21 Hawaiian Fruits You Will Love
If you’re looking for a delicious and exotic Hawaiian fruit to try, You’ve come to the right place! We’ve compiled a list of our favorite fruits in Hawaii.
There are many different types of Hawaiian fruits to explore, from the sweet and tangy passion fruit to the tart and juicy star fruit. Each one is packed with flavor and nutrition, making them a perfect snack or addition to any meal.
Why not try out a few different kinds of Hawaiian fruits during your next trip to the islands? You can find them at farmers’ markets, grocery stores, roadside stands, and some can even be found on your hikes!
1. Guava
Guava is a tropical fruit that is popular in Hawaii. While not native to Hawaii, guava fruits can be found everywhere on the island when in season.
Guava is a round or oval-shaped fruit that can be green or yellow. The skin of a guava is thin and edible, while the flesh is white or pink and contains small seeds.
Guavas are typically eaten fresh but can also be made into jams, jellies, and sauces.
Guava, or rather guava nectar, is also one of the main ingredients in POG Juice, a popular Hawaiian beverage made of passion fruit, orange, and guava.
When ripe, guavas have a sweet flavor and are often used in jams, desserts, and smoothies. They can also be eaten unripe, but it tends to be more tart.
Guava tastes like a cross between a strawberry and a pear but 100 times better.
If you are a hiker, you will most likely see a strawberry guava tree on your hike as they grow in the wild pretty easily. This makes it easier for you to try the fruit. Just make sure you are picking the right fruit and ask the locals if you are not sure.
Season: August to April
2. Lilikoi/Passion Fruit
Passion fruit is a tropical fruit native to South America, Brazil, and Argentina but can now be found in many parts of the world, including Hawaii.
Passion fruits are small and round with a bumpy exterior. The exterior is purple or yellow, with the yellow passion fruit being more tart. Lilikoi means “passion fruit” in Hawaiian, and is typically used to refer to the yellow passion fruits.
Purple passion fruits tend to be sweeter and slightly smaller in size.
The flesh of the fruit is light yellow and contains black seeds. Passion fruits have a tart and tangy flavor with a hint of sweetness. They taste like a cross between citrus and berries with a slightly sweet and sour flavor.
Passion fruits are often used in desserts, juices, and smoothies. They can also be eaten fresh.
To eat, cut the passion fruit in half and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. The seeds are edible, but many people prefer to avoid them since they tend to be tart.
If you only can try one fruit in Hawaii, we recommend lilikoi. When we think of lilikoi, we automatically think of Hawaii.
Season: June to January
3. Pineapple
Pineapple is a tropical fruit indigenous to South America that was brought to Hawaii by early Polynesian settlers. I am sure most of you don’t need an introduction to this fruit as it’s very popular everywhere.
In short, pineapples are large, spiky fruits that grow on bushes. The flesh of the pineapple is yellow or white. Pineapples are sweet with a slightly tart flavor.
Pineapples are often eaten fresh but can also be used in other ways as well. One of the most popular ways in Hawaii is in Dole Whip, a soft-serve ice cream made with pineapple juice. If you are on Oahu, make sure to stop by the Dole Plantation to try this delectable treat!
Pineapples are also used in many Hawaiian dishes such as lau lau, chicken long rice, and pipikaula (dried beef).
To eat, cut the pineapple in half lengthwise and then cut it into thin slices.
You cant go to Hawaii and not eat a pineapple. Make sure to try one while you are there!
Season: March – July
See also: Hawaiian Islands Nicknames Explained
The Best Luau in Oahu: A Complete Guide
4. Papaya
Papaya is a tropical fruit indigenous to Southern Mexico, but it can now be found in many parts of the world, including Hawaii.
Papayas are large fruits that grow on trees. The exterior of papaya is green when unripe and turns yellow or orange when ripe. The flesh of papaya is pink or orange and contains black seeds. Papayas are sweet with a slightly musky flavor, similar to cantaloupes.
Papayas are often eaten on fresh but can also be used in salads, soups, and sauces. To eat, just slice in half, remove the seeds and enjoy.
I grew up with a papaya tree in my backyard so trust me when I say that this fruit is a must-try while you are on the island. It also makes a great addition to smoothies so make sure to make one if you happen to get some papaya and have a blender in your room or Airbnb.
Season: Spring – September
5. Mango
Mango is a tropical fruit that is native to South Asia.
The exterior of the mango is green when unripe and turns yellow, orange, and/or red when ripe. The flesh of the mango is orange or yellow and contains a large pit. Mangoes are sweet when ripe and have a slightly tart flavor if unripe.
Mangoes are often eaten fresh but can also be used in different recipes.
To eat, cut the mango in half and then score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern. Turn the mango inside out so that the cubes of the flesh are sticking out and then eat like that or cut off the cubes of flesh and enjoy.
You can also just bite on it directly and eat it as is. Just wash it first. At least that’s how I eat mangoes and most of the fruits listed here. I grew up with a mango tree in my backyard and we literally picked mangoes straight from the tree, washed them, and ate them. I only use a knife to cut them if they are not all the way ripe.
However you decide to eat a mango, just make sure to try one while you are in Hawaii.
Season: May – October
6. Coconut
Is it really a tropical vacation if you did not drink from a coconut?! Make sure to add this fruit to the list of purchases you need to make while on the island.
Coconut is a tropical fruit native to the region of South Asia.
Coconuts are large fruits that grow on palm trees. The exterior of the coconut is green when young and unripe or brown when older and ripe. The flesh of the coconut is white and contains a large amount of water. Coconuts are sweet and have a slightly nutty flavor.
Coconuts are often used for their water, a popular drink in many tropical countries. The flesh of the coconut can also be eaten fresh or used in different kinds of recipes.
Coconuts are a little tricky to eat because of their hard exterior.
To eat a green coconut, crack open the coconut, drink the juice, and eat the flesh. The person you buy the coconut from will most likely cut it for you and provide a straw to use.
To eat a brown coconut, first crack it open, then use a knife to remove the flesh from the shell.
Season: All year round
7. Apple Bananas
The apple banana is a tropical fruit native to the region of South Asia.
Apple bananas are small fruits that grow in bunches on trees. They’re typically shorter but wider than regular bananas.The exterior of the apple banana is green when unripe and turns yellow or brown when ripe. The flesh of the apple banana is white or yellow. Apple bananas are sweet with a slight tanginess.
Apple bananas are often eaten fresh. In my opinion, Apple bananas taste way better than regular bananas. Try it at least once, and you will thank me later.
To eat an apple banana, just peel back the skin and enjoy.
Season: June – October
8. Lychee
Lychee is a tropical fruit native to the region of southeast Asia.
Lychees are small fruits that grow in bunches on trees. The exterior of the lychee is red and leathery. The flesh of the lychee is white and contains a large seed. Lychees are sweet with a slightly floral flavor.
Lychees are often eaten fresh. To eat, just peel back the skin, remove the seed, and enjoy.
Season: May – September
See also: The Most Popular Leis in Hawaii
11 Tropical Flowers That Will Remind You of Hawaii
9. Avocado
I am pretty sure almost all of you reading this article do not need an introduction to avocados, as this fruit is popular worldwide.
With that being said, some of you might find it surprising that avocados are actually considered fruits.
They’re native to Central America and are berries that grow on trees. Avocados are creamy with a slightly nutty flavor.
To eat an avocado, cut it in half and remove the pit. Then, scoop out the flesh and enjoy. Avocados are best enjoyed with a bit of salt and pepper.
My favorite way to eat avocados is on bread, AKA “avocado toast.” This tends to be my go-to breakfast that I tend to eat more than I’d care to admit!
See Also: The Best 16 Places to Get Breakfast in Honolulu
Season: March – July
10. Mountain Apples
The mountain apple is a tropical fruit native to Malaysia and Australia.
Mountain apples are small fruits that grow in clusters on trees. The exterior of the mountain apple is red or green. The flesh of the mountain apple is white or pink and contains several small seeds. Mountain apples are sweet and have a floral flavor.
Mountain apples are often eaten fresh, just like you would eat a normal apple.
Season: Late summer through fall
11. Rambutan
The rambutan is a tropical fruit that is native to Southeast Asia.
Rambutans are small fruits that grow in clusters on trees. The exterior of the rambutan is red or green and covered in spines. The rambutan is a dark red color when ripe and ready to eat.
The flesh of the rambutan is white or pink and contains a large seed. Rambutans are sweet and have a slightly floral flavor.
To eat a rambutan, peel back the skin and remove the seed.
Season: October – March
12. Longan
The longan is a tropical fruit that is native to Asia. Longans are small fruits that grow in clusters on trees. The exterior of the longan is brown and leathery.
The flesh of the longan is white or translucent and contains a small seed. Longans are very sweet with a slightly floral flavor.
In my opinion, longans taste more like the lychee fruit than any other fruit on this list.
To eat longan, just peel back the skin and remove the seed.
Season: Year-round
13. Dragon Fruit
Dragon fruit is a tropical fruit native to Central and South America.
Dragon fruits are large fruits that grow on cactuses. The exterior of the dragon fruit can be red, yellow, or pink and is covered in scales. The flesh of the dragon fruit is white or pink and contains tiny black seeds. Dragon fruits are sweet when ripe but pretty much flavorless when unripe.
Cut it in half, scoop out the flesh, and enjoy!
Season: Year-round
14. Soursop
The soursop fruit is native to Northern South America.
Soursops are large fruits that grow on trees. The exterior of the soursop is green or brown and covered in spikes. The flesh of the soursop is white or pink and contains large seeds. Soursops are a bit sour with a slightly sweet flavor.
To eat soursop, cut it in half and scoop out the flesh. You can also remove the seeds if you want.
Season: June – October
15. Breadfruit
Breadfruit is a tropical fruit that is native to the South Pacific.
Breadfruits are large fruits that grow on trees. The exterior of the breadfruit is green or brown and covered in scales.
The flesh of the breadfruit is white or yellow and contains small seeds. Breadfruits have a starchy, potato-like flavor.
To eat breadfruit, cut it in half, scoop out the flesh, and enjoy.
Season: June – October
16. Star Fruit
The star fruit is native to Southeast Asia. Star fruits are small fruits that grow on trees. The exterior of the star fruit is green or yellow and covered in small scales.
The flesh of the star fruit is white or yellow and contains small seeds. Star fruits are sweet and have a slightly sour flavor.
To eat a star fruit, just cut it in half and enjoy the sweet interior.
Season: September – April
17. Persimmon
The persimmon fruit is native to Southeast Asia.
The exterior of the persimmon is orange or red, and the flesh is orange. Persimmons tend to be sweet, mild, and rich. Persimmons contain large seeds.
To eat a persimmon, you can either peel back the skin and enjoy the sweet flesh or eat it with the skin. For the most part, I always eat the skin of my fruit if it’s edible. For some reason it tastes good to me that way.
Season: March – November
18. Kumquat
The kumquat fruit is native to China.
Kumquats are small fruits that grow on trees. The exterior of the kumquat is orange or yellow, and the flesh is orange. Kumquats contain small seeds. Kumquats are tart but have a sweet flavor.
To eat a kumquat, you can either peel back the skin and enjoy the tart flesh or eat it with the skin. The sweetness of the skin comes from the peel, so we recommend washing the fruit and eating the skin for that sweet flavor.
Season: November – March
19. Durian
The durian fruit is a tropical fruit that is native to Southeast Asia.
The exterior of the durian is green or brown and covered in spikes. The flesh is yellow or white. Durians have a strong, pungent smell but a sweet flavor.
Cut it in half and scoop out the flesh to eat this fruit. Again, durians smell is really strong, so be prepared for that!
Season: June – September
20. Mangosteen
The mangosteen fruit is native to Southeast Asia.
Mangosteens are small fruits that grow on trees. The exterior of the mangosteen is purple or red, and the flesh is white. Mangosteens have a sweet, tangy flavor.
To eat mangosteen, cut it in half, grab the white flesh and enjoy.
Season: May – August
See also: Hawaii in September
21. Surinam Cherry
The Surinam cherry fruit is a tropical fruit native to South America.
The exterior of the surinam cherry is dark red, or a blue-red color, and the flesh is red. Surinam cherries have a sweet-tart acidic flavor.
To eat a surinam cherry, just bite into the fruit’s flesh and enjoy. Do not eat the seed.
Season: October- December and April- June
Frequently Asked Questions
What fruit is Hawaii famous for?
Hawaii is known for its pineapples, but the state also produces a variety of other fruits such as mangoes, coconuts, papayas, guavas, and so much more.
What is the best fruit in Hawaii?
This is a very subjective question, but guavas have always been one of my favorite fruits growing up. If we had to pick one, we would say the guava because of its unique flavor. But really all of the fruits mentioned in this blog post are worth trying.
What kind of fruit grows in Hawaii?
There are a variety of fruits that grow in Hawaii. All fruits mentioned in this article grow in Hawaii.
What season do most fruits grow in Hawaii?
Hawaii has two seasons: summer and winter. Most fruits grow during the summer season, but a few grow during the winter season.
Conclusion
There are a variety of fruits that you can find in Hawaii. From pineapples to mangoes and guavas, there is a fruit for everyone to enjoy.
So next time you are in Hawaii, make sure to try some of these fruits. You won’t be disappointed!
Mahalo for reading our post! Until next time, Aloha!
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