15 Most Delicious Hawaiian Fruits You Must Try 2023
Are you visiting Hawaii and eager to sample the local produce? Scroll to discover the top Hawaiian fruits you must sample on your upcoming trip! You can locate them at a farmers market in Hawaii or at the grocery store.
Every time our family travels to Hawaii, the grocery store is one of our first stops after arriving at the airport. That way, we can buy plenty of scrumptious Hawaii fruit to enjoy for breakfast the following morning.
I want to eat delicious Hawaiian fruits every single day!
Then, to determine where to go each day to purchase farm-fresh Hawaiian fruits, we typically consult the Farmers Market schedule. In Hawaii, we adore supporting regional businesses and farmers.
We enjoy chatting with the farmers to learn about the fresh produce that is in season and any new fruit or vegetable varieties we should try. It’s one of Hawaii’s top locations for fruit shopping.
What fruits grow in Hawaii, you might be wondering at this point. The reply is a TON!
For an easy list of fruits that everyone should try, I’ve gathered my top 15 Hawaii-grown fruits.
Additionally, picking them yourself off Hawaiian fruit trees earns you bonus points!
FAQs about Hawaiian Fruits
What kind of fruit grows in Hawaii?
You can find citrus fruit and lychee in the spring. Mango, passion fruit, and dragon fruit are available in the summer. Additionally, you can always find delicious apple bananas, pineapple, papaya, and coconut! So many delicious tropical fruits in Hawaii!
What fruit is Hawaii famous for?
Pineapple is a common association with Hawaii. That is due to the early 1900s pineapple plantations. Only Maui Gold and the Dole Plantation on Oahu remain today.
Are pineapples native to Hawaii?
Despite the fact that Hawaii is known for its pineapples, they are not actually Hawaiian in origin. They were actually imported from South America.
15 Most Delicious Hawaiian Fruits You Must Try
1. Hawaiian Sugarloaf Pineapple
You probably envision Waikiki Beach, palm trees, surfers, and pineapples when you think of Hawaii. In the past, Hawaii produced the most pineapples worldwide.
Although there are 37 different kinds of pineapple, Sugarloaf Pineapple is by far my favorite. It is particularly special to eat in Hawaii because it is grown there and doesn’t frequently ship to the Mainland.
Its fruit is more of a white color and is the sweetest variety. Since the acidity is always low, I can eat an entire pineapple without experiencing any discomfort. In Hawaii, it’s one of my favorite fruits.
2. Hawaiian mango
Mango is one of my favorite fruits that are grown in Hawaii. Every member of my family can eat at least one by themselves because they are so sweet and juicy.
I discover that those tiny roadside stands have the sweetest mangoes. I believe it is because they are made at home rather than in a factory. But it could simply be the novelty of finding them by the side of the road!
Mango trees can be found in abundance in Hawaii. In fact, you can book Airbnbs that are close to mango trees.
Mangoes are palatable either cold from the refrigerator or at room temperature. It is one of my favorite foods when it is sliced up and sprinkled with li hing mui powder. So tasty!
In addition, the organic shave ice stands offer fresh mango as a topping.
And if you want to make a fantastic mango dessert, try this delicious mango sticky rice recipe!
SEE MORE: Mango Season in Hawaii
3. Hawaii Apple Bananas
Actually, I’m not a huge fan of bananas. They strike me as bland and starchy. But I can’t get enough of Apple Bananas!
They are “kid-size” and flavorful in a big way. They are the perfect size to pack while hiking in Hawaii or touring the island by car, and you can find them at supermarkets or farmers markets.
They are typically made with Apple Bananas, if you’ve traveled the Road to Hana and sampled some of the incredible banana bread along the way. It tastes SO good because of this!
Additionally, apple bananas are one of the few Hawaiian fruits that aren’t exported to the mainland.
4. Lychee Hawaii
One of Hawaii’s most unusual fruits that is worth trying is lychee.
When I was a child visiting Hawaii, I had my first taste of lychee. They were in a bag that we purchased from the back of a truck. They demonstrated to us how to use our teeth to pierce the skin and peel it off to reveal a tasty little fruit. Since then, I’ve been hooked!
Years later, I learned that it’s a well-known Asian fruit.
It has a large pit inside and the texture of a more muscle-like grape. It’s one of those Hawaiian fruits that tastes great while being consumed on a lanai while drinking wine.
If you’re unable to find the seasonally available fresh fruit from Hawaii, you can also order Lychee green tea with Lychee jelly at any bubble tea shop in the world. My favorite combination is that one!
5. Hawaiian Guava
Guava is another Hawaiian fruit. It is a key component of the well-known Passion-Orange-Guava (POG) juice.
Guavas can be picked yourself or purchased at farmers markets. You’re likely to come across Strawberry Guava on the trail if you’re hiking in Hawaii’s mountains.
The small fruit known as guava can be consumed on its own or added to other foods. It can be found in guava juice, jelly, syrup, and many baked goods.
6. Hawaiian Passion Fruit
Additionally, POG juice contains passion fruit, also known as lilikoi in Hawaii.
It is a small fruit native to Hawaii that can be scooped out with a spoon after being cut in half. It is available as a standalone food item as well as in many Hawaiian desserts, syrups, jams, juices, and baked goods.
In addition, it’s a well-liked component of shave ice, Hawaiian fruit smoothies, and acai bowls.
Toast with Lilikoi butter is one of my favorite breakfast foods. It’s delicious, and it’s a wonderful souvenir from Hawaii to take home!
7. Hawaiian Mountain Apple
Hawaiian Mountain Apples are very different from mainland Mountain Apples, despite their name. Mountain apples aren’t round, to start. They resemble a bell more.
These Hawaiian fruits have a rose-like flavor and are incredibly juicy and sweet. Like an ordinary apple, the fruit can be eaten whole or sliced into snacks.
They are also useful for cooking. Applesauce is the simplest food to prepare. All you need to do is blend the cooked apples with fresh ginger, cinnamon, and lemon juice.
8. Hawaiian Coconut
Although technically a nut, coconut meat is regarded by many as a fruit, which is why I’ve included it on this list.
It’s a fruit that is quite adaptable. You can scrape out the coconut meat to eat fresh and drink the water from the coconut. The meat may also be squeezed to create coconut milk. The majority of grocery stores and farmers markets also sell dried coconut.
In almost every luau in Hawaii, coconut is also a key component of the Hawaiian dessert Haupia.
9. Hawaiian Papaya
Papaya is yet another of my favorite Hawaiian fruits. You can eat it on its own, but to really enhance the flavor, I like to squeeze some lime juice on top.
Compared to the Mexican papayas you typically find on the Mainland, the Hawaiian variety is more pear-shaped. The fruit inside can be either a vivid reddish-orange or a golden yellow color.
Due to papayas’ abundance in protein-digesting enzymes, which aid in digestion, it also makes for the ideal after-dinner treat.
10. Rambutan in Hawaii
One of the more exotic-looking Hawaiian fruits is unquestionably this one. It has a hairy red and green shell, after all! It is therefore my choice for the fruit that looks best on Instagram.
During the months of February and March, Hawaii residents can purchase this Asian fruit at local farmers markets. It has a flavor somewhat akin to lychee but is a little tarter.
Simply use a knife to slit open the skin to access the meat. They are a favorite afternoon snack of ours.
11. Hawaiian Persimmon
Another Asian fruit that migrated to Hawaii is the persimmon. They are a delicious treat that can only be grown in Hawaii’s ideal climate.
To eat them, you simply need to peel and cut them. To remove the skin, we either use a peeler or a knife, and then we slice them like we would an apple.
Although it has a distinct flavor, the texture is somewhat similar to a firm peach. They are incredibly tasty!
12. Longan in Hawaii
I didn’t try this fruit until a few years ago, when my mother-in-law was ecstatic to discover it in Hawaii. They were known as “Dragon Eyes” and she grew up eating them in Hong Kong.
Although the skin is much smoother and less prickly, it tastes somewhat tarter than Lychee. The way you eat them is unchanged. Eat the fruit after removing the skin. Compared to a lychee, the seed is smaller.
13. Kumquat Hawaii
So the secret to eating kumquats is that you have to swallow the entire fruit. I peeled them the first time I tried them and only ate the extremely sour fruit inside. In fact, the sweetness is only present on the skin.
We now eat them as a sour and sweet snack.
However, you can also get dried varieties at some supermarkets and the Aloha Swap Meet.
14. Breadfruit in Hawaii
Breadfruit is not typically thought of when picturing tropical Hawaiian fruit. This fruit is much more starchy, as its name suggests.
Polynesian explorers brought breadfruit, or ulu as it is known in Hawaii. It used to be a mainstay of Hawaiian cuisine, but it’s no longer as well-known as it once was.
In all honesty, you won’t want to snack on it, but you should still try it, in my opinion.
At the Polynesian Cultural Center, you can get a sample if you don’t want to buy the whole thing. Additionally, some grocers and farmers markets sell Breadfruit hummus.
15. Star fruit Hawaii
While star fruit is available elsewhere in the world, I believe Hawaii is the best place to eat it. I first tried it there, and I must say, it’s delicious!
Because you get star-shaped slices when you cut it, it is called Star Fruit. You can find them as a garnish or on top of salads because of their adorable shape.
However, you can also eat it by itself. You decide if you want to take the skin off. The entire fruit has a sweet and tart flavor.
Hawaiian Fruits Summary
Having learned what fruits grow in Hawaii, you must visit there to sample them all. Hawaii is home to a wide variety of delicious fruits and vegetables.
And if you’re thinking about visiting the islands, make sure to try these Hawaii’s best fruits!
Topic: 15 Most Delicious Hawaiian Fruits You Must Try 2023
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By: Travel Pixy