Fruits

1. manzana

   Apple

   Usage

   Spain is a major apple producer; cider (sidra) from Asturias and the Basque Country is renowned

2. plátano

   Banana

   Usage

   "Plátano" is standard in Spain; "banana" is also widely used in Latin America. Canary Islands bananas are prized

3. naranja

   Orange

   Usage

   Valencia, Spain is world-famous for its oranges. The fruit name also serves as the color name for orange

4. uva

   Grape

   Usage

   Spain is a top wine producer (Rioja, Ribera del Duero). A tradition: eat 12 grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve

5. fresa

   Strawberry

   Usage

   Huelva, Spain is one of the world's top strawberry-producing regions. In parts of Latin America, also called "frutilla"

6. sandía

   Watermelon

   Usage

   A staple summer fruit in Spain; the word derives from Arabic "sindiyya", introduced by the Moors

7. piña

   Pineapple

   Grammar Note

   "Piña" originally meant pine cone; pineapples were named for resemblance to pine cones — the same reasoning behind the English "pineapple"

8. coco

   Coconut

   Usage

   Named "coco" (goblin/face) in Portuguese/Spanish because the three holes on the shell resemble a face

9. lima / limón

   Lime / Lemon

   Grammar Note

   "Lima" = lime, "limón" = lemon in Spain. Note: in much of Latin America, "limón" often refers to lime instead

10. mango

    Mango

    Usage

    Widely consumed across Latin America and the Caribbean; popular in mango salsa and agua de mango drinks

11. durián

    Durian

    Usage

    The "King of Fruits" from Southeast Asia, notorious for its pungent aroma; available in Asian stores in Spanish-speaking countries

12. mangostán

    Mangosteen

    Usage

    Known as the "Queen of Fruits"; prized for its contrast of deep purple rind and delicate white flesh

13. papaya

    Papaya

    Usage

    A staple in Latin America and the Caribbean. In Cuba it's often called "fruta bomba" to avoid a slang connotation

14. lichi

    Lychee

15. rambután

    Rambutan

    Usage

    Grown in parts of Latin America; found in markets in countries like Costa Rica

16. pitahaya / fruta del dragón

    Dragon fruit

    Grammar Note

    "Pitahaya" comes from Taíno (Caribbean) and is used across Latin America. "Fruta del dragón" is a direct translation of "dragon fruit"

17. longán

    Longan

    Usage

    Name from Chinese "dragon eye"; found in Asian grocery stores in Spanish-speaking countries

18. yaca

    Jackfruit

    Usage

    One of the world's largest tree fruits; unripe jackfruit is increasingly popular as a meat substitute in vegetarian cooking

19. tamarindo

    Tamarind

    Usage

    Essential ingredient in Latin American cuisine; "agua de tamarindo" (tamarind water) is a beloved traditional drink

20. guayaba

    Guava

    Usage

    Beloved across Latin America; "pasta de guayaba" (guava paste) paired with cheese is a classic snack

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