One of the most amazing things that nature has to offer is its fruits.
It is difficult to comprehend how something as flavorful and delicious as fruit came into existence, but in today’s global society, we all have the luxury of trying exotic fruits from all over the world. It is difficult to comprehend how something as flavorful and delicious as fruit came into existence.
But what is it about fruit that makes it so sweet, and which fruits are the sweetest? The sweetness of fruits comes from the natural sugars that they contain, which come in a variety of forms. The fruits that are cultivated in their natural environment and are allowed to mature on the plant itself will have the most flavorful sweetness. Grapes, figs, mangoes, and (rather unexpectedly) jackfruits all rank among the fruits with the greatest concentrations of sugar.
If you are interested in learning more about the fruits that are the sweetest and how that relates to the actual amount of sugar that they contain, then you have come to the perfect place because we have all you need to know right here!
To help you make the most of these inherently wholesome components, we also have some expert advice on how to choose and cook the fruits with the greatest natural sweetness.
What Makes Fruit Sweet?
In this day and age, when nutritionists are encouraging us to cut down on added sweets, many of us are turning to fruit as a delightful source of natural sweetness instead. Fruit is a great alternative since it doesn’t include any added sugars.
One of the healthiest decisions we can make is to replace sugary snacks like candy bars with sweet and juicy fruit.
But why does fruit have such a sweet taste?
Because they are intended to be consumed, fruits have a natural sweetness. The seeds are “distributed” by wild animals, birds, and insects after the fruits are consumed and digested, which is an essential component of the plant’s strategy for ensuring its continued existence.
Therefore, you will discover that plants that depend on this form of seed distribution will be tasty and vividly coloured to encourage animals to eat them in order to disperse their seeds further.
The sweetness and appeal of the fruit improve as it ripens and develops, making it more desirable to eat.
If you’ve ever had an unripe banana, you know that it has a gritty consistency and almost no sweetness at all. If you’ve never tried one, you should. In comparison, a ripe banana has a silky feel, and its natural sweetness is delectable and wonderful.
When the fruit ripens, the starches found inside the fruit’s flesh are converted into sugars as a natural byproduct of the process. In order for this to take place, the vast majority of fruits need heat and sunshine; however, some fruits, such as citrus fruits, may ripen during the colder months of the year.
Sugars are what give fruits their sweet taste, but in recent years, researchers have shown that other flavour chemicals may also contribute to the perception of sweetness. Sugars are what give fruits their sweetness.
This indicates that it is possible to find a type of fruit with lower amounts of sugar that really tastes sweeter than one with higher levels of sugar.
It is essential to keep in mind that we are discussing fresh fruits at this time; the drying process is used on many fruits since it makes them more convenient to preserve for an extended period of time.
Because the natural sugars in dried fruits are concentrated to a greater degree, they have a strong sweetness. When compared with its fresh equivalent, any fruit that has been dried contains a much higher amount of sugar on a gram-for-gram basis.
Why Are There Variations in the Sweetness of Different Fruits?
Fruits have varying degrees of sweetness according to the quantity of naturally occurring sugar that they contain as well as the kind of sugar that they contain.
If a fruit, for instance, has a higher percentage of fructose than sucrose, then it will have a sweeter flavour than a fruit that has primarily sucrose.
The quantity of sugar that we are able to taste might also be affected by the amount of acidity that is present in the fruit. This is especially true of citrus fruits, which have a high natural sugar content that is balanced off by the sourness of their juice. Citrus fruits have a lot of natural sweetness.
Even within the same type of fruit, there may be significant differences in sweetness due to the interaction of the fruit with its environment.
For every kind of fruit, there is a very particular set of environmental parameters that have to be satisfied before the fruit can achieve its full potential for sweetness.
Even minute changes in temperature, humidity, and the amount of sunshine that reaches a fruit’s surface may have a significant impact on its natural sugar content.
The sweetness of fruit may also be affected by the time of year when it is picked. Because they are easier to travel and keep for a longer period of time, many fruits are picked before they have reached their full maturity.
These fruits will develop gradually as they make their way from the farm to the grocery store, but by the time they arrive, they won’t have the same level of sweetness as fruits that are left to mature on the plant.
How to Select the Fruits That Are the Sweetest
If you want to ensure that your fruit bowl is stocked with the tastiest fruits, we have some helpful hints that will guide you in selecting the very finest fruit for your fruit bowl.
To begin, you should make an effort to purchase only fruits that are currently in season. This indicates that they were cultivated and harvested at the time of year in which they are naturally suited for growth, without the use of any supplemental sources of artificial light or heat.
If you compare the flavour of a strawberry grown on a nearby farm in the summer to one that was imported from another country and consumed in the midst of winter, you will undoubtedly be able to tell the difference.
The sweetness of fruit may also be affected by factors such as how far it has been transported before being consumed. Because it has to travel such a small distance from the plant or tree to the market, fruit that is cultivated locally will already be fully ripe when it is purchased.
When fruit is imported, there is a greater chance that it was picked before it was quite ripe, and it will have been transported and stored in cold environments for a number of days.
And third, there are unique kinds of each type of fruit that are sweeter than others. This is true even within the same type of fruit.
Consider apples; there are types that are ideal for cooking that is really sour, as well as those that are ideal for eating and including the exquisite Pink Lady.
Which Fruits Are the Sweetest and Why?
Are you ready, now that your tastes have been teased, to learn about the fruit kinds that have the most natural sweetness? Let’s have a look at our ranking of the fruits that top our list as the sweetest ones available.
It is important to keep in mind that products are graded according to the amount of sugar they contain, not according to how sweet they could taste.
| Rank | Fruit | Total Sugars (Per 100g Serving) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackfruits | 19.08g |
| 2 | Grapes | 16g |
| 3 | Figs | 16g |
| 4 | Mangos | 14g |
| 5 | Pomegranates | 14g |
| 6 | Sweet Cherries | 12.82g |
| 7 | Bananas | 12g |
| 8 | Passion Fruits | 11g |
| 9 | Pineapples | 10g |
| 10 | Apples | 10g |
| 11 | Pears | 10g |
| 12 | Plums | 10g |
| 13 | Blueberries | 9.96g |
| 14 | Kiwis | 9g |
| 15 | Apricots | 9g |
| 16 | Oranges | 9g |
| 17 | Sour Cherries | 8.49g |
| 18 | Peaches & Nectarines | 8.1g |
| 19 | Melons | 8g |
| 20 | Grapefruits | 7g |
| 21 | Strawberries | 4.9g |
| 22 | Blackberries | 4.9g |
| 23 | Raspberries | 4.4g |
| 24 | Starfruits | 4g |
1. Jackfruits
Total sugars per 100g serving: 19.08g
Before these last several years, none of us was familiar with jackfruit, but today it appears to be popping up everywhere!
In spite of this, jackfruit is most often used in savoury preparations as opposed to sweet ones, which may come as a surprise given the fruit’s high concentration of sugar.
The versatility of jackfruit as a plant-based alternative to meat in a wide variety of vegan meals is largely responsible for its meteoric growth in popularity in recent years. If you haven’t already, you definitely should give the jackfruit version of pulled pork a go!
Jackfruit is often consumed while it is unripe because this allows the starches in the fruit to be converted into sugar before it is used as a replacement for meat. On the other hand, ripe jackfruit has a flavour that is much more reminiscent of a combination of mango and pineapple.
2. Grapes
Total sugars per 100g serving: 16g
You know how when you have a bunch of grapes in the fruit bowl and you simply can’t stop munching on them? Well, it’s probably owing to the fact that grapes have a very powerful sweetness!
The amount of sugars contained in grapes varies from variation to variety, although grapes of the highest quality are consistently ranked among the sweetest fruits available.
Grapes have a tender and juicy consistency on the inside of thin and edible skin, and because of their diminutive size, you can easily get one or two full grapes into your mouth at the same time.
In general, red grapes have a sweeter flavour than their green counterparts, and they also have a greater concentration of antioxidants in addition to other beneficial nutrients. Grapes are a fantastic alternative to sugary snacks due to their low-calorie count as well as their sweetness.
3. Figs
Total sugars per 100g serving: 16g
It may come as a surprise to you that figs rank so highly on the list of fruits with the highest level of sweetness; these delightful little morsels are so sweet that eating them is comparable to eating honey or fruit jam.
In point of fact, figs were used in ancient times as a sweetener, long before sugar became more widely available.
The sugars in figs are in the form of fructose, which has a highly sweet taste to our tongues and is the reason why figs have such a deliciously sweet flavour. They also have a very low acidic taste profile, which lets the natural sweetness of the fruit come through unapologetically.
4. Mangos
Total sugars per 100g serving: 14g
The flesh of a mango is rich, pulpy, and bursting with the natural sugars that are found in the fruit.
These exotic fruits have a strong flowery taste and scent, much like a mixture of papaya, pineapple, and peach.
Before slicing into a mango, you should wait until the fruit has reached its peak ripeness so that you may enjoy the fruit’s full potential for sweetness. Give the skin a gentle squeeze with your thumb to see whether it passes the test; it ought to give just a little.
Because mangoes mature quickly in a fruit bowl, you might consider letting your fruit sit there for an additional day or two if it is not quite ready to be eaten.
5. Pomegranates
Total sugars per 100g serving: 14g
Who would have guessed that those precious-looking seeds within pomegranates would contain such a significant amount of sugar?
To consume a pomegranate, one must first carefully remove each of the fruit’s many small seeds before eating it. This may be a laborious and time-consuming process.
Despite this, it is well worth the trouble to get them since each red seed has a flavour that is very sweet and reminiscent of a combination of cranberry and strawberry. The seeds may be consumed in their whole, including the outer, fleshy part as well as the inner, more abrasive pip.
6. Sweet Cherries
Total sugars per 100g serving: 12.82g
Cherries that are sweet have a unique and powerful taste, and their sweetness is hard to compare to that of any other fruit.
Cherries have flesh that is supple and delicious, and the colour of their flesh is a rich red. Because of this, they have a robust flavour that is reminiscent of a combination of blackberries, raspberries, and plums.
Because of their little size and the presence of a pit inside each one, eating cherries may be a bit of a challenge. The taste and sweetness, on the other hand, are absolutely commensurate with the labour!
In addition to this, they are jam-packed with a wide variety of vitamins and antioxidants, making them an excellent source of nutrients.
7. Bananas
Total sugars per 100g serving: 12g
The thick flesh of a banana contains a lot of starch, which, when the fruit ripens, is transformed into sugars. Although your taste sensations may not indicate that bananas are one of the sweetest fruits, they are.
Bananas that have reached maturity have a scrumptious taste that is reminiscent of honey and vanilla. The consistency is silky and decadent, and a single banana may serve as the basis for a satisfying and healthful mid-afternoon snack all by itself.
Bananas, with their high concentration of sugar, are an excellent choice for a post-workout snack as well as a pick-me-up when you start to feel sluggish in the middle of the day at the office.
8. Passion Fruits
Total sugars per 100g serving: 11g
Passion fruits are typically around the size of avocados and have rough skin surrounding a more tender, seed-filled interior.
These seeds are encased in a jelly-like material that is incredibly sweet and brimming with taste, and it surrounds them on all sides.
This tender pulp, which is packed with seeds, is often scooped out and eaten with a spoon; however, we also really like placing it on top of vanilla ice cream.
Ripe passion fruit has a taste that is rich in sweetness and complexity, with undertones of pineapple, melon, and citrus. Examining the skin of passion fruit is the best way to determine whether or not it is ready to be eaten. The skin should have some wrinkles and should yield slightly when squeezed with a finger.
9. Pineapples
Total sugars per 100g serving: 10g
Pineapples are a fruit that fascinates people because of their varying degrees of sweetness.
They have a high concentration of sugar that occurs naturally, but the juice is also highly acidic. These levels of acidity provide a counterweight to the sugars, resulting in a taste that is both sweet and sour.
The meat of a pineapple is located inside a thick outer skin, which has to be peeled off and thrown away before consumption. Pineapples have a texture that is both crisp and crunchy, as well as juicy and pleasant. The taste is fragrant and tropical, with a hint of tangy citrus in the background.
10. Apples
Total sugars per 100g serving: 10g
The proverb states that eating an apple every day will keep the doctor away.
One apple is considered one serving of fruit, and the crisp, crunchy flesh of this fruit is loaded with naturally occurring sugars. A single apple is considered one piece of fruit.
There is some difference in the total amount of sugar that is contained inside each apple variety. Apples bred specifically for consumption, such as the Pink Lady and Gala kinds, have a flavour profile that is noticeably sweeter.
Apples are one of the few fruits that may be enjoyed throughout the year due to their ability to resist spoilage and to be transported without difficulty.
11. Pears
Total sugars per 100g serving: 10g
Pears have large quantities of natural sugars, but the sweetness of these sugars is often only detectable after the fruit has reached its full maturity.
Pears that have not fully ripened have a crunchier consistency, but when they are fully ripe, they become softer and have an intensely sweet flavour.
The flavour of pears has been described as having floral undertones and a scent similar to that of apples. It is possible to eat both the fruit’s skin and its meat, but you should avoid eating the tough centre core and the seeds.
12. Plums
Total sugars per 100g serving: 10g
When compared to the other stone fruits on our list, plums have comparatively modest quantities of sugar in their composition.
These little purple fruits have tender flesh that has a taste that is just slightly fruity. The skin has a taste that is somewhat acidic and solid, making it simple to bite into, and it gives a wonderful contrast to the sweetness of the meat.
Plums that have been left to mature on the tree until the flesh becomes tender and juicy have the greatest potential for sweetness. Plums that are picked when they are underripe may be allowed to mature at home, but this will cause them to lose part of their sweetness and taste.
13. Blueberries
Total sugars per 100g serving: 9.96g
Blueberries are a kind of berry that are typically rather tiny yet are regarded as a “superfood” due to the abundance of health advantages that they provide.
As a result of the high quantities of immune-enhancing antioxidants that they contain, they may also assist in the maintenance of a healthy heart and the regulation of blood pressure.
Blueberries are not excessively sweet and have a somewhat sour acidic tang that works well with the natural sugars in them to create a balanced flavour profile. Raw or cooked, a handful of blueberries makes for a delicious and nutritious snack option that can be enjoyed in any form.
14. Kiwis
Total sugars per 100g serving: 9g
The kiwi fruit, like many other fruits, has far greater concentrations of sugar than one would anticipate given its appearance.
The crisp, green flesh of kiwis has a zesty citrus taste that strikes the ideal balance with the fruit’s high sugar content, resulting in a flavour that is both zingy and refreshing.
Because eating the kiwi fruit’s tender skin is in no way pleasurable, the skin is often removed before eating the fruit’s meat, which is located below. All of the small black seeds that are around the edible white core that may be found in the middle of the apple can be eaten.
15. Apricots (plural)
Total sugars per 100g serving: 9g
Apricots are sometimes forgotten while we are selecting fruit to put in our fruit bowls; nevertheless, this should not be the case since these small orange-coloured fruits are deserving of greater consideration.
The flesh of an apricot is thicker and has a little chewier texture than the flesh of a peach, despite the fact that both fruits seem to be miniature versions of each other.
Apricots have a taste that is a little sour and tangy, but they also contain a sufficient amount of sugar to provide a modest boost to one’s energy levels. Due to the fact that fresh apricots do not keep very well, it is not always possible to purchase them. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why dried apricots are in such high demand.
16. Oranges
Total sugars per 100g serving: 9g
Oranges, which are quite popular, come in at number one on our list and are the tastiest of all the citrus fruits.
There are many citrus fruits that are just too tart and tangy to enjoy on their own, but there is nothing quite like sinking your teeth into a juicy orange!
Oranges are a kind of fruit that are segmented and have a strong skin that surrounds them. Each individual piece has a luscious sweetness and a supple, juicy consistency. Some oranges have tough seeds in them that are not meant to be eaten.
17. Sweet and Sour Cherries
Total sugars per 100g serving: 8.49g
The name alone gives away the fact that sour cherries have a lower sugar content than their sweet siblings. However, they do contain a significant amount of sugar, which is hidden from the majority of consumers.
It is not the absence of sugar in some cherries that contributes to their sour taste, but rather the high amounts of acidity that are present in this fruit.
When cooked, the acid and sugar in sour cherries combine to provide the robust taste that we all know and love.
18. Peaches and Nectarines and Other Fruits
Total sugars per 100g serving: 8.1g
Nectarines and peaches are closely related fruits that share many characteristics, including taste, texture, and amount of sugar in their flesh.
Both of these fruits are classified as stone fruits, which means that they have a huge, inedible pit or stone in the middle of their fleshy, outer layers. Peaches often have a little fuzzy texture on their skin, in contrast to nectarines, which have smooth surfaces.
There is a widespread practice of selling unripe peaches and nectarines, while the flesh is still crisp and solid. They need to be let to mature until they are just slightly tender and very juicy for the sugar levels to reach their optimum potential.
19. Melons
Total sugars per 100g serving: 8g
There is nothing that can compare to the flavour of a melon that has been ripened in the sun and just picked!
These enormous fruits are cultivated on vines, where they savour every last bit of sunlight to develop a delectably sweet taste.
The kind of melon will have a significant impact on the amount of sugar that is contained inside its fruits.
The flesh of cantaloupes and honeydew melons is thick and white, and it has a high concentration of sugar, whereas the flesh of watermelons is more tender and contains a lower concentration of sugar.
20. Grapefruits
Total sugars per 100g serving: 7g
How did grapefruits get on a list of the sweetest fruits when many of us have a hard time eating them without adding additional sweetness in the form of sugar, syrup, or honey? Grapefruits are notoriously difficult to eat on their own.
Grapefruit is a kind of citrus fruit that, despite the fact that it has a sour flavour, is really rather high in sugar content. The high levels of acidity are the source of the tart and sour taste profile.
Because the natural sugars are boosted when the grapefruit is being cooked, grilled or broiled grapefruit tastes sweeter than grapefruit that has been eaten raw.
21. Strawberries
Total sugars per 100g serving: 4.9g
It’s possible that the position of strawberries on this list will come as a surprise to you. However, this is not because of a lack of sweetness in their taste; rather, it is owing to the fact that they contain a minimal amount of sugar.
It’s possible that you’ve observed that the flavour of immature strawberries is quite different from the flavour of ripe strawberries.
Strawberries, like many other fruits, have a tendency to get sweeter as they mature. This is due to the fact that when strawberries develop, the amount of sugar they contain increases, while the amount of acidity they contain decreases.
Strawberries have a high sugar content but also a high acidity level, which is what sets them different from other fruits and makes them such a pleasantly sweet treat for those who are watching their sugar intake.
22. Blackberries
Total sugars per 100g serving: 4.9g
Because they need a great deal of natural sunlight to bring out their inherent sugars, the level of sweetness found in blackberries may vary greatly from one batch to the next.
Many of the blackberries that are sold in shops have been artificially ripened in glasshouses, and as a result, their taste does not compare to that of blackberries that are produced on farms.
However, if you can get your hands on any blackberries of excellent quality, you will be blown away by the flavour—it is so sweet and juicy! Blackberries have a flavour that resembles a combination of raspberries and plums. They also have an extraordinary richness that is sure to excite your taste buds.
23. Raspberries
Total sugars per 100g serving: 4.4g
Raspberries are one of those fruits that taste like summer when they are freshly picked off the bush.
Raspberries that have been cultivated locally over the summer months will have the chance to mature naturally in the sun, and as a result, they will have the greatest potential for sweetness.
Raspberries are little fruits that are quite juicy and may be consumed in their whole. They have a flavour that is comparable to strawberries, but their fragrance is much more reminiscent of flowers.
24. Starfruits
Total sugars per 100g serving: 4g
The starfruit, also known as the carambola, is a kind of fruit that is native to tropical regions and has a distinctly ridged look.
The yellow fruit has an oval form, and when it is cut, it resembles a star. Because of this, it is often used as a garnish or decoration.
Even the waxy skin of the fruit may be eaten together with the rest of the fruit.
The flesh of the starfruit is comparable to that of a grape in that it is both luscious and hard. It has a flavour that is a cross between green grape, pear, and orange, and it has a somewhat sour aftertaste.