Fruits of Portugal: The Complete List

Portugal’s long coastline and varied microclimates mean fruit appears on tables year-round, from mountain orchards in the north to sun-drenched groves in the south. Local markets and seasonal festivals reflect a tradition of eating what’s fresh, with small farms and coastal growers shaping distinct regional flavors.

There are 34 Fruits of Portugal, ranging from Almond (Amêndoa) to Watermelon (Melancia). For each fruit, you’ll find below organized data with the columns: Scientific name, Season (months), Main regions — practical details to help you buy, cook, or plan visits; you’ll find below.

When is the best time to buy Portuguese fruits?

Seasonality varies: citrus and almonds peak in winter and early spring, stone fruits and melons in summer, and apples and pears in autumn; check the Season (months) column for each fruit and shop local markets mid-season for the freshest picks and best prices.

Are any of these fruits unique to specific Portuguese regions?

Yes — some varieties thrive only in certain microclimates, like Algarve citrus and Madeira’s subtropical fruits; consult the Main regions column to see which areas specialize in each item and plan visits or purchases accordingly.

Fruits of Portugal

Images and Descriptions

Apple (Maçã)

A crisp and versatile fruit. Portugal’s ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’ variety is famous for its intense aroma. Apples are eaten fresh, baked into pies and tarts, or made into cider.

Pear (Pêra Rocha)

The ‘Pêra Rocha’ is Portugal’s most famous pear, known for its firm, sweet, and granular flesh. It holds a PDO status and is a major export, enjoyed fresh or in desserts.

Quince (Marmelo)

Too tart to be eaten raw, this fragrant fruit is famously cooked with sugar to create ‘marmelada’, a thick, sweet paste traditionally served with cheese.

Loquat (Nêspera)

One of the first fruits of spring, the nêspera is a small, orange fruit with a sweet and tangy flavor, reminiscent of peach and citrus. It’s typically eaten fresh, skin peeled.

Cherry (Cereja)

Portuguese cherries, especially from the Fundão region, are a celebrated summer treat. These sweet, juicy stone fruits are enjoyed fresh and are the star of many local festivals.

Sour Cherry (Ginja)

Smaller and much tarter than sweet cherries, the ginja is rarely eaten fresh. It’s the key ingredient for ‘Ginjinha’, a famous sour cherry liqueur often served in a chocolate cup.

Plum (Ameixa)

Ranging from sweet and golden (‘Rainha Cláudia’) to tart and purple, plums are a versatile summer fruit. They are eaten fresh, dried into prunes, or used in jams and pastries.

Peach (Pêssego)

The peaches from Cova da Beira are particularly famous (PGI status). Juicy, fragrant, and sweet, they are a quintessential summer fruit, perfect for eating fresh or grilling.

Fig (Figo)

A classic Mediterranean fruit with a soft, sweet, and pulpy interior. Figs are eaten fresh from the tree, dried for year-round enjoyment, or made into rich, dark jams.

Grape (Uva)

Grapes are the heart of Portugal’s world-famous wine industry. They are also enjoyed as sweet, juicy table grapes, with numerous local varieties available throughout the late summer.

Orange (Laranja)

The Algarve is renowned for its incredibly sweet and juicy oranges, a staple of Portuguese breakfasts as freshly squeezed juice. They are a key agricultural product for the region.

Lemon (Limão)

A kitchen essential found in gardens across the country. Portuguese lemons are used for everything from seasoning fish and meat to making desserts, drinks like lemonade, and flavorings.

Tangerine (Tangerina)

Sweeter and easier to peel than an orange, tangerines and clementines are a popular winter citrus fruit. They are a healthy, convenient snack enjoyed by all ages.

Melon (Melão)

A refreshing summer favorite, often served as a starter with cured ham (‘presunto’). The skin can be green, white, or yellow, encasing sweet, fragrant, and juicy flesh.

Watermelon (Melancia)

The ultimate thirst-quencher on a hot summer day. Alentejo’s large, sweet watermelons are incredibly juicy and a common sight at roadside stands and family picnics.

Strawberry (Morango)

A popular berry enjoyed for its bright red color, sweetness, and aroma. Strawberries are eaten fresh, often with cream, and are a key ingredient in countless desserts and jams.

Strawberry Tree Fruit (Medronho)

A wild, bumpy, red-orange berry with a unique, slightly grainy texture and sweet taste. It’s most famous for being distilled into a potent spirit called ‘Aguardente de Medronho’.

Prickly Pear (Figo da Índia)

The fruit of the Opuntia cactus, this vibrant fruit has a sweet, refreshing flavor like a mix of watermelon and pear. It must be peeled carefully to avoid its fine spines.

Pomegranate (Romã)

A beautiful fruit filled with hundreds of jewel-like, juicy seeds called arils. Pomegranates have a sweet-tart flavor and are used in salads, drinks, and as a decorative garnish.

Persimmon (Dióspiro)

An autumn delicacy with a vibrant orange color. The soft, ripe variety has a jelly-like texture and honey-sweet flavor, while the crisp variety can be eaten like an apple.

Chestnut (Castanha)

A symbol of autumn in Portugal, chestnuts are famously sold roasted in street-side carts (‘castanhas assadas’). They have a sweet, nutty flavor and are also used in soups and stuffings.

Almond (Amêndoa)

The Algarve is famous for its almond blossoms in early spring. The nuts are a key ingredient in Portuguese confectionery, used in cakes, marzipan-like sweets, and liqueurs.

Carob (Alfarroba)

The pod of the carob tree is a staple of the Algarve. Its pulp is dried and ground into a powder used as a healthy, caffeine-free substitute for cocoa in cakes and pastries.

Olive (Azeitona)

A cornerstone of Portuguese gastronomy. Though technically a fruit, olives are cured and eaten as an appetizer or used to produce the nation’s celebrated olive oils (‘azeite’).

Banana da Madeira

Smaller, sweeter, and more aromatic than typical bananas, the ‘Banana da Madeira’ has a protected geographical indication (PGI). It is a staple fruit on the island, eaten fresh or in desserts.

Azores Pineapple (Ananás dos Açores)

Grown in unique greenhouses (‘estufas’), this pineapple has a protected designation of origin (PDO). It is known for its intense aroma, low acidity, and exceptionally tender flesh.

Cherimoya (Anona)

A heart-shaped green fruit with a creamy, white pulp and a flavor often described as a blend of pineapple, banana, and strawberry. It is typically eaten fresh with a spoon.

Passion Fruit (Maracujá)

A tropical fruit with a tart, aromatic pulp filled with edible seeds. The purple variety from the islands is used extensively in desserts like mousse and a popular soft drink called ‘Brisa Maracujá’.

Avocado (Abacate)

With its creamy texture and mild, nutty flavor, the avocado has become a significant crop in the Algarve. It’s enjoyed in salads, smoothies, on toast, and in various modern dishes.

Blackberry (Amora)

A common wild berry found along hedgerows and trails across the country. These dark, juicy berries are sweet and slightly tart, perfect for making homemade jams, pies, or eating by the handful.

Walnut (Noz)

An important nut crop in the interior regions. Walnuts are enjoyed on their own, especially around Christmas, and are a key ingredient in many traditional cakes and sweets (‘bolo de noz’).

Mango (Manga)

The warm climates of the Algarve and Madeira allow for the cultivation of delicious, fragrant mangoes. Less fibrous than many imported varieties, they are a sweet, tropical treat enjoyed fresh.

Raspberry (Framboesa)

Increasingly cultivated in Portugal, these delicate berries have a sweet-tart flavor and a soft texture. They are popular in desserts, smoothies, and eaten fresh as a healthy snack.

Blueberry (Mirtilo)

Blueberry cultivation is a growing industry in Portugal. These small, sweet, and antioxidant-rich berries are enjoyed fresh in yogurts and cereals, or baked into muffins and tarts.

Fruits in Other Countries