor with hints of strawberry and pineapple. It’s low in calories and rich in vitamin C.

Nutritional Benefits of B Fruits

Antioxidant Powerhouses

Many B fruits, particularly berries, are rich in antioxidants. These compounds help protect your body from oxidative stress and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Fiber-Rich Options

Fruits like bananas, blackberries and breadfruit are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which supports digestive health and helps maintain stable blood sugar levels.

Vitamin C Champions

Citrus fruits like blood oranges and tropical fruits like Barbados cherries are packed with vitamin C, essential for immune function and skin health.

Culinary Uses of B Fruits

Baking with B Fruits

Many B fruits shine in baked goods. Banana bread, blueberry muffins, and blackberry pies are just a few delicious examples.

Smoothies and Juices

Berries, bananas and even more exotic fruits like babacos make excellent additions to smoothies and fresh juices.

Savory Dishes

Don’t limit B fruits to sweet applications. Breadfruit can be used like a potato in savory dishes, while blood oranges can add a unique twist to salads and sauces.

Growing B Fruits at Home

Berry Patches

Many berry varieties, including blackberries and boysenberries, can be grown in home gardens. They often thrive in slightly acidic soil and require full sun.

Container Gardening

Dwarf banana trees can be grown in large containers, making them accessible even for those with limited space.

Indoor Options

Some B fruits, like certain varieties of blueberries, can be grown indoors with proper care and lighting.

Fruits that start with B offer a wide array of flavors, textures and nutritional benefits. From the everyday banana to the exotic breadfruit, there’s always something new to discover. Remember to choose ripe, high-quality fruits for the best flavor and nutritional value. Happy fruit exploring!

For more gardening tips and plant care guides, visit usagardenhub.com.