The 11 Types of Fruit (explained with Their Characteristics)

Fruits, along with vegetables, are an essential part of any healthy diet because they provide high levels of nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals and fiber that the body uses to maintain its organic functions.

The diversity of fruits that exist on the planet is very high, so much so that it is surprising that we do not consume the daily recommended servings of fruit and vegetables despite having all types, shapes, colors and flavors.

As a dessert, in the form of juices, purees, in salads or even as a starter, fruits are very versatile in the kitchen and then Let’s see how many types of fruit there are according to different classifications

The main types of fruit (classified)

We have all heard that we should eat about 3 pieces of fruits and vegetables a day. Human beings cannot do without the plant kingdom, since it provides us with all types of foods full of many nutrients in the form of vitamins, minerals, fibers and even a little protein.

We must not forget to incorporate these foods into our diet that, despite being very diverse and coming in all types and conditions, there are quite a few people who do not eat any fruit at all in their daily lives.

Regularly consuming fruits and vegetables helps us prevent diseases, including high cholesterol or diabetes. Fruits are the best sweet and nature offers it to us, being foods much more suitable for children than ice cream, candy or any other sweet. And not only can they be eaten as a dessert or snack, but they can also be combined with savory dishes, in the form of salads, accompaniments or taken in a refreshing juice or in the form of jam. The possibilities are endless!

If we started to classify fruits based on different characteristics, we would never finish. They come in all colors, shapes, hardness, with or without seeds, more tropical and more polar. There are those that are only taken in powder form, such as cocoa, or in their juiciest form, such as strawberries and melon. Here we have chosen to base ourselves on two main criteria: according to its degree of acidity and according to the characteristics of its fruit.

Classification according to its degree of acidity

This is the classification of fruits according to their degree of acidity.

1. Sour fruits

acidic fruits They have many beneficial acids, which influence their flavor These acids help reduce cholesterol, triglycerides and other substances whose accumulation quickly becomes harmful. Within this group we can find fruits such as:

2. Semi-acid fruits

Semi-acid fruits have a mild, slightly acidic flavor, and within the scope of fruits, they are considered a source of protein. Most fruits in this group contain essential amino acids in the amount necessary to satisfy human biological needs and are therefore considered of great importance. Among them we find:

3. Neutral fruits

Generally, neutral fruits are fruits rich in vitamins and minerals. Many of them are considered essential for our health because they contribute to the functioning of the immune and muscular systems. In this group we find hard-shelled fruits and dried fruits

• Coconut
• Avocado
• olives
• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Peanuts
• Walnuts
• Cocoa
• Chestnuts

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4. Sweet fruits

Really, most fruits belong to this category In this group we find any fruit that does not have acids or has them at minimal levels.

What we do find in these fruits are high levels of vitamins, among which we highlight vitamin A, C and E. The following fruits are part of this group:

• Banana
• Cherry
• Figs
• Melon
• Pear
• Watermelon
• Custard apple
• Grenade
• Gooseberries
• Dates

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According to the characteristics of the fruit

The other classification of fruit types is made based on the characteristics of the fruit once it is ripe. In this sense, we can differentiate between drupes, pome fruits and grain fruits. Added to this classification, we find fruits that share certain characteristics that are in turn classified in another category of fruits, being citrus fruits, forest fruits and tropical fruits.

1. Drupes

Drupes are fruits that have a hard stone inside, covered by an edible fleshy layer. The term comes from the Greek expression “drupa oliva”, which translates as “ripe olive”.

Among the most common stone fruits we find:

• Peach
• Apricot
• Plum
• Cherries
• Coconut
• Mango
• Olives
• lychee

2. Pomaceous

Pome fruits are fruits that have seeds protected by a fleshy extension. They differ from drupes in the fact that pome trees do not have a hard stone that contains their seeds or is a seed itself.

Among the pome trees we find fruits such as:

• Apples
• Pears
• Loquats
• Quince
• Hip

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3. Grain

The third type of fruit within this classification is grain fruits. These fruits have a striking characteristic that their true fruits have the appearance of seeds and are contained in a fleshy interior. Among these we find:

• Strawberries
• Figs
• Grenade

4. Citrus

Citrus fruits have their own group and are characterized by being fruits that have an intense acid flavor because they are very rich in citric acid. They also contain high levels of vitamin C, a very beneficial nutrient for our body because it strengthens our defenses. Among them we find:

• Lemon
• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Tangerine
• Lime

5. Tropical fruits

Tropical fruits are native to regions located in the tropics. Also found within this category are fruits that do not have to be developed in tropical regions but do meet certain characteristics, such as requiring high humidity and a warm temperature to be able to develop

Due to the type of ecosystem in which the plants that bear these fruits grow, with very frequent rains and a suitable temperature for many types of trees, they tend to be relatively large and juicy.

Among tropical fruits we find:

• Pineapple
• Kiwi
• Coconut
• Banana
• Custard apple
• Mango
• Grenade
• Guava
• Kaki
• Avocado
• Papaya
• lychee

6. Forest fruits

We call fruits of the forest those obtained from wild plants and not from crops They are small fruits, especially from cold or temperate regions. They are mostly berries and among them we find:

• Blueberries
• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Cherries
• Gooseberries

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7. Nuts

A dried fruit is any fruit that, in its natural composition (that is, without human manipulation), has a percentage of water less than 50%

They tend to be very energetic foods, with a higher concentration of calories compared to other fruits. They are also characterized by being rich in fats, proteins and trace elements, ideal for eating as an appetizer such as vegetable butter.

Among the dried fruits we find:

• Pistachio
• Hazelnuts
• Chestnuts
• Macadamia nut