Some of the tastiest fruits are the ones you didn’t even know existed. Take a look at our ultimate list of fruits that start with V to test your knowledge and find some great tasting fruit to add to your diet.
From velvet tamarinds to Valencia oranges and Vespolina grapes there’s something here for everyone.
Even if you’ve never heard of them before, the health benefits of these fruits are obvious, and it’s always good to add new and interesting things to your fruit bowl.
Velvet Tamarind
True to its name the velvet tamarind is covered in a black velvety skin. This almond shaped fruit is small, about the size of a grape and is commonly found in Africa. The pulp is sweet and tasty, rich in vitamin C, potassium, iron and magnesium.
To get to the velvet tamarind you need to crack up the tough, inedible shell that surrounds it. You can eat this fruit raw or use it to make a nutritious smoothie or refreshing juice. It is believed that velvet tamarinds have antimicrobial properties.
Victoria Plum
The Victoria plum originated in England and is one of the most popular plum varieties in the UK. It was cultivated in that country during the Victorian era. The exact origin is unknown, but it became a favorite of British gardeners.
The oval shaped fruit turns a deep reddish purple as it ripens and has yellow flesh which is sweet. As with all plums it has a single stone in the center of the fruit. The plums can be eaten fresh but also make excellent additions to cooking.
Valencia Orange
Despite being named after an area in Spain, Valencia oranges are believed to have originated in California in the 1800s. Valencia oranges are the most popular choice for making orange juice as it has a wonderful sweetness and few seeds.
The absence of limonin in Valencia oranges is most likely why they are so sweet. Limonin is the compound found in most oranges that causes the fruit’s juice to become bitter when it is exposed to air.
Valencia oranges are thought to be a hybrid of pomelos and mandarins.
Valencia Pride Mango
Valencia Pride mango was propagated in the 1940s after its attractive appearance and good flavor were recognized. It quickly became a popular backyard fruit, growing on large trees which spread wide, giving plenty of shade.
This is a large, oblong fruit with yellow skin that shows a faint pink blush well before the mango matures. The flesh of this mango is light yellow, firm and with scant fibers. It has a classic, medium sweet flavor.
Valencia Pride mango is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, potassium and fiber.
Velvet Apple
Velvet apples range in color from yellow to orange or purple-red and are covered in tiny brown hairs. Some of the seedless varieties have the appearance of a persimmon while the seeded varieties are more round.
The skin is generally discarded as it is tough and bitter and in some varieties, it has an unpleasant odor. Velvet apple flesh is white and crisp, becoming softer as the fruit matures. It has a sweet taste and has been likened to banana flavored apples.
Red colored velvet apples are considered sweeter than the lighter colored varieties.
Vanilla Fruit
Vanilla is the only edible fruit of the orchid family. It grows as a long, thin, brown bean pod. The orchids that produce the vanilla pods grow in tropical climates and three quarters of the world’s supply of vanilla comes from Madagascar.
The seeds from the vanilla pod are used to flavor foods, beverages and baked goods. Mostly the tiny seeds are scraped out of the split pod and added to liquids or foods. It’s also possible to use the bean pod whole to infuse flavor into sugar, liquors or syrups.
Vernaccia Grape
The Vernaccia grape is used to make wine of the same name and is predominantly grown in Tuscany, Italy. Its origins are unclear but the variety appears to be ancient, although there is disagreement about whether it came from Eastern Europe, Greece or Italy.
The Vernaccia grape produces a crisp white wine which has a good level of acidity, but with lemon notes. It is often blended with other grape varieties to produce some flavorful wines.
Van Dyke Mango
The Van Dyke mango is a Florida cultivar which is also widely popular in Europe. It is a fiberless fruit which has a rich, sweet flavor with spicy undertones. This fruit has excellent color and is a disease resistant variety of mango.
Mangoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, folate and fiber. All of these nutrients are beneficial for prevention of heart disease, cancer and help with weight control. They are also rich in antioxidants which help to protect the body’s cells.
Volkamer Lemon
Like the rough lemon and the Rangpur lime, the Volkamer lemon is a hybrid of a citron and a mandarin orange. This fruit is about the size of an orange, rounded but slightly elongated and with yellow-orange skin.
The pulp of the fruit can be squeezed like any other citrus fruit, and it does have seeds. Uses include anything that you would use regular lemons for including marmalade, zesting and flavoring.
It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants which help protect against free radicals.
Voavanga
The voavanga is also known as the Spanish tamarind or the tamarind of the Indies. It came originally from Africa and is native to countries such as Kenya, Mozambique, Mali, Ghana and Tanzania. This is a large fruit which has green skin with white spots.
Voavanga are believed to have beneficial health effects and may contain antifungal, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This fruit can be eaten fresh on its own, in a fruit salad or made into juice or smoothies.
The voavanga fruit can be preserved by drying it or converting it into sweetmeat.
Vicar Of Winkfield Pear
The Vicar of Winkfield pear originated in France in the mid 1700s but was named after the first cultivator who brought it to the United Kingdom. Unsurprisingly he was the Vicar of a town called Winkfield.
The pear is long with a smooth skin and varies in color from green to yellow with a brownish blush. Inside the fruit, the flesh is dry with a pale yellow hue and a sharp flavor. It is best used in cooking or baking to mitigate the sharpness.
Vaccarese Grape
The Vaccarese grape originated in France, more specifically from the Rhone Valley region of the country, close to the border with Italy. The medium sized grapes are round and dark skinned.
They are one of only 13 grape varieties allowed in the Châteauneuf-du-Pape blend.
However, the Vaccarese grape is not often used as it is quite rare being grown in very small quantities. In France, it is known as brun argenté or ‘brown silvery’. This is likely a reference to the skin of the grape and the leaves of the vine.
Vespolina Grape
Vespolina grapes are grown in the Piedmont region of Italy. Their name comes from the fact that wasps are attracted to the fruit as it nears harvest time. This grape is normally blended with other grape varieties as it adds a characteristic spicy note.
The grapes are black, elongated and grow in medium conical or cylindrical bunches on the vine. Vespolina wines are known for their fruitiness, and acidity. They pair well with pasta, ham, lamb, deer, beef and rabbit.
Final Thoughts
We hope that you have enjoyed our ultimate guide to fruits that start with V and that you have found some fun new fruits to try. Whether you add them to your cooking, juicer or fruit bowl we hope you enjoy them.
