What’s this Purple Fruit with Spikes?
I came across the above question on a social media forum. If you’ve stumbled upon a purple fruit with spikes and are probably asking the same question, you’re not alone. There are countless exotic fruits out there, many of which can look unusual—especially if you’re seeing or tasting them for the first time. But don’t worry, here’s a quick list of some of the most common spiky fruits with purple hues. Hopefully, it will help you identify your mystery fruit.
1. Purple Pitaya (Dragon Fruit)
Pitaya is one of the most eye-catching fruits, with its leathery skin covered in green-tipped spikes and its brilliant purple flesh inside. The spikes aren’t sharp but give the fruit a dramatic, flame-like look. Slice it open, and you’ll find a refreshing, mildly sweet flavor that people compare to kiwi, pear, or even passion fruit. Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and vitamins, purple pitaya is as nourishing as it is beautiful.
2. Rambutan (Purple Varieties)
Rambutan is a small, round fruit that looks like it’s covered in soft hair-like spikes. While the common type is bright red, some varieties turn a deep purplish-red when ripe. Despite its spiky exterior, the fruit is easy to peel, revealing juicy, translucent flesh with a sweet, lychee-like taste. The soft spines make it look fierce but aren’t prickly to the touch—making rambutan one of the friendlier spiky purple fruits you might find.
3. Purple Prickly Pear
This cactus fruit develops a tough outer skin covered in clusters of tiny, sharp spines called glochids. In some species, the fruit and pads themselves take on a striking purple hue, especially in the Santa Rita and Purple Prickly Pear varieties. Beneath the spiky skin lies a juicy, jewel-toned pulp dotted with seeds, sweet and refreshing when chilled. While beautiful, the spikes make handling tricky, so gloves are usually needed to harvest or prepare it.
4. Purple Sugar Apple
Purple sugar apples stand out with their bumpy, scale-like skin that looks almost like natural armor. Each segment forms a small spike-like bump, giving the fruit its rugged texture. Depending on the variety, the rind can appear reddish-purple or deep violet, protecting the creamy, custard-like flesh inside. Sweet and fragrant, the fruit is often compared to custard or tropical candy. Though spiky on the outside, it’s soft and indulgent on the inside—a real treat for fruit lovers.