Have you ever come across a red fruit with a white interior and wondered what it might be? The most common possibilities are lychee or rambutan. However, if we dig a little deeper, there are actually many red fruits with white flesh.
To help you identify your mysterious fruit, I’ve put together a list of fruits that match this description—complete with pictures so you can compare them to your find, along with interesting details about each one. Enjoy exploring!
1. Lychee
With its rough, reddish shell, the lychee hides a juicy, translucent white flesh inside. Native to Asia, this sweet, fragrant fruit surrounds a single inedible dark seed. The contrast between the vibrant skin and the pearly center makes it as beautiful as it is tasty, and it’s packed with vitamin C to boost your health.
2. Rambutan
This tropical treat stands out with its bright red skin covered in soft, hair-like spines. Beneath the shell is a sweet, creamy white pulp that clings to a seed. Native to Southeast Asia, rambutan offers a refreshing flavor and a healthy dose of vitamin C, making it both delicious and nourishing.
3. Dragon Fruit (Red Skin Variety)
Dragon fruit’s vivid red exterior hides a mild, sweet white flesh speckled with tiny black seeds. Grown on cactus plants in tropical regions, it’s as striking on the inside as it is on the outside. Full of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants, this fruit not only decorates your plate but also supports overall wellness.
4. Mangosteen (Red-Skinned Variety)
Also called the “queen of fruits,” mangosteen has a thick, reddish-purple rind that protects its delicate white segments. The flesh is juicy, sweet, and tangy, with a soft texture that melts in your mouth. Cherished in Southeast Asia, it’s enjoyed fresh or in desserts, and is valued for its refreshing flavor and potential health benefits.
5. Pulasan
Pulasan may remind you of rambutan, but its red skin is thicker and its sweet white aril is even easier to enjoy. Native to tropical regions, it’s a rare find with a smooth, sugary taste and no sourness. Pulasan is loved not only for its flavor but also for its potential to help manage appetite and support digestion.
6. Ackee (Ripe)
When fully ripe, the bright red pod of the ackee splits open to reveal creamy white arils. Native to West Africa but famous in Jamaica, ackee must be prepared properly before eating. Once cooked, its smooth texture and mild flavor resemble scrambled eggs, making it a unique and nutritious addition to savory dishes.
7. Apple
Not all apples are red on the outside and white inside, but many varieties fit this description perfectly. Beneath the crisp red skin lies juicy, sweet-tart white flesh. Apples are among the most popular fruits worldwide, enjoyed fresh, baked, or juiced. They’re also rich in fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
8. Rose Apple (Red Variety)
Also called red wax apple, this fruit boasts glossy red skin with a crisp, watery white interior. Mildly sweet and refreshingly light, it’s a popular snack in tropical regions. Besides being low in calories, rose apples are known for supporting digestion, hydration, and heart health. Their bell-like shape adds to their charm.
9. Malay Apple (Water Apple)
The Malay apple is a striking red, bell-shaped fruit with crisp, juicy white flesh surrounding a single seed. Native to Malaysia and grown in tropical regions like the Caribbean, it’s admired for both beauty and flavor. Mildly sweet and refreshing, it’s often eaten fresh or used in drinks, salads, and desserts, adding a splash of color and hydration.
10. Red Banana
While most bananas have yellow skin, the red banana stands out with its reddish peel and creamy pale interior. Sweeter and softer than the common variety, it carries subtle raspberry-like notes. Rich in antioxidants, vitamin C, and B6, it’s a nutritious snack that also works wonderfully in smoothies, baked goods, or fruit salads.
11. Bayberry
Bayberry is a small, round, scarlet fruit with juicy pale pulp inside. Native to various parts of Asia but also grown worldwide, it offers a tangy, slightly sweet flavor with a hint of astringency. Often eaten fresh, preserved, or juiced, bayberry is valued for its refreshing taste and high antioxidant content, making it a seasonal favorite.
12. Miracle Berry
The miracle berry is a small, bright red fruit hiding a pale, fleshy interior. Native to West Africa, it’s famous for its unusual ability to make sour foods taste sweet. This effect comes from a natural compound called miraculin, which temporarily changes how your taste buds perceive flavors. Beyond its novelty, it’s sometimes explored as a sugar alternative.
Check out this post for other fruits with sweetening capabilities: 5 Berries That Make Things Sweet
13. Quandong
Quandong is a glossy, scarlet-red fruit native to Australia’s arid regions, with firm pale flesh surrounding a large seed. Slightly tart yet pleasantly sweet, it’s often made into jams, pies, and chutneys. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, this desert fruit has a long history in Aboriginal cuisine and is now valued for its unique flavor and cultural significance.
Check out Other Fruits with White Insides: