Common Fruits and Vegetables in Spanish
If you are hungry to learn about fruits and vegetables in Spanish (frutas y vegetales) and be able to shop confidently in your travels, this article is for you!
Fruits and vegetables in Spanish
As in many cases, some names may vary according to the region you are in. This phenomenon is similar to what happens between the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia.
For example, beetroot is called “betabel” in Mexico, “remolacha” in Spain, and “betarraga” in Chile and Colombia. But at least these inventories will provide you a first glance to a great culinary experience.
Let’s begin!
Frutas – Fruits
Common fruit names in Spanish
This is your basic list of everyday fruits. Yes, a tomato is a fruit, not a veggie!
| COMMON FRUITS | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Jitomate | Tomato |
| Manzana | Apple |
| Naranja | Orange |
| Naranja | Orange |
| Pera | Pear |
| Plátano | Banana |
| Uva | Grape |
Exotic and tropical fruits in Spanish
Now, if you are feeling adventurous, this is the directory of fruits from the tropical and semi-tropical regions. Some have striking names as well as exotic looks!
| TROPICAl/EXOTIC FRUITS IN SPANISH | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Carambola | Star fruit |
| Chico zapote | Sapote apple/Black sapote |
| Coco | Coconut |
| Guanábana | Soursop |
| Guayaba | Guava |
| Kiwi | Kiwi fruit |
| Lichi | Lychee |
| Mamey | Mamey sapote |
| Mangostán | Mangosteen |
| Maracuyá | Passion fruit |
| Noni | Noni |
| Papaya | Papaya |
| Pérsimo | Persimon |
| Piña | Pinapple |
| Pitaya | Dragon fruit |
| Rambután | Rambutan |
| Tuna | Prickly pear |
Stone fruits in Spanish
These fruits are more common in the United States and in Europe. The list includes avocado and mango, which actually grow in hot and humid weather but are stone fruits.
Many have taken a great interest in being able to order these fruits in Spanish because of their nutritional profiles.
Then again, mango is one of the few, along with kiwi, which has the same name in English and Spanish.
| STONE FRUITS | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Aguacate | Avocado |
| Almendra | Almond |
| Cereza | Cherry |
| Chabacano | Apricot |
| Ciruela | Plum |
| Durazno | Peach |
| Mango | Mango |
| Nectarina | Nectarine |
Citric fruits in Spanish
Citric fruits are known for their impressive scores of vitamin C contents and their bounties of health benefits. They are the bitter-sweet kind of guy of the fruity gang.
| CITRIC FRUITS | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Clementina | Clementine |
| Lima | Sweet lime |
| Limón | Lime |
| Limón amarillo (Meyer) | Lemon |
| Mandarina | Mandarin |
| Pomelo | Pomelo |
| Toronja | Grapefruit |
Types of berries and their names in Spanish
Berries are diverse and grow in different climates around the globe. The list below contains your classic strawberry from California to the goji berry from China and the golden berries from the Andean mountains.
You will find that many people in Mexico use the English name for the blueberry.
| BERRIES | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Arándano | Cranberry |
| Frambuesa | Raspberry |
| Fresa | Strawberry |
| Goji | Goji berry |
| Mora azul | Blueberry |
| Uchuva/Uvilla de los Andes | Golden berry |
| Zarzamora | Blackberry |
Spanish names for melons
The register is short but their colors and taste are long-lasting. Cucumber belongs to the same botanical family of melon, watermelon, and squashes actually.
| MELONS | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Calabacín | Courgette/Zucchini |
| Calabaza de castilla | Pumpkin |
| Melón | Cantaloupe melon |
| Melón verde | Honey dew melon |
| Pepino | Cucumber |
| Sandía | Watermelon |
Verduras – Vegetables
Common vegetables in Spanish
This catalogue includes usual vegetables you can find in supermarkets and farmer markets in Spanish speaking countries.
| COMMON VEGGIES | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Alcachofa | Artichoke |
| Apio | Celery |
| Berenjena | Eggplant/Aubergine |
| Brócoli | Broccoli |
| Calabaza de castilla | Pumpkin |
| Calabaza/Calabacín | Courgette/Zucchini |
| Chile | Chili pepper |
| Col/Repollo | Cabbage |
| Coliflor | Cauliflower |
| Ejote/Judía/Habichuela/Poroto | French bean/Runner bean |
| Espárrago | Asparagus |
| Nopal | Cactus leaf |
| Pimiento/Pimentón | Bell pepper |
| Tomatillo/Tomate verde | Tomatillo |
Salad greens in Spanish
This list is for salad lovers and ever-lasting dieters.
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Acelga | Swiss chard |
| Arúgula | Rocket |
| Berros | Watercress |
| Berza | Kale |
| Espinaca | Spinach |
| Lechuga | Lettuce |
Alliums in Spanish
No fresh produce record would be complete without onion and garlic, two of the most used ingredients in modern cooking.
| ALLUIMS | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Ajo | Garlic |
| Cebolla | Onion |
| Cebollín | Chives |
| Cebollita cambray | Spring onion |
| Echalote | Shalot |
| Poro/puerro | Leek |
Aromatic herbs in Spanish
Since we are talking about seasoning, cooking herbs can’t be left out of the listings, so here they are with their fragrant glory.
| HERBS | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Albahaca | Basil |
| Cilantro | Coriander |
| Hierbabuena | Peppermint |
| Menta | Mint |
| Orégano | Oregano |
| Perejil | Parsley |
| Romero | Rosemary |
| Salvia | Sage |
| Tomillo | Thyme |
Roots and supds in Spanish
They are humble, and sometimes misunderstood, but their earthy flavors have earned them a spot in this foodie editorial piece.
| ROOTS & SPUDS | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Betabel/Remolacha/Betarraga | Beetroot |
| Camote amarillo/Batata | Sweet potato |
| Cúrcuma | Turmeric |
| Jengibre | Ginger |
| Papa cambray | New potato |
| Papa/Patata | Potato |
| Rábano | Raddish |
| Zanahoria | Carrot |
Cereales y legumbres – Cereals and legumes
These food groups are generally found between crossed-fire.
Some nutrition experts may say that humans are not equipped to digest them, whilst others swear by chickpeas and beans and recommend cereal and legumes as the main source of protein.
The fact is that wheat, rice, and corn are fundamental crops in diverse communities of the planet since the beginning of civilization.
Nonetheless, gluten-free products, as well as ancient-grain baked goods, have raised their sales in the last decade. Whichever your dietary preferences or needs are it may be handy to know their names.
| COMMON GRAINS AND LEGUMES | |
| SPANISH | ENGLISH |
| Alforfón | Buckwheat |
| Amaranto | Amaranth |
| Arroz | Rice |
| Cebada | Barley |
| Centeno | Rye |
| Chícharo/Arveja/Guisante | Pea |
| Elote | Corn on the cob |
| Frijol | Bean |
| Garbanzo | Chickpea |
| Haba | Green bean |
| Lenteja | Lentil |
| Maíz/Choclo | Maize/Corn |
| Malta | Malt |
| Mijo | Millet |
| Quinoa/Quínua | Quinoa |
| Sorgo | Sorghum |
| Teff | Teff |
| Trigo | Wheat |