27 Fruits That Start With M

Mmm, this might be a little tricky. Thinking of fruits that start with M could be a little challenging. How many can you think of? No, mashed banana doesn’t count! If you are struggling, don’t worry, we’ve done the hard work so that you don’t have to Here is our list of 27 fruits, starting with M.

1. Mandarins

Ok, let’s start with something a little obvious. Mandarins are a type of orange. Thye is commonly grown in huge greenhouses, but the organic varieties tend to have a little more flavor. Unlike a regular orange, mandarins tend to have quite a subtle taste. They are a little more juicy and slightly less acidic than regular oranges. We also find them a little easier to peel.

2. Mango

We’re not sure if we’ve told you this fact before, but did you know that the humble mango is the most consumed fruit in the world. We suppose this is because it is consumed widely in Asia, which is very densely populated. There are several varieties of mango. Some are pale and crunchy. Others are soft and a little stringy. Learning how to peel one and get to the juicy yellow flesh is an art form!

3. Marang

Fancy some smelly fruit? If you pick one of these up, this is exactly what you will get. This fruit originates in southeast Asia and is actually quite similar to durian, which also stinks. If you can get over the smell, then you’ll be rewarded with juicy flesh, which is actually pretty sweet and very tasty.

4. Melon

Another easy one, are you kicking yourself that you didn’t get it? Melons are eaten the world over and exist in many different varieties. From the crunchy red flesh of the watermelon to the firm yellow fruit called honeydew, it makes an ideal pairing for all sorts of dishes. Melons are an unusual fruit for several reasons. First, they grow by lying on the ground. Second, they don’t ripen once they are picked, so if you are sat waiting for a substandard melon to turn soft and juicy, we are afraid you might be in for a little disappointment!

See Also: Foods that start with m

5. Macadamia

Normally famed for its nuts, the macadamia tree also produces fruit! If you do your reading, you’ll quickly discover that the flesh of this fruit is very hard and bitter… Better stick to the nuts then!

6. Marionberry

This is one of those fruits that you’ll want to cook down with heaps of sugar and make into a preserve. If you are feeling brave and manage to find one, give it a try? It is eye wateringly sharp. Not one to serve to dinner guests… If you like them.

7. Mountain Pepper

This is technically a fruit but is normally used in savory dishes. If that sounds weird, don’t worry, both the chili and the tomato are also fruits! The traditional method to serve this fruit beginning with M is to dry it and grind it into a spice.

8. Mulberry

Mulberries are pretty sweet once they are picked and ripened. They also happen to be the favorite food of the silkworm! So be careful when eating! Mulberry bushes can be found all over southeast Asia.

9. Monstera Deliciosa

No, this isn’t the name of a Tim Burton character. You’ll often hear these mistakenly described as a Yuka plant. This is because this perennial makes a great house plant. Occasionally, and if you look after it, it may grow fruit, which is edible and tastes a little tart and sweet in equal measure.

10. Mock Strawberry

Why? Whatever did strawberry do to you? Joking aside, this is actually pretty similar to a regular old strawberry. The main difference is that the mock strawberry produces yellow flowers instead of white… Not that we care, they are both delicious.

11. Miracle Fruit

We love miracle fruit (also called miracle berries). Eat one or two of these before eating any other fruit and watch its taste be transformed. Our favorite is to try them with lemons or limes. The taste is out of this world. They are amazing!

12. Meyer Lemon

Maybe one to try with a miracle fruit? These lemons are Chinese in origin but are now exported worldwide. They aren’t too different from a regular lemon, with thick yellow skin and a juicy yellow flesh that will make your eyes water. Our teeth hurt just writing this.

13. Merlot Grapes

Ok, so we may have cheated a little here. But hey, how would you like a nice glass of wine?  This is what merlot grapes are most commonly used for. You probably wouldn’t want to try these in a fruit salad. They are actually really hard and quite bitter before they’ve been squished and fermented.

14. Medlar

Medlar has been around for millennia and is one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world. It is actually a member of the rose family. If you get a chance to see the fruit, you’ll find that it looks pretty similar to a fig. Just like the fig, it is full of crunchy seeds surrounded by a tasty sweet flesh. You can use the fruit just as you would a fig. It is delicious baked in tarts and biscuits. Alternatively, give the cut top a coating in honey and whack under a hot broiler until it turns all gooey.

15. Maypop

When we first saw a maypop, we were reminded of something else…. It looks pretty similar to a passion fruit. Well, that’s because it is from the same family! Maypop fruit comes in a thick green husk. When this is broken open, it reveals crunchy sweet seeds that are coated in a tangy gelatinous flesh. They grow on plants with pretty purple flowers… called Passionflowers!

16. Mayhaw

No, we aren’t making our donkey impression! Mayhaw can be found in the southern states of the US and commonly grows along river banks. It is a little tart, but it can be stewed down into a delicious jelly if you collect enough of them. The fruit is a berry, but it looks like a tiny little apple!

17. Margil Apple

Speaking of apples, this is one of many varieties (don’t worry, we aren’t going to cheat and add lots of apples beginning with M). This is an English variety of apples that have been around for centuries. It is crunchy and just a little on the sharp side. It makes the ideal apple to use in crumbles and pies.

18. Maya Nut

Want to taste a fruit that is laden with history. This has been in existence for thousands of years and is commonly eaten by the indigenous people of central and south America. You’ll also hear this referred to as a ‘bread nut’. The seeds are covered in a tangy and slightly sweet flesh. You can eat both the seeds and the flesh. Good luck reaching them, though. The trees that they grow on are absolutely colossal.

19. Maqui Berry

You may have seen maqui berries already and not realized. They look pretty similar to a blueberry. The main difference is that they are slightly darker in color, and they taste a little different. They aren’t generally commercially available and are harvested by the locals in South America. They are said to hold lots of medicinal qualities, and just like the humble blueberry, they are packed full of antioxidants.

20. Mangosteen

Have you ever seen a mangosteen? While related to the mango, they look and taste pretty different. On removing the thick dark shell, you’ll be presented with thick segments of pale white flesh. It looks a little like cloves of garlic! However, the taste is something else. It is quite watery and sweet. The nearest taste we think that describes it is something similar to a lychee. This fruit makes for something really eye-catching and slightly different if you are looking to enliven a fresh fruit salad!

21. Mangaba

You’ll tend to see a lot of this fruit of you head down towards Brazil, as this is where it is native to. You’ll find it in a variety of dishes. It is used in jellies, preserves, drinks, and even in ice cream! The fruit is really high in vitamin C and iron, so if you are looking to up your mineral and vitamin intake, it will make a worthy choice.

22. Mamoncillo

Alright, the word ‘soapberry’ probably doesn’t sound like the most appealing thing ever. Why don’t we call it by a different name, and then you might actually want to try it? Let’s try ‘Spanish lime’, which is the alternative name. It isn’t quite the same as the humble lime. For a start, the flesh is a pale orange in color. Second, it is nowhere near as tangy. You’ll often find them eaten just like oranges in places where they naturally grow.

23. Mamey Sapote

Mamey sapote looks a little like a cross between a durian fruit (without the smell, thankfully) and a mango. You’ll generally find them towards Mexico and Central America… It is actually a berry (albeit a big one). The outer skin isn’t edible but a breakthrough to the inside, and you’ll find delicately flavored and sweet orange flesh. If you haven’t eaten one before, the best way to tell if it is ripe is to scratch the skin and check the flesh underneath. If it is green, we are afraid you are going to have to wait a while.

24. Marula

Marula is a fruit of African origin. It looks a little like a lime, but that is where the similarity ends. Pale flesh surrounds a hard dark seed. You’ll find this fruit is used in a range of applications. The flesh can be eaten ‘as is, but it is also used to brew beer. You’ll find the oil extracted from the nut is used in moisturizers and hair care products too! So this fruit is definitely good for you!

25. Melinjo

This is another species that you’ll find in Indonesia (alongside the durian… yuck!). We love finding fruits that are used in a variety of things. These small berries are red and golden in color. The fruit is nothing to write home about. Most locals are interested in the seeds, which are crushed and made into small wafers of Emping, one of the best-loved snacks of Indonesia. The leaves are often used in medicinal products too!

26. Midyim

Let us head over to the other side of the world now. The midyim fruit is found in Australia and has been consumed by the aboriginal people for thousands of years! They look similar in shape and size to a blueberry. However, unlike the blueberry, they are white in color, with a few purple speckles. They can be eaten raw, but they are more tangy than sweet. They are absolutely delicious when baked in a pie or stewed down into a preserve. They are also really high in vitamin C and zinc! You’ll also hear them referred to as ‘midgen’ by the local populace.

27. Musk Melon

Musk melons are a little similar to the cantaloupe. They are slightly smaller in size and have a mottled green and brown striped exterior. They are nowhere near as juicy as a watermelon. When cut into thick wedges, you’ll find a really firm flesh that is not as sweet as some other melon varieties. Interestingly, the origins of this melon aren’t entirely known. A new melon with the name ‘Musk’? We are looking at you, Elon!

Conclusion

Did you find any surprises among our list of 27 fruits that start with M? Oh, come off it, we know that you didn’t guess ‘mamey sapote’! Some of the fruits above are really delicious and might be easy to find. Others are super-specific to certain parts of the world. Given a choice, which would you like to try? Can you think of any more? Let us know in the comments below.