Fruit in Spain - Your Seasonal Guide
Fruit in Spain – Your Seasonal Guide to Freshness and Flavour: 🥭 Spain is famous for its oranges and lemons, but did you know it’s also home to exotic, nutrient-rich fruits like cherimoya, persimmon, and prickly pear?
Why Eat Seasonal Fruit in Spain:
Knowing what’s in season ensures the best taste, value, and freshness. Use this guide to explore Spanish fruit throughout the year – and discover how to enjoy them at their best.
🍊 Spain’s Fruit Seasons at a Glance
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Spring (March – April)
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Summer (May – September)
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Autumn (October – November)
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Winter (December – February)
Seasons vary slightly depending on region. Warmer southern areas like Andalusia harvest earlier, while cooler inland or northern regions begin later.
🌱 Fruit in Spain a Month-by-Month Guide
January & February
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In season: Almonds, Apples, Avocados, Bananas, Chestnuts, Grapes, Olives, Kiwi, Passion fruit, Pomegranates, Tangerines.
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Highlights: Last persimmons and custard apples of the season. Early strawberries also appear in supermarkets.
March & April
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In season: Grapefruit, Kiwi, Limes, Medlar fruit (Nísperos), Oranges, Pineapple, Strawberries.
May
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In season: Apricots, Cherries, Figs, Gooseberries, Lemons, Mangoes, Medlar fruit, Melons, Nectarines, Oranges, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Prickly pears, Raspberries, Tomatoes, Watermelons, Wild strawberries.
June to September
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In season: All May fruits plus Zucchini/Courgette. Summer brings an abundance of fresh, juicy produce.
October & November
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In season: Cherimoya (Custard Apple), Dates, Jujube, Mandarins, Persimmons, Pomegranates, Quince.
December
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In season: Almonds, Apples, Avocados, Bananas, Cranberries, Chestnuts, Grapes, Olives, Passion fruit, Pomegranates, Tangerines.
🥭 Unusual Fruit in Spain – What They Are & How To Enjoy Them
Chirimoya or Cherimoya also known as Custard Apple
Description:
Cherimoya is a large green tropical fruit with scaly skin, white creamy flesh, and shiny black seeds. It bruises easily and is in season during autumn and winter. When ripe, it yields slightly to gentle pressure, similar to an avocado.
How to Eat:
Slice in half and eat chilled with a spoon, avoiding the black seeds. Do not buy overripe cherimoyas as they lose flavour. They are also ideal for smoothies due to their sweet, custard-like texture.
Nutritional Value:
Cherimoya is 75% water and contains vitamins A and C, potassium, and antioxidants. It supports digestion, may reduce stress, and is said to be good for skin, teeth, and bones. Some believe its properties act similarly to aspirin for mild pain relief.
Fig – Higo
Description:
Small fruit with green skin turning purple or brown when ripe, and a reddish-brown interior. Main season is August to October.
Fig trees:
Smaller ones, like you can order here can also easily be grown indoors so you can enjoy this fruit in any climate
How to Eat:
Eat peeled or unpeeled depending on skin and preference. Enjoy fresh, dried, in jams, with salads or cheese. Eat in moderation due to laxative effect.
Nutritional Value:
Rich in potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, and antioxidant vitamins A, E, K. May help lower blood pressure.
Pomegranates also known as Granada
Description:
Large orange-red fruit with thick skin, packed with bright red seeds (arils). In season October to February. The city of Granada is named after this fruit.
Fun fact: the city of Granada is named after this fruit, and in Greek mythology, it was known as the “fruit of the dead” linked to Adonis.
How to Eat:
Slice off top and bottom, break in half, and scoop out the seeds. Juice can stain. Eat seeds alone, juice them, or add to salads and yoghurt.
Nutritional Value:
High in antioxidants, fibre, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, calcium, potassium. May help reduce blood pressure and prevent plaque buildup on teeth.
Fruit in Spain
Persimmon also known as Caqui fruit, Sharoni or Sharon Fruit
Description:
Tomato-shaped fruit varying from orange to deep red. Rich, tangy, and sweet flavour. In season during autumn.
How to Eat:
Eat like an apple with the skin, or slice and scoop out seeds. When ripe, pulp is sweet like jam. Avoid eating unripe as it can be astringent, be careful not to stain clothes with the juice as it can be difficult to remove.
Nutritional Value:
High in fibre, vitamin C, and may improve metabolism. Deep red varieties tend to have stronger flavour.
Pitahaya also known as pitaya, Dragon Fruit and Strawberry pear.
Description:
Bright red or yellow cactus fruit with green scales and white, pink, or red flesh dotted with black seeds. Recently grown in southern Spain. Season varies.
How to Eat:
Slice in half and scoop out flesh with a spoon, or peel and cut into cubes. Delicious chilled, in salads, or with Greek yoghurt and nuts.
Nutritional Value:
Low in calories, rich in vitamin C, fibre, antioxidants, and hydrating due to high water content.
Watermelon or sandía
Description:
Large round or oval fruit with green rind and pink, red, or yellow flesh. Mostly available late spring to mid-autumn, but often year-round in Spain.
The best way to choose a good watermelon is to tap on its rind with a couple of fingers and listen for a hollow sound, there are even some seedless varieties around which are now becoming popular, look for Reina de Corazones, Apirena, Pepsin and Jack.
Did you know? The watermelon is one of the world’s largest fruits and is actually a berry with a thick, smooth rind and a fleshy interior, they grow on a flowering vine.
How to Eat:
Cut into slices or chunks and serve chilled. Ideal for summer, smoothies, or fresh salads.
- Watermelon Gazpacho Recipe. This is the perfect healthy soup for summer and a refreshing change to a traditional Gazpacho
Nutritional Value:
92% water, high in vitamins A, B, C, contains lycopene (antioxidant), and citrulline, an amino acid beneficial for circulation.
Níspero, (Loquat, Medlar Fruit)
Description:
Small peach-coloured fruit with a delicate taste, grown mainly in spring. Common in the Costa Blanca region.
You will see these being grown in the valley of Callosa d'En Sarrià, just 15 minutes inland from Benidorm, they are our locally produced "superfood".
How to Eat:
Peel skin and remove large seeds (toxic). Eat flesh raw or use in chutneys, jams, or jellies.
Nutritional Value:
Low in calories, rich in vitamins A, C, E, potassium, fibre, and antioxidants. May promote heart health and support metabolism.
Mango
Description:
Sweet tropical fruit with yellow-orange flesh, mostly grown in Málaga and Granada. Main season is August to November.
How to Eat:
Slice mango cheeks off stone, then use a glass rim to separate flesh from skin easily. Eat fresh or in salads and smoothies.
Nutritional Value:
High in vitamin C, A, fibre, and antioxidants, supporting immunity and digestion.
Fruit in Spain
Quince also known as Membrillo
Description:
Yellow fruit similar to an apple but larger and very tart. In season in autumn.
How to Eat:
Best cooked – used for jams, jellies, stews, and served with Manchego cheese. Can be roasted or boiled with cinnamon for dessert.
They also have a very pleasant perfume that can fragrance the house.
Nutritional Value:
High in fibre, antioxidants, and pectin, supporting digestion and weight management.
Prickly Pear (Higo Chumbo, Barbary Fig)
Description:
Fruit of paddle cactus, ranging from green to red in colour. In season summer months.
How to Eat:
Remove glochids (spines) before peeling. Slice off ends, cut skin lengthwise, and peel to reveal inner fruit. Eat chilled or use in smoothies.
Nutritional Value:
Rich in fibre, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants. May help lower cholesterol and aid weight management.
Jujube (Chinese Date, Azoifaifa)
Description:
Small reddish-brown berries, sweet like an apple when fresh. In season autumn.
How to Eat:
Eat fresh as a snack or slice into salads, oatmeal, or yoghurt. Can be dried for teas and jams.
Nutritional Value:
Low in calories, high in fibre, antioxidants, they have been used in ancient Chinese medicine for over 4,000 years to help calm the mind, reduce stress and anxiety, and relax the body.
More Helpful Information
- All about Spanish Wine
- All about Spanish Cheese
- All about Jamon
- All about Spanish Olive Oil
- All about Spanish Chorizo
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