When looking for fruits, vegetables or fruits that start with the letter "Q", many despair. We introduce you to 7 types that correspond exactly to this criterion.

In a nutshell

  • the most well-known fruit beginning with a “Q” is the quince
  • when it comes to vegetables, quinoa should be mentioned
  • some names are synonyms of known fruit species

Quandong

  • Santalum acuminatum
  • Sandalwood family (Santalaceae)
  • Origin: Australia
  • produces nutrient-rich stone fruits
  • Diameter: 20mm to 40mm
  • waxy shell
  • stone quite large
  • Color: red, yellow
  • Flesh about 3 mm thick
  • Aroma: sweet, sour-salty aftertaste, somewhat reminiscent of lentils
  • high content of proteins and complex fats
  • contains numerous antioxidants in the pulp
  • Use; Can be eaten raw, dried, desserts, cosmetics

Quararibea cordata

Source: Allmhurach, Zapote andes allmhurach, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Matisia cordata
  • Synonyms: Sapota, Zapote, Chupa-Chupa
  • Wool tree family (Bombacoideae)
  • Origin: South America
  • Tree produces edible fruit
  • eaten raw
  • Size: 6cm to 14cm
  • finely hairy
  • solid, leathery shell
  • Colour: greenish, brownish
  • Flesh: soft, fibrous structure, yellowish-orange
  • Flavor: sweet
  • is more commonly processed into juice

Queensland Araucaria

Source: Tatters:) on Flickr, Araucaria bidwillii foliage cones, edited by Plantopedia, CC BY 2.0
  • Araucaria bidwillii
  • Araucaria family (Araucariaceae)
  • Origin: Australia
  • Infructescence: cones 30 cm long
  • only the cone seeds are used
  • Diameter: 25mm
  • Colour: light yellow
  • Flavor resembles chestnuts
  • Usage: cooked, roasted, raw, fermented, tea, flour (for breads)

Queensland grass-cloth plant

Source: Mark Marathon, Pipturus argenteus fruit, edited by pl, CC BY-SA 3.0
  • Pipeturus argenteus
  • Nettle family (Urticaceae)
  • Synonyms: White Nettle, White Mulberry, False Stinger, Amahatyan, Native Mulberry
  • Origin: Oceania
  • Tree with size from 6 m to 20 m
  • small fruits are formed
  • Size: about 6mm
  • Colour: white, green
  • misshapen
  • juicy
  • Flavor: sweet
  • are consumed directly
  • Traditionally, seeds are good for pregnant women and children

Notice: Even the leaves of the Queensland grass-cloth plant can be eaten. They are mostly cooked in coconut milk as leafy greens.

Quenepa

  • Melicoccus bijugatus
  • Soap Tree (Sapindaceae)
  • Synonym: honeyberry, Spanish lime
  • Origin: South America, Central America, Caribbean
  • small fruits resembling limes are formed
  • Size: 25mm to 35mm
  • Color green
  • Seeds: cream-colored, crisp, smooth
  • Sarcotesta: transparent, juicy, gelatinous
  • Aroma: pleasantly sour (unripe), sweet with a hint of honey (ripe)
  • Usage: Raw consumption, cooked, in beverages

Tip: In Mexico, the Quenepa is often mixed in drinks together with the spices that are typical there. Try the fruit with chilies, limes or salt.

quinoa

  • Chenopodium quinoa
  • Subfamily: Chenopodioideae
  • Origin: Andes
  • annual crop
  • Pseudograin is actually a vegetable
  • related to spinach (Spinacia oleracea)
  • Grains and leaves edible
  • contains high amounts of proteins, minerals, unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids
  • low in carbohydrates
  • Grains (seeds) are formed on achenes
  • Seed size: 1 mm to 4 mm
  • come in numerous colors: black, brown, gray, white, yellow, orange, red, pink, cream
  • Usage: Pseudo-cereals in dishes, smoothies, soup, muesli additive, oatmeal alternative, leafy greens for salads

quince

Quince tree with fruits
  • Cydonia oblonga
  • Pome fruit (Pyrinae)
  • Synonyms: quince apple, honey apple
  • Origin: Caucasus region
  • Cannot be eaten raw in Central Europe without pre-treatment
  • Fruit contains numerous bitter substances in the fluff and pulp
  • Flesh quite hard
  • Weight: up to 600 g
  • Color yellow
  • Shell covered with soft down
  • Taste: slightly acidic, reminiscent of citrus fruits
  • Shape resembles apples (apple quince) or pears (pear quince)
  • Pre-treatment: brush off, rub off
  • Use: desserts (e.g. dulce de membrillo), compotes, jams, alcoholic beverages, juice, soup
  • The term marmalade came from the Portuguese term marmelo for quince

Tip: If you want to eat quinces raw, you need to choose the right variety. A small selection includes the 'raw food', 'shirin' and 'honey quince'.

frequently asked Questions

What are squeaks and squeezes?

These fruits are synonyms for other plants. The Quetsche is simply the classic plum (Prunus domestica subsp. domestica), which is so called in some parts of Germany. The quince, on the other hand, refers to the rowan berry (Sorbus aucuparia).

What are the most popular types of fruit that start with "Q"?

In addition to the types already mentioned, there are, for example, well-known apple varieties such as 'Quittenapfel' and 'Queen Cox'. When it comes to cherries, the 'Queen Anne' should be mentioned, which is known in German under the name 'Great Princess'. Even a tomato variety, the 'Quedlinburger Frühe Liebe', has to be mentioned. The red wine varieties 'Quagliano' and 'Quebranta' are available with the "Q" at the beginning.

Are there nuts with this first letter?

Only a few. In English-speaking countries, the macadamia nut (Macadamia integrifolia) is known as the Queensland nut. There are also oaks, whose botanical name Quercus begins with a "Q". In this case, these are the only nuts whose name begins with the letter, but is not common in German.

Category:

Garden plants