T hink of fruits that start with the letter V? You probably thought of Vanilla right away. While that is the most famous one, the letter V actually covers a great mix of sweet snacks and famous grapes used to make world-class wines.
From tropical mangoes to juicy English plums, you might be surprised by how many of these fruits you actually recognize once you see them. We’ve also included a few rare finds from places like Italy and Madagascar that are essential for traditional recipes and regional cooking.
We’ll look at how these fruits taste, some cool facts about them, and why they are so good for your body. So, take out your virtual basket to fill it with these delicious and healthy fruits.
Every 'V' fruit has a history—the vanillin and antioxidants that the vanilla pod delivers or the vitamin C, fibre, and potassium in the Valencia oranges, to name but a few.
These fruits provide more than just the best taste; they provide additional health benefits. They are fitness heroes, defending the immune system, eye and antioxidant defence, cardiovascular health, and bone strength.
Originally from Florida, this mango is a favorite for its sweet, tropical flavor. It’s a cross between two other popular varieties and is loaded with Vitamin C and potassium. You can eat it fresh, slice it into a salad, or blend it into a refreshing smoothie.
Absolutely! The vanilla is a fruit after all! The most common favourite flavour used in world. It grows on the orchids and the beans nuts are big and long, the grown green bean-shaped seeds are 12 to 24 inches.
We do not normally consume the pod, but its black seeds offer a more familiar cooking ingredient, vanilla extract. Vanilla has another health benefit that is, it contains antioxidants that protect the cells from damage.
It is highly appreciated for its nice and aromatic flavor groups, which makes the final products and food drinks unique and incredible.
Vanilla is a key flavoring in many of our favorite store-bought snacks—like when we investigate if Oreos are vegan.
With its big size, this mango is a mango lover's dream. Its nearly fiber-free flesh is delightful and smooth to the tongue. Valencia Pride mangoes are tasty and high in vitamin A, C folate, and fiber, crucial in maintaining general health and well-being. Such cultivars are the most grown varieties among mango lovers for their high taste and quality.
Vernaccia grape comes from Italy, and the most popular region is Tuscany, where it is grown to make Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a famous white wine. Vernaccia vine genera are mainly used for winemaking, especially for producing dry, tart white wines.
They can also be eaten as table grapes when fresh. Vernaccia grapes are low in calories and fat but high in natural sugars. Vernaccia grapes contain vitamins C and K and antioxidants such as resveratrol, which keep your heart healthy and improve blood circulation. They give Italy its first DOCG wine core status.
The Vaccarese grape is from the Rhône Valley area in France and is used to blend red wines such as Chateanuevue-du-Pape. Local Vaccarese grapes are mainly used to prepare red wines because they have good colour character, structure, and sensory properties. Because the grape has this antioxidant property, it could support the immune system and bone structures and help protect from oxidative stress.
Villafranca lemons come from Italy, from Villafranca Sicula of Sicily. The grated yellow zest of Villafranca lemons adds a beautiful flavor to desserts, sauces, and marinades. Lemon juice is also essential in salad dressings and meat marinades. Lemons contain a lot of Vitamin C and antioxidants. They are also a rich source of fiber.
The velvet tamarind is not similar to the regular tamarind; instead, it is an entirely different fruit. Peel it open and find a flavour burst of sweet and sour sensation inside! A simple way is to use it as it is tasty or make a sweet and spicy chutney from it. And then it is high in Vitamin C and calcium, which is good for the body!
This is a classic English plum that is loved for its juicy, sweet flesh. It tastes great fresh but also holds its flavor perfectly in jams and chewy preserves. It's a great natural way to satisfy a sweet tooth without worrying about the gelatin found in candies like original Starburst.
Voavanga fruit has a unique taste often compared to a mix of sweet, sour, and floral nuances. It is often compared to the taste of passion fruit or a mango. Voavanga, another name for the Voacanga africana, is found in the tropical areas of Africa and Madagascar.
It has been applied for many years as an alternative medicine for various diseases, like fever, malaria, and digestive system problems. Voovangai fruit is rich in vitamins A and C and contains calcium, iron, and antioxidants.
It is also low in calories and fiber, essential for gut health and blood sugar stabilization. Voavanga fruit can be enjoyed fresh or dried. Usually, this herb is mixed with other ingredients, such as different spices, in the form of sauces, marinades, and drinks. On the other hand, fruit seeds are rich in alkaloids and are often used in herbal medicine.
Valencia oranges are also called "juicing oranges" because of their high juice content and sweet and mildly sour taste. Such fruits are generally in season from late spring till the initial summer. One of the favourite oranges, they are among the top ten orange varieties worldwide, famous for the combination of sweetness and acidity, which are usually juicy and moist.
Valencia oranges are a powerful vitamin source of C, potassium, folate and antioxidants. They are low in calories and include natural sugars, making them an optimal treat. Having no calories, it is a healthy and refreshing. Valencia oranges can be consumed raw, juiced or added to recipes for cooking and baking. The jams are usually made of orange juice, marmalade, salads, and desserts. The peeling of oranges can also be a relevant ingredient in making foods more delicious.
There are so many tasty fruits that begin with the letter V! A well-known example is the Van Dyke mango, which is orange in colour and has a unique flavor.
Are you interested in expanding your fruit knowledge? The letter V provides some great alternatives! A classic option is Valencia orange, a variety of juices rich in vitamin C but if you’re feeling adventurous, try Voavanga. This little-known fruit from Madagascar has a distinctive sweet and spicy flavor.
Although Valencia oranges are a delicious and nutritious fruit starting at V, there is much more to discover. A variety of Vigna beans and other vegetables (black-eyed creatures and lentils) are another great source of nutrition.
V is not just for fruit! There are some interesting Vs in the world of wine grapes. Vernaccia and Vaccares grapes are used to make unique regional wines, each with its own unique taste.
With their vibrant colours, wholesome goodness, and delectable flavours, each of these V fruits is its invitation to a world of discovery.
Keep exploring and tasting, adventurers. Your next V-fruit could lead to a delightful surprise. Until our next excursion, keep adventuring and enjoying the goodness life offers, one fruit at a time.
