31 Popular Oval Fruits You Should Know

Oval and egg-shaped fruits hold deep symbolism across cultures, often representing fertility, potential, and new beginnings. Just as an egg suggests life waiting to hatch, these fruits are seen as vessels of creation and growth.

In Indian and East Asian traditions, plump, for instance, oval fruits are frequently chosen for offerings and rituals. They’re not only a symbol of gratitude to the earth but also a wish for abundance and prosperity in the seasons to come. Whether served during festivals, displayed in temples, or painted in traditional art, oval fruits carry meaning that goes beyond their flavor.

From common staples like mangoes and dates to tropical rarities like sapodilla and feijoa, the oval-shaped fruits in the list below represent both global diversity and the enduring belief in the fruitfulness of life.

1. Ackee (when closed)

In its closed form, the ackee fruit resembles a plump, firm oval with glossy red skin that hints at its ripeness. Native to West Africa but now iconic in Jamaican cuisine, ackee is famous (and infamous) — prized for its creamy, buttery flesh yet toxic if eaten before fully opened by nature. When handled properly, it becomes the star of the national dish ackee and saltfish — a delicacy high in healthy fats and protein.

2. Ambarella (June Plum)

Ambarella bears an oval, golden-green shape with crisp, fibrous flesh wrapped around a spiky pit. Sweet-tart with a tropical punch similar to pineapple and mango, it’s eaten fresh, pickled, or juiced across the Caribbean and Southeast Asia. Packed with vitamin C, iron, and fiber, this oval gem supports both immunity and digestion.

3. Apricot

Small, round-to-oval, and kissed with velvety orange skin, apricots strike a perfect balance between sweet and tangy. Split them open along the natural seam to reveal golden flesh and a single stone. Originating in Central Asia, apricots are rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and heart-healthy antioxidants whether eaten fresh or sun-dried.

4. Avocado

Avocados typically grow in an oval or pear-like form with bumpy green to black skin hiding silky, buttery flesh and a single central pit. Beloved worldwide for its creamy texture and mild nutty flavor, this oval fruit is loaded with monounsaturated fats, potassium, and fiber — making it a superstar in everything from guacamole to smoothies and toast.

5. Barberry

Tiny, glossy, and oval-shaped, barberries are ruby-red jewels with a sharp, lemony flavor. Traditionally used in Persian cuisine (like in jeweled rice), they add tart bursts of brightness. These berries are potent sources of vitamin C and the bioactive compound berberine, known for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Breadfruit

Breadfruit develops into a large, oval-to-round fruit with rough, pebbled green skin. When roasted, the pale flesh takes on a starchy, bread-like texture — hence its name. Native to the South Pacific, it’s an important staple crop rich in complex carbohydrates, fiber, and potassium.

7. Cantaloupe

One of the quintessential oval melons, cantaloupe has a reticulated tan rind encasing brilliantly orange, sweet, and fragrant flesh. Slice one open and the center reveals a seed-filled cavity. Hydrating and loaded with vitamin A and beta-carotene, this fruit is a summer classic enjoyed fresh or blended into drinks.

8. Chayote

While typically pear-shaped, some chayote varieties lean toward a rounded oval form. Pale green and furrowed, it has crisp, almost cucumber-like flesh. Used mainly in savory cooking, chayote is mild, hydrating, and rich in vitamin C and folate — popular in Latin American, Asian, and Caribbean cuisines.

9. Cherimoya

Heart-meets-oval in shape, the cherimoya has a bumpy green exterior and custard-smooth interior that tastes like a blend of banana, pineapple, and bubblegum. Mark Twain famously praised it as “the most delicious fruit known to man.” Hailing from the Andes, it’s fiber-rich and packed with vitamins B6 and C.

10. Damson

These small plum relatives are oval and deep purple, with tart, astringent skin and flavorful yellow flesh that’s superb in jams, chutneys, and liqueurs. Native to Eurasia, damsons deliver antioxidants, vitamin K, and unique tannins that make them popular in preserves rather than eaten raw.

11. Dragon Fruit

Dragon fruit tends toward a thick oval shape, with neon pink or yellow skin and dramatic green-tipped scales. Slice it open to find speckled white or magenta flesh dotted with crunchy black seeds. Mild, lightly sweet, and thirst-quenching, it’s rich in vitamin C, magnesium, and gut-friendly prebiotics.

12. Durian

Spiky, imposing, and oval-shaped, durian is famed as the “King of Fruits” — and just as notorious for its unforgettable smell. Crack it open to reveal custard-like segments that taste of almond, vanilla, and caramelized onions. Loved across Southeast Asia, durian is energy-dense and rich in healthy fats, B vitamins, and minerals.

13. Eggfruit (Canistel)

Bright golden-yellow with a smooth, oval exterior, eggfruit earns its name from its dense, crumbly, yolk-like texture. With notes of sweet potato and maple, it’s eaten fresh or blended into desserts across Central America and the Caribbean. High in niacin, carotenoids, and dietary fiber, it’s both filling and nutritious.

14. Fig

Many figs are naturally oval with a slight neck near the stem. Their thin skin conceals jewel-toned, jammy flesh filled with edible seeds. Sweet, rich, and honeyed, figs are prized fresh or dried, providing calcium, fiber, and antioxidants that promote digestive and bone health.

15. Hog Plum

Hog plums are small, oval fruits with thin yellow-green skin and juicy, tart-sweet flesh wrapped around a spiny seed. Common in tropical America and Africa, they’re often turned into juices, chutneys, and pickles. Hog plums are a natural source of vitamin C, iron, and antimicrobial compounds.

16. Gac Fruit

Roughly oval and covered in short spines, the bright orange-red gac fruit is one of the most visually striking fruits in Southeast Asia. Inside, it holds vibrant red arils surrounding large seeds — used traditionally in rice dishes, particularly during Vietnamese celebrations. Gac is incredibly rich in beta-carotene and lycopene — in fact, it’s among the most concentrated sources of these antioxidants in the plant kingdom. Its mild, slightly oily flavor makes it ideal for both savory and medicinal uses.

17. Goji Berry

These tiny, oval-shaped berries are bright red when fresh and shriveled when dried. Goji berries, also known as wolfberries, have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine for promoting vitality and longevity. With a sweet-tart flavor, they’re often tossed into teas, soups, trail mixes, or smoothies. Nutritionally, they’re a powerhouse — rich in vitamin A, iron, and antioxidants like zeaxanthin for eye health.

18. Guava

Guavas can be round or oval, depending on the variety. The oval types have smooth or slightly bumpy skin, with pink or white flesh inside and numerous edible seeds. Intensely fragrant and tropical in flavor, guavas are packed with fiber, vitamin C (even more than oranges), and compounds that support blood sugar control and immunity.

19. Indian Jujube

This small, oval fruit ranges in color from green to reddish-brown as it ripens. Indian jujube has crisp, apple-like flesh when young and becomes sweeter and softer with age. Commonly enjoyed fresh, dried, or pickled, it’s also used in traditional Ayurvedic remedies. High in vitamin C, fiber, and anti-inflammatory compounds, it’s valued for both taste and therapeutic potential.

20. Jacote

Also known as hog plum in some regions, the jacote is an oval-shaped fruit that turns bright red, purple, or yellow when ripe. It has tart skin and juicy, fibrous flesh surrounding a tough seed. Native to Central America, jacotes are eaten fresh with salt or turned into beverages and preserves. They’re a good source of vitamin C and antioxidants.

21. Lingonberry

While usually round, some lingonberries lean toward an oval shape. These small red berries grow in cold northern climates and are renowned for their sharp tartness and deep red color. Used primarily in jams, syrups, and sauces (especially in Nordic cuisine), they’re loaded with polyphenols, vitamin E, and compounds that support urinary tract health.

22. Loquat

Oval and golden-yellow to orange, loquats resemble miniature apricots. Their juicy, sweet-tart flesh surrounds several shiny brown seeds, and they have a flavor blend reminiscent of citrus, mango, and peach. Popular in East Asia, the Mediterranean, and California, loquats are rich in vitamin A, potassium, and pectin — helpful for digestion and skin health.

23. Mango

Mangoes are typically oval or kidney-shaped, depending on the variety. Beneath their smooth, sometimes speckled skin lies golden flesh that’s succulent, fibrous, and bursting with tropical sweetness. Mangoes are native to South Asia and beloved worldwide. They’re rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, and digestive enzymes like amylase — great for gut health and glowing skin.

24. Passion Fruit

Most passion fruits are round to oval with a thick, wrinkled purple or yellow skin. Crack one open to find intensely aromatic pulp filled with crunchy seeds. Native to South America, it offers a bright, tangy-sweet flavor perfect for juices, desserts, and cocktails. Passion fruit is rich in vitamin C, fiber, and plant compounds that calm the nervous system.

25. Rambutan

Oval and hairy, rambutan looks like a tropical sea creature at first glance. Once you peel away the red spiny exterior, you’ll find a translucent oval fruit similar in taste and texture to lychee — sweet, juicy, and slightly floral. Common in Southeast Asia, rambutans are a refreshing treat rich in vitamin C, copper, and manganese.

26. Salak (Snake Fruit)

With reddish-brown scaly skin and a compact oval shape, salak earns its nickname “snake fruit.” Break into it to find crisp, garlic-clove-shaped segments with a sweet-tart crunch and hints of honey, banana, and apple. Salak is rich in fiber, antioxidants, and potassium — often eaten fresh or pickled.

27. Salmonberry

Related to raspberries, salmonberries form soft, oval-shaped aggregates of drupelets in hues of orange, red, or gold. Found in the Pacific Northwest, they’re juicy and mildly sweet, often foraged rather than farmed. Salmonberries are high in vitamins A and C and are traditionally used in indigenous cuisine and herbal remedies.

28. Sapodilla

Oval and russet brown, sapodillas have rough skin hiding soft, grainy flesh that tastes like brown sugar and pear. Native to Central America, they contain a sticky latex when unripe but become rich and caramel-like when mature. Sapodilla is a great source of dietary fiber, potassium, and antioxidants — beloved in milkshakes and desserts.

29. Sea Buckthorn

Tiny, bright orange, and oval, sea buckthorn berries grow in dense clusters on thorny shrubs. Their intense tartness is balanced by earthy undertones, making them ideal for juices, jams, and skin-care oils. These berries are exceptionally rich in vitamin C, omega-7 fatty acids, and over 190 bioactive compounds — a true superfruit in a small oval package.

30. Soursop

Large and oval with soft green spines, the soursop (or graviola) has fibrous, creamy flesh that’s both sweet and tangy — like pineapple meets banana. It’s commonly used in juices, ice cream, and traditional remedies. Soursop contains vitamin C, fiber, and bioactive compounds being researched for immune and cell-supporting benefits.

31. Tamarillo

Also known as the tree tomato, tamarillo is a shiny, egg-sized oval fruit ranging from deep red to golden orange. Inside, it’s filled with tangy, bold pulp and edible seeds. Native to South America, it’s often eaten fresh, blended into juices, or cooked into savory chutneys. Tamarillos are rich in vitamins A, C, and anthocyanins — an eye-catching and nutrient-dense fruit.

Of course, this isn’t a complete catalog of every oval fruit in existence. Regional varieties, hybrids, and lesser-known fruits continue to expand the list, especially in areas where wild or indigenous species flourish. But whether eaten fresh, offered in ceremony, or simply admired for their form, oval fruits remind us that life’s potential often comes beautifully wrapped in nature’s own elegance.