What is a fruit with 3 letters?

When looking for a fruit that is spelled with just 3 letters, there are a few potential options that immediately come to mind. Some common fruits with 3-letter names include apple, lime, fig, and kiwi. Let’s take a deeper look at some of the main 3-letter fruits and their characteristics.

Apples

One of the most ubiquitous and popular 3-letter fruits is the apple. Apples have been cultivated for thousands of years and are grown commercially worldwide. There are over 7,500 known cultivars of apples that come in a wide array of colors, flavors, textures, and sizes.

Some of the most common apple varieties include:

  • Red Delicious – Sweet, juicy, crisp, conical shape, bright red skin
  • Gala – Sweet, crisp, aromatic, speckled pinkish-red skin
  • Fuji – Sweet, very crisp and juicy, yellowish-green skin with red highlights
  • Granny Smith – Tart, crunchy, green skin
  • Honeycrisp – Sweet, very crisp, juicy, red and yellow mottled skin

Apples contain antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C, and other nutrients that offer health benefits. They are fat-free, sodium-free, and cholesterol-free. Apples can be eaten fresh or used in recipes like pies, juices, jams, sauces, salads and more.

Limes

Limes are a citrus fruit known for their tart, acidic juice and zest. There are several main types of limes:

  • Persian limes – More commonly known as regular supermarket limes, these are oval in shape with thin green skin and light green flesh. They are quite tart and acidic.
  • Key limes – Smaller, seedier variety native to Southeast Asia. Their juice has a distinctive tart, floral flavor. Used to make Key lime pie.
  • Kaffir limes – Bumpy, green citrus fruit used in Southeast Asian cuisine. The leaves and zest are very aromatic.
  • Australian finger limes – Shaped like small citrus fingers, they have tangy “pearls” of juice inside. Unique flavor and texture.

Limes contribute bright, fresh acidity to various dishes and beverages. Their juice can be used to make drinks like limeade, cocktails like the gimlet or daiquiri, marinades for meats, and dressings for fish tacos. The zest adds lovely lime aroma to recipes as well. Limes offer vitamin C, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that provide health benefits.

Figs

Figs have a deliciously sweet, honey-like flavor and a soft, smooth texture when ripe. They are thought to be one of the first plants cultivated by humans. Dried or fresh figs have been prized in Mediterranean regions since ancient times. There are over 700 varieties of figs.

Some common types of figs include:

  • Black Mission – Plump, deep purple skin, pinkish-red flesh, sweet and low in acidity.
  • Kadota – Light greenish-yellow skin, amber flesh, smooth texture, delicately sweet.
  • Brown Turkey – Large, bell shaped, purplish-brown skin, sweet red flesh, used dried or fresh.
  • Sierra – Pale green skin blushing yellow, sweet aroma, closed eye prevents insects.
  • Calimyrna – Large, nutty, honey flavor, dry yellowish-green skin, originally from Turkey.

Fresh figs can be eaten raw, dried, or baked into recipes. Their sweetness works well in everything from breakfast dishes to desserts. Dried figs make a healthy, fiber-filled snack. Figs provide a good source of fiber, manganese, vitamins B6, A, and K, as well as minerals like potassium and magnesium.

Kiwis

Kiwifruit, often just called kiwis, are small fuzzy-skinned fruits with brilliant green or golden flesh. They originate from China but became very popular when cultivated in New Zealand in the 20th century. The most common variety has oval shape and tart-sweet juicy green flesh.

Some details on kiwifruit:

  • Fuzzy brown skin and emerald green flesh
  • Sweet and tangy flavor
  • Contains vitamin C, K, potassium, folate, and antioxidants
  • Can be eaten raw, made into drinks, used in desserts, salads, salsa, chutneys
  • Related to fruits like papaya, guava, and berries

Kiwis offer a range of health benefits – they have anti-inflammatory properties, can help digestion, may lower blood pressure, and contain lots of vitamin C. Their unique taste and texture make them a fun addition to the diet.

Other 3-Letter Fruits

There are a few less common fruits that are also spelled with 3 letters, such as:

  • Loq – Originating in Borneo, loq are small round fruits with creamy white flesh and edible seeds.
  • Pep – Also called pepinos, these South American fruits resemble a melon and taste like a honeydew crossed with a cucumber.
  • Ate – A rounded heart-shaped fruit from the South Pacific, atemoyas are a hybrid of cherimoya and sugar apple trees.
  • Kei – A relative of plums, kei apples have a yellow, almost banana-like flesh. They come from South Africa.

While not as common commercially, these more exotic 3-letter fruits can sometimes be found at specialty grocers or ethnic markets. Their unique flavors and textures make them worth seeking out for adventurous fruit lovers.

Health Benefits

Fruits that are spelled with only 3 letters, like apples, limes, figs, and kiwis, offer many important vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other plant compounds that give them nutritional benefits. Here are some of the key health perks of these fruits:

  • Fiber – Fruits provide both soluble and insoluble fiber, which helps regulate digestion and promotes gut health.
  • Vitamin C – Many fruits are high in immune-boosting vitamin C, including citrus fruits, kiwis, peppers, and atemoyas.
  • Potassium – The 3-letter fruits above are good sources of potassium, which helps control blood pressure.
  • Antioxidants – Compounds like flavonoids, carotenoids, and polyphenols have antioxidant effects to help reduce oxidative stress.
  • Phytochemicals – Plants contain phytochemicals that research links to health benefits.

Incorporating more 3-letter fruits into your diet can increase your intake of beneficial nutrients and plant compounds. Their wide range of flavors, textures, colors, and versatility also makes them a tasty addition to meals and snacks.

Interesting Facts

Here are some fascinating and fun facts about fruits that are just 3 letters long:

  • Apples float because they contain 25% air trapped within their porous flesh which makes them less dense than water.
  • It takes about 2,500 Key limes to make one gallon of Key lime juice.
  • Figs have dead female wasps inside them who crawl into the fruit to lay eggs but get trapped.
  • Kiwis were originally called Chinese gooseberries until they were rebranded with the more appealing name.
  • Apples belong to the rose family along with pears, plums, cherries, peaches, raspberries, almonds, and strawberries.
  • Figs release enzymes that hasten ripening when they come in contact with each other, so they should be stored carefully.
  • Christopher Columbus brought the first lime seeds to the Americas on his second voyage in 1493.
  • Kiwifruit vines can produce fruit for over 100 years.

From botanical quirks to fascinating origin stories, these tidbits showcase just how intriguing 3-letter fruits can be! There’s always more to learn about even the most common produce.

Uses in Recipes

The versatility of 3-letter fruits means they can be used in all kinds of sweet and savory recipes:

  • Apples – apple pie, applesauce, pork chops with apple chutney, apple cider, Waldorf salad, chicken salad with apples, apple butter
  • Limes – key lime pie, limeade, ceviche, lime chicken fajitas, mojitos, lime dressing
  • Figs – fresh figs with goat cheese, fig jam, baked brie with figs, fig and walnut bread, chicken stuffed with figs
  • Kiwis – kiwi smoothie, tropical fruit salsa, kiwi sauce for meat or desserts, kiwi ice cream

Experimenting with these fruits across the breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert spectrum can enhance all types of dishes with their unique flavors and textures.

Selection and Storage

Here are some tips for choosing ripe, flavorful 3-letter fruits and storing them properly:

  • Apples – Choose unbruised, firm apples without soft spots. Refrigerate in plastic bag to retain moisture for 2-3 weeks.
  • Limes – Select smooth, glossy limes that feel heavy for their size. Store at room temp or refrigerate for 5-10 days.
  • Figs – Pick figs that yield slightly when pressed but aren’t mushy. Use fresh right away or refrigerate for 2-3 days.
  • Kiwis – Opt for plump kiwis that give slightly when pressed. Let firm kiwis ripen on counter, then refrigerate.

Proper storage helps extend the shelf life of delicate fruits like these. Keeping them refrigerated slows down ripening enzymes and prevents moisture loss.

Cost Comparison

Pricing for 3-letter fruits can vary based on factors like:

  • Geographic region and seasonal availability
  • Conventional vs. organic farming
  • Premium vs. standard grade
  • Purchased individually vs. bulk quantity
  • Whole fruit vs. pre-cut

Here is a general cost comparison per pound in U.S. dollars:

Fruit Average Price Range (per lb)
Apples $1.50 – $3
Limes $0.50 – $2
Figs $2.50 – $5
Kiwis $2 – $4

Among these options, limes tend to be the most affordable per pound. Apples offer a good balance of nutrition and value. Figs and kiwis cost more but their unique appeal may make them worth splurging on at times.

Nutritional Data Comparison

Here is a nutritional overview comparing 3-letter fruits:

Nutrient (per 100g) Apples Limes Figs Kiwis
Calories 52 30 74 61
Carbs 14g 11g 19g 15g
Fiber 2.4g 2.8g 2.9g 3.0g
Vitamin C 4.6mg 29.1mg 2.0mg 92.7mg
Potassium 107mg 102mg 232mg 312mg

While all these fruits offer valuable nutrition, limes and kiwis excel when it comes to providing antioxidant vitamin C. Figs stand out for their potassium content. Apples offer a balanced nutritional profile.

Conclusion

Fruits that contain just 3 letters in their names like apples, limes, figs, and kiwis provide unique flavors, textures, and nutrition. These compact 3-letter fruits offer convenience along with important benefits. Their diversity across many families showcases how nature can pack so much into small fruiting packages. Incorporating these 3-letter produce picks into your diet is an easy way to add color, variety, and health perks. Their versatility also lends itself well to including them in numerous types of cuisine.

Leave a Comment