Tomatoes
Tomatoes have a distinctive round or slightly oblong shape, smooth or slightly ribbed skin, and a shiny appearance when ripe. Here are some fruits that resemble tomatoes in appearance (but may differ in taste and botanical family):
1. Tamarillo
Oval and smooth with glossy red or orange skin, tamarillos strongly resemble small plum tomatoes. When cut open, they reveal a juicy, seedy interior with a tangy taste, making them one of the closest lookalikes.
2. Persimmon
Especially the round Fuyu variety, persimmons can easily be mistaken for large orange tomatoes. Their smooth skin and segmented interior further enhance their tomato-like appearance, though the taste is much sweeter.
3. Naranjilla/Lulo
This fruit has a round, orange skin similar to a small tomato. Inside, it contains a soft, juicy green pulp filled with seeds — much like a tomato’s interior, though more citrusy in flavor.
4. Kangaroo Apple
This small, round fruit turns orange or red when ripe and looks a lot like cherry or grape tomatoes. However, it’s mildly toxic when unripe, unlike true tomatoes. The resemblance is strongest in size and color.
5. Litchi Tomato
Despite the name, this fruit belongs to the nightshade family and closely mimics a cherry tomato in shape and color. It grows inside spiny husks and has red, juicy flesh that could be confused with a tomato when peeled.
6. Pitanga
This ribbed, deep red fruit is about the size of a cherry tomato. Its glossy skin and small size make it tomato-like, though its ridges give it a pumpkin-like twist.
7. Jerusalem Cherry
Often grown ornamentally, these small round fruits look like mini tomatoes, with glossy orange or red skin. Though visually convincing, they are toxic and not edible.
8. Tomatillo
Encased in a papery husk, tomatillos resemble green tomatoes once peeled. Their smooth skin, juicy flesh, and seedy interior are nearly identical, though their flavor is more tart and herbal.
9. Ground Cherry (Cape Gooseberry / Physalis)
Wrapped in a papery husk like tomatillos, ground cherries have golden-orange skin and a round shape that mimics cherry tomatoes. When peeled, their juicy, seed-filled flesh is remarkably tomato-like.
10. Red Gooseberry
These small, round fruits have smooth, reddish skin and often grow in clusters like cherry tomatoes. Their soft, seedy interior adds to the resemblance, although they have a tangy, berry-like flavor.