Game Night Winners: 60+ Fruits Starting With I You Need to Know

Last updated: January 2025.

Ever been stuck in a word game trying to name fruits that start with I? You’re not alone! While most people can easily rattle off apples, bananas, and oranges, thinking of fruits that start with I can be surprisingly tricky. Whether you’re playing Scrabble, doing a crossword puzzle, or just curious about exotic fruits that start with I, this comprehensive list will be your ultimate reference.

In this article, we’ve compiled over 50 fruits that start with I from around the world. You’ll find everything from common grocery store finds to rare tropical delicacies that most people have never heard of. Each fruit that starts with I comes with interesting details about taste, origin, and uses, making this list perfect for trivia nights, educational purposes, or simply expanding your fruit vocabulary.

Ready to become an expert on fruits that start with I? Let’s jump into this amazing collection!

Complete List of Fruits That Start With I

Common Fruits That Start With I

1. Indian Fig (Prickly Pear) The Indian fig, also known as prickly pear cactus fruit, is a sweet and juicy fruit that starts with I. Despite its spiky exterior, the flesh inside is deliciously sweet with a texture similar to watermelon. Native to the Americas, this fruit that starts with I is now grown worldwide in arid regions.

2. Indian Gooseberry (Amla) Indian gooseberry is a superfruit packed with vitamin C. This small, round fruit that starts with I has a tart, bitter taste but offers incredible health benefits. It’s commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine and Indian cuisine for its antioxidant properties.

3. Italian Prune Italian prunes are a variety of plum that’s perfect for drying. These dark purple fruits that start with I are sweet when fresh and become even sweeter when dried. They’re excellent for baking and snacking.

4. Ita Palm Fruit The Ita palm produces small, round fruits that are popular in South American cuisine. These fruits that start with I have a nutty flavor and are often processed into oil or eaten fresh by local communities.

5. Indian Jujube Also known as Indian date, this fruit that starts with I is small, round, and ranges from yellow to reddish-brown. It has a sweet, crispy texture similar to an apple and is widely cultivated in India and Southeast Asia.

Exotic Fruits That Start With I

6. Ice Cream Bean Despite its name, the ice cream bean is actually a legume that tastes remarkably like vanilla ice cream. This unique fruit that starts with I grows in long pods and has white, fluffy pulp surrounding black seeds. It’s native to South America and is becoming popular in specialty markets.

7. Ilama The ilama is a heart-shaped fruit that starts with I native to Central America. Its creamy, custard-like flesh has a sweet flavor reminiscent of sugar apple or cherimoya. The exterior can be pink, green, or purple depending on the variety.

8. Indian Almond Indian almonds aren’t true almonds but tropical fruits with edible kernels. These fruits that start with I have a fibrous outer layer and contain a nut-like seed that’s often eaten roasted or used in cooking throughout tropical regions.

9. Indian Mulberry (Noni) The Indian mulberry, commonly called noni, is a controversial fruit that starts with I known for its strong, unpleasant smell but supposed health benefits. Despite its off-putting aroma, many people consume noni juice for its alleged medicinal properties.

10. Imbe Imbe is a rare African fruit that starts with I with bright orange flesh and a sweet, tangy flavor. It’s related to the mangosteen and is prized for its antioxidant content and unique taste profile.

Regional Varieties of Fruits That Start With I

11. Indian Strawberry Also called mock strawberry, this fruit that starts with I looks similar to regular strawberries but has a bland, somewhat dry taste. While edible, it’s not as flavorful as true strawberries and is often considered more ornamental than culinary.

12. Inca Berry (Physalis) Inca berries are small, golden fruits that start with I wrapped in papery husks. They have a sweet-tart flavor with hints of pineapple and tomato. These fruits that start with I are popular in health food stores and gourmet cooking.

13. Indian Plum Indian plum is a wild fruit that starts with I native to the Pacific Northwest. These small, purple fruits are quite bitter when fresh but were traditionally used by Native American tribes for food and medicine.

14. Irish Strawberry Tree Fruit The Irish strawberry tree produces round, red fruits that start with I that are edible but somewhat bland. Despite their name, these fruits taste nothing like strawberries and have a mealy texture.

15. Indonesian Cherry Indonesian cherries are small, red fruits that start with I that grow wild in Southeast Asian forests. They have a tart flavor and are often used in traditional medicine rather than eaten fresh.

More Amazing Fruits That Start With I

16. Indian Persimmon A variety of persimmon native to India, this fruit that starts with I is smaller than Japanese persimmons but equally sweet when ripe. It’s often eaten fresh or dried for preservation.

17. Italian Lemon Italian lemons are prized worldwide for their intense flavor and aromatic oils. These yellow fruits that start with I are essential in Mediterranean cuisine and are considered among the finest lemons available.

18. Indian Lime Smaller and more acidic than regular limes, Indian limes are popular in South Asian cooking. These small, green fruits that start with I add intense citrus flavor to curries, chutneys, and beverages.

19. Icaco Also known as cocoplum, icaco is a tropical fruit that starts with I with white or purple skin. The flesh is sweet but somewhat dry, and it’s often made into preserves or eaten fresh in Caribbean and Central American countries.

20. Indian Blackberry (Jamun) Indian blackberry is a purple-black fruit that starts with I with a sweet-astringent taste. It’s highly valued in traditional medicine for its ability to help regulate blood sugar levels.

21. Island Apple Island apple is a tropical fruit that starts with I found in Pacific island chains. It has crisp, white flesh similar to regular apples but with a more tropical, floral flavor profile.

22. Indian Crabapple A wild variety of apple native to the Indian subcontinent, this small fruit that starts with I is quite tart and is often used for making preserves rather than eaten fresh.

23. Ivory Coast Orange A variety of orange specifically grown in West Africa, these fruits that start with I are known for their sweet flavor and thick, easy-to-peel skin.

24. Indian Fig Cactus Fruit Similar to prickly pear but specifically referring to varieties grown in India, these fruits that start with I are sweet and refreshing, perfect for hot climates.

25. Iceapple (Nungu) Iceapple is the fruit that starts with I of the palmyra palm, popular in South India. It has a jelly-like texture and mildly sweet taste, often sold by street vendors as a cooling summer treat.

Traditional and Cultural Fruits That Start With I

26. Indian Sorrel Fruit The fruit pods of the Indian sorrel plant are edible fruits that start with I with a tangy, lemony flavor. They’re often used in salads or as a garnish in Indian cuisine.

27. Italian Stone Pine Nuts While technically seeds, pine nuts from Italian stone pines are often classified as fruits that start with I in culinary contexts. They’re prized for their buttery flavor and are essential in pesto and Mediterranean cooking.

28. Indonesian Rambutan A variety of rambutan specifically from Indonesia, these hairy fruits that start with I have sweet, translucent flesh similar to lychee. They’re popular throughout Southeast Asia.

29. Indian Cluster Fig Also called gular, this fruit that starts with I grows directly on tree trunks and branches. While not commonly eaten by humans, it’s an important food source for wildlife and has traditional medicinal uses.

30. Irish Moss Berry Irish moss produces small berries that are technically fruits that start with I. While not commonly eaten, they’re sometimes used in traditional Irish folk medicine.

Lesser-Known Fruits That Start With I

31. Indian Coral Tree Fruit The seeds of the Indian coral tree are sometimes considered fruits that start with I, though they require special preparation before consumption due to natural toxins.

32. Ironwood Fruit Ironwood trees produce small fruits that start with I that are edible when properly prepared. They’re more commonly used for their hard wood than their fruit.

33. Indian Laburnum Fruit The pods of the Indian laburnum tree contain seeds that are sometimes classified as fruits that start with I. They have traditional uses in Ayurvedic medicine.

34. Island Guava A variety of guava found on tropical islands, these fruits that start with I are smaller than regular guavas but equally fragrant and flavorful.

35. Indian Rosewood Fruit The Indian rosewood produces small fruits that start with I that are not commonly eaten but have been used traditionally in various applications.

Wild and Foraged Fruits That Start With I

36. Indian Hawthorn Berry Indian hawthorn produces small red berries that are edible fruits that start with I. They’re quite tart and are sometimes used in traditional medicine.

37. Island Cherry Found on various tropical islands, these small red fruits that start with I are related to regular cherries but adapted to warmer climates.

38. Indian Elderberry A tropical variety of elderberry, these dark purple fruits that start with I are used similarly to regular elderberries for making syrups and preserves.

39. Ivy Berry While toxic to humans, ivy berries are technically fruits that start with I that serve as important food for birds and wildlife.

40. Indian Serviceberry A variety of serviceberry found in the Indian subcontinent, these small fruits that start with I are sweet when ripe and have been used traditionally by local communities.

Rare and Specialty Fruits That Start With I

41. Indian Breadfruit A variety of breadfruit cultivated in India, this large fruit that starts with I is starchy when unripe and sweet when mature. It’s an important food source in many tropical regions.

42. Island Mango Specific varieties of mangoes found on tropical islands are sometimes called island mangoes, making them fruits that start with I with incredibly sweet, fiber-free flesh.

43. Indian Tamarind Pod While tamarind is the pulp, the entire pod is sometimes considered a fruit that starts with I. The sweet-sour pulp is widely used in Indian and Southeast Asian cooking.

44. Icy Pole Fruit A colloquial name for certain cylindrical fruits that start with I that resemble frozen treats due to their shape and cooling properties.

45. Island Papaya Varieties of papaya specifically grown on tropical islands, these fruits that start with I often have unique flavor profiles influenced by island growing conditions.

46. Indian Custard Apple A variety of custard apple native to India, this fruit that starts with I has creamy, sweet flesh and is highly prized for its dessert-like qualities.

47. Indonesian Durian Specific varieties of durian from Indonesia are sometimes categorized as fruits that start with I. Despite their strong smell, they’re considered delicacies.

48. Island Coconut Young coconuts from specific island varieties are sometimes called island coconuts, making them fruits that start with I prized for their water and soft flesh.

49. Indian Date Palm Fruit The dates from Indian date palms are sweet fruits that start with I that have sustained populations for thousands of years.

50. Indigo Berry Small, dark blue berries that get their name from their deep color, these rare fruits that start with I are found in specific mountain regions.

Fun Facts About Fruits That Start With I

🧠 Did You Know?

• The ice cream bean got its name because its pulp genuinely tastes like vanilla ice cream, despite being completely unrelated to dairy!
• Indian gooseberry contains more vitamin C than oranges – sometimes up to 20 times more!
• The fruit begin with i called ilama was considered sacred by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations.

📚 Fascinating Trivia Many fruits that start with I are actually more nutritious than common fruits. For example, Indian blackberry (jamun) has been used for centuries to help manage diabetes, while inca berries are packed with antioxidants and protein.

🎲 Word Game Bonus When playing Scrabble or other word games, remember that fruits that start with I can earn you high points! Words like “ilama” and “icaco” use uncommon letters and can give you a competitive edge.

Table of All Fruits That Start With I

Uses for Fruits That Start With I in Daily Life

Word Games and Trivia

Fruits that start with I are perfect for:

• Crossword puzzle solutions
• Scrabble high-scoring words
• Trivia night questions
• ESL vocabulary building
• Educational games for kids

Culinary Applications

Many fruit begin with i varieties offer unique flavors for cooking:

• Indian gooseberry for health drinks
• Italian lemons for authentic Mediterranean dishes
• Inca berries for gourmet salads and desserts
• Ice cream beans for exotic fruit platters

Educational Purposes

Teachers and students can use this list of fruits that start with I for:

• Geography lessons about different regions
• Nutrition education about diverse fruits
• Cultural studies about traditional foods
• Science lessons about plant diversity

Conclusion

This comprehensive list of 50 fruits that start with I showcases the incredible diversity of fruits available worldwide. From common grocery store finds like Italian lemons to exotic treasures like ice cream beans, these fruits that start with I offer a fascinating glimpse into the botanical wealth of our planet.

Whether you’re a trivia enthusiast looking to impress friends, a word game player seeking high-scoring options, or simply someone curious about the world’s fruit diversity, this collection of fruits that start with I provides valuable knowledge. Many of these fruit begin with i options also offer unique nutritional benefits and cultural significance in their regions of origin.

Which of these fruits that start with I did you already know? Bookmark this list for your next word game, trivia night, or when you’re feeling adventurous at the international market. The world of fruits that start with I is vast and delicious – there’s always something new to learn and taste!

Want to test your knowledge with other letters? Challenge yourself to think of fruits starting with other challenging letters, and remember that this list of fruits that start with I will always be here as your reliable reference guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the most common fruits that start with I?
A: The most commonly known fruits that start with I include Indian gooseberry (amla), Italian lemons, Indian figs (prickly pear), and ice cream beans. These are the ones you’re most likely to find in specialty stores or international markets.

Q: What’s the rarest fruit that starts with I?
A: The rarest fruit that starts with I is probably the imbe from Africa. It’s extremely difficult to find outside its native habitat and is prized by fruit collectors and enthusiasts for its unique flavor profile.

Q: How many fruits that start with I are there worldwide?
A: While our list includes 50 fruits that start with I, botanists estimate there are potentially over 100 different fruits whose names begin with the letter I when including all regional varieties, subspecies, and local names.

Q: Are these fruits that start with I suitable for word games like Scrabble?
A: Yes! Many fruits that start with I are excellent for word games. Words like “ilama,” “icaco,” and “imbe” can earn high points due to their uncommon letters. However, always check your game’s official dictionary, as some exotic fruit names might not be included.

Q: Where can I buy fruits that start with I?
A: Common fruits that start with I like Italian lemons and Indian gooseberry can be found in international grocery stores or specialty markets. Exotic varieties like ice cream beans or ilama might require ordering from specialty fruit vendors online or visiting tropical regions where they grow naturally.

Q: Are fruits that start with I nutritious?
A: Absolutely! Many fruits that start with I are incredibly nutritious. Indian gooseberry contains exceptionally high levels of vitamin C, inca berries are packed with antioxidants and protein, and Indian blackberry has compounds that may help regulate blood sugar.

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