People learn about fruits in alphabetical order for so many different reasons. Maybe your kid has just started school and you want to teach them how to learn about fruits starting with the letter A, or maybe you just want to broaden your own vocabulary and take it a step further by getting familiar with the different fruits and vegetables that start with the letter A.
Whatever it is that you’re looking for, be rest assured that you’re going to find just that as we take you through the various fruits and vegetables starting with the letter A. Stay with us.
Fruits
Amanatsu
Amanatsu is actually a type of orange popular in Japan. It possesses a citrus taste and is very similar to oranges, even in looks. The size is usually like that of a grapefruit and they are quite aromatic and sour in taste.
The process of getting your amanatsu ready for eating is quite simple as it is very easy to peel and enjoy in its fresh state just as it is. Apart from eating the fruit fresh, you can also use it to make jams and jellies.
This fruit’s shelf life isn’t that long, but it is likely to last up to a few days if you store it in the fridge.
How to use the amanatsu
You can turn the amanatsu into a juice and actually use it as a refreshing beverage. It can be used for cocktails and wines. The amanatsu can also be used in making ice creams.
The health benefits of the amanatsu
The amanatsu orange possesses vitamin C that helps protect your body cells from damage and helps your body easily recuperate after an injury by producing collagen, which is a protein that aids healing after an injury.
Where to buy them
The amanatsu fruit is native to Japan and, as it stands, there is no accurate count of gardeners or farmers that plant this citrus fruit, so the best bet is to check grocery stores near you like Walmart and Costco. You can also check the fruit on online marketing platforms if you can’t find them in grocery stores.
Akebi fruit
Akebi fruits are purple when they turn ripe, and their shapes are similar to those of an egg plant. It normally ticks open when it becomes ripe and reveals the flesh and seeds of the fruit. This fruit’s flesh gives off a jelly-like sweet taste. Some people prefer eating it with a spoon, while some prefer eating it directly from the rind.
The coolest part about the fruit that I personally like is that the seeds are safe and edible. If you’d like to eat them along with the fruit, you can still decide to select them with your tongue and spit them out, just like it is done with watermelon seeds.
This fruit naturally grows in Japan, where they actually have a different way of eating altogether. They put different fillings inside the thick skin and fry it.
How you might want to enjoy the akebi fruit depends solely on you. The only issue is, it might not be so easy to get as this fruit is native to Japan and not really seen much outside the country.
How to use the akebi fruit.
You can decide to enjoy your akebi fruit raw as it comes or you can take it a bit to the next level and make it into an ice cream or a drink. You can also put your akebi fruit in a salad or fry the skin for eating.
The health benefits of the akebi fruit
Akebi is a very good source of vitamin C, which contains antioxidant compounds that prevent environmental stressors from harming the body. It also contains zinc and vitamin B6, which are known for strengthening the immune system.
Where to get them
Akebi are more in surplus in Japan compared to other countries, so your best bet to find one is to confirm with your grocery store if they stock them or check online grocery platforms if it’s possible for you to find one.
Amaou strawberry
The origin of the amaou strawberry can be traced to Japan. The strawberry is known for its deep reddish color, and it’s said to be even more sweet and even more juicy if put in comparison with the normal green strawberries in America. The amaou strawberry isn’t quite rampant and it’s scarce to purchase, hence a lot of value is placed on it. You find out that the price is a little bit high when you finally find them because of their scarce nature.
Most people prefer eating or enjoying their amaou strawberries fresh, starting from the top and eating them all the way down. You can also decide to use it in a fruit salad, a parfait, or a smoothie. It all depends on you and how you’d like to enjoy the delicious fruit.
How to use amaou strawberries
Strawberries are naturally favorable; you can decide to eat them raw just like they are, place them in a fruit salad, make an ice cream out of them or even turn them into a smoothie. The choice is yours to make depending on how you want it.
The health benefits amaou
Amaou strawberries contain a good amount of vitamin C in their compound that possesses antioxidants that help increase collagen development in the body and also boost the immune system. Amaou strawberries also contain iron, fiber, potassium, zinc, and vitamins A and K.
Where to buy them
Amaou strawberries can be found in grocery stores and supermarkets with a good reputation for stocking them. Stores like Walmart and Costco are likely to have them in stock. Amazon is another great online store where you can get your berries.
Ambarella
Ambarella’s have a traceable origin to Malaysia. The fruits are small in size and
It turns from green to yellow when ripe. In it’s fully ripe state, the ambarella is said to be fibrous and turn sour in taste. The fruit in its fresh stage possesses a very nice sour taste that so many people attest to liking. However, the same can not be said when the fruit’s shelf life is about to come to an end.
Some people argue that the sour taste of the ambarella means no taste at all, hence they regard it as a tasteless sour fruit. We wouldn’t know how tasteless it really is until you give it a try and conclude the debate once and for all, lol.
The ambarella, apart from being a fruit, can also be used for spices after it is peeled and pitted. Its seasoning can be sprayed on fish sauce, chili powder, etc.
How to use Ambarella
Ambarella can be baked into sweet chips. You can also use the unripe ambarella to make very nice jellies and pickles. They can also be useful in making soups and sauces. Ambarella leaves are a common delicacy for some people as they can be eaten just as they are.
Health benefits of ambarella
Ambarella possesses a group of antioxidants called cardiac glycosides that are known for aiding and improving heart health. The fruit also contains compounds that boost the immune system, cure digestive problems, and aid better eyesight.
Where to get them
Ambarella can be gotten from a farmer or gardener that does retail. This is if you really want your ambarella in a fresh state. However, the fruit can still be found in grocery stores and supermarkets across the states. It is also available on online marketing platforms that you can easily order.
Ambrosia melon
The origins of the ambrosia melon are not quite certain. The fruit actually looks similar to cantaloupes, even if they’re generally smaller in size compared to them. Well, not only in size, the ambrosia melon is said to be better tasting and juicier compared to the cantaloupe.
The smell of the ambrosia can be likened to a fine and nice melon scent . The fruit has a sandy-looking color on its outer rind, while it turns net-like in color when the fruit turns ripe.
How to use ambrosia melon
Ambrosia melons can be used, added to your fruit salad, or eaten just as they are in their natural fresh state. You can also enjoy it by cutting it into halves and topping each half with creamy dips, yogurt, etc. Melon can be enjoyed in a variety of ways, and you can even be creative and come up with your own way to enjoy it.
The health benefits of ambrosia melon
Ambrosia melons contain compounds that have enough fiber in their possession. These fibers regulate the digestive tract. Potassium is also present in the melon, which helps the fluid levels within your body get balanced, while the vitamin C in it helps to strengthen your body.
Where to buy them
You can buy and purchase an ambrosia melon in grocery stores like Walmart and Costco. You can also order it online and get it delivered to your house on Amazon.
Vegetables
Amaranth leaves
Amaranth is considered one of the oldest plants ever, and it’s because it’s said to have been in use for about 80,000 years. So many people refer to the plant as a grain, but if you look at it from a technical point of view, you’ll find out it is not really a grain.
The plant belongs to the same botanical family as spinach, chard, and beets. One of the cool facts about amaranth is it’s adaptability and ability to resist disease. The plant serves as a multipurpose solution as the seeds, sprouts, and leaves are all edible. It is either used for its culinary benefit or as a medicinal herb.
How to use amaranth leaves
The amaranth leaves are one of the best leaves to use for cooking. They are used for culinary purposes all over the world. You can stir fry your amaranth with ginger. You can use amaranth leaves as a strong vegetable source in your soup as well. The leaves are very nutritious and you can not go wrong by using them.
Health benefits of amaranth leaves
Amaranth contains compounds that are very rich in antioxidants, like gallic acid and vanillic acid. Antioxidants are known to battle and fight stressors and radicals that cause abnormal cell activity in your body. This helps to reduce blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, preventing premature aging and heart problems in the process.
Where to buy them
Amaranth leaves are not your typical everyday leaves that you can easily hop into a grocery store and find stocked. You might not be able to get them there some times. It’s best to contact your local farmers and gardeners and confirm with them if they also plant amaranth leaves.
However, before concluding that it might not be in grocery stores around you, go ahead and check first. If all your bids to find the leaves seem abortive, the best thing to do at such a point is to check online grocery shops and see if you can order them online.
Asparagus
The asparagus plant is a vegetable, just like normal green vegetables, but it stands out with its unique look. It has long pointy spears that are known to be steamed, roasted, and grilled. Asparagus is very popular in California and Michigan as so many know it as the vegetable that sprouts during spring time. The asparagus flavor is what sets it apart the most when compared to other vegetables. Its seasonal state also contributes to its costly price.
How to use asparagus
Asparagus gives that extra magic to your kitchen work. You can decide to steam, roast, sauté, or grill it. It is common too to just take it raw as it is without having to add any additional ingredients, as it is still good to be eaten even without cooking. You can also put your asparagus into your salads by shaving it into a ribbon-like manner using a vegetable peeler and adding it to your salad.
The health benefits of asparagus
Asparagus is a good container of fiber. Fiber is a compound that is very effective in our digestive health. A diet based on fiber is likely to also reduce the chances of high blood pressure or heart disease. Also, asparagus possesses antioxidant compounds that slow down premature aging and allow for a more healthy pattern of aging.
Where to get them
Asparagus can be gotten in super markets and grocery stores nationwide and statewide, so it isn’t such a scary vegetable. Even though it is seasonal, the United States imports them from China, Mexico, and other countries to ensure they are available to purchase in the country.
Acorn squash
Acorn squash belongs to the cucurbitaceor plant family. The plant is famous for its acorn shape, which comes in different varieties of color, mostly dark green and white. However, you’re likely to see more of the dark green variant as this is the most commonly grown type. The vegetable has a nutty orange flesh taste.
and are known to be grown and cultivated in so many countries around the world. Acorn squash is generally considered a simple plant to grow and can last for up to a month if properly stored and cured after harvesting.
How to use acorn squash
The flavored buttery taste of acorn squash is capable of delivering a wonderful sweet taste to your dishes, especially soup. You can roast, get it mashed, or puree it in your soup. You can also use acorn squash to make a spicy squash salad added with a ginger lime dressing. Whatever it is you decide to use your acorn for, you can tell that it is worth it being in that recipe!
The health benefits of acorn squash
Acorn squash has a lot of nutritional benefits. It is high in carbohydrates and equally rich in so many compounds that contain vitamins and minerals that aid your health in so many ways. The orange-like vegetable is rich in vitamins C, A, and B. It also has potassium compounds within it.
Where to get them
You can get your acorn squash from gardens and farms. Contact any of these in your locality to easily get them. Grocery stores known for their restocking strength can also have them in stock; you just have to go look for them.
Adzuki beans
Adzuki beans are small beans whose origin can be traced to East Asia. The beans are said to be very common in Japan even though they are a famous vegetable in so many countries because of exportation. The popular name “adzuki” was derived from the Japanese language.
You’ll most often find these beans primarily red in color, but there are other variations too, like black and white. Because of the sweetness contained in these beans, they are mainly used for culinary purposes even though they still have their health benefits too.
Now to use adzuki beans
Adzuki, or adzuki beans, are highly delicious and taste really sweet, hence so many people opt to make them a necessary ingredient in the kitchen. You can use it to make red bean dessert, black bean brownies or just cook it alone as a meal with added ingredients like you would cook your normal bean.
The health benefits of adzuki beans
Adzuki beans are very rich in nutrients such as manganese, protein, and fiber. They help aid weight loss in fat or obese people. It helps make digestion easier and faster, and it is also said to be very effective in lowering blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.
Where to get adzuki beans
Adzuki beans can be gotten from farmers and gardeners, or from grocery shops and supermarkets. Even though there’s no detailed data on how many people in the United States plant the beans, it is certain that the beans are not in scarcity as a lot of importation of these beans is done from time to time to avoid shortages.
Ambada
Ambada, also known as sorrel or gongura leaves, is a popular plant known in most countries in the world for its medicinal and health benefits. When I say medicinal and health benefits, this is in no way trying to limit the culinary aspects of the herb. It is also rich in flavor and adds great taste to dishes.
How to use ambada
Gongura leaves are popular for the taste they give in dishes. You can pick and slice the leaves to use them for making soup.
The health benefits of ambada
The gongura leaves are known for their healthy active compounds that aid in curing hypertension by lowering the blood pressure. It is also very effective in treating type 2 diabetes in people suffering from the ailment. Also, the antioxidants that are present in ambada can prevent cancer by blocking and fighting the stressors and cells that lead to cancer development.
Where to get them
You can get your gongura plants in grocery stores and supermarkets. You can also order them online via Amazon.
Aonori
Aonori, also known as sea cabbage or green laver, is a vegetable plant cultivated for its culinary and health benefits. It generally comes in either a dried or powdered form. It actually possesses a great flavor and gives dishes a very good taste.
How to use Aonori
You can use aonori as a garnish on your dishes by just sprinkling it on top of them. You can also use it as a form of seasoning for soups and salads, and you can also stir fry it.
The health benefits aonori
Aonori serves as a very good source of fiber, which helps a lot in digestion and controlling blood pressure and general cholesterol levels in our body systems. The plant is also said to possess compounds that contain Omega 3 fatty acids that help regulate good and bad cholesterol.
Where to get them?
Aonori is a local Japanese seaweed, but it is possible that you can find them on online grocery shopping platforms to easily import, or confirm from any of the grocery stores around you if they are in stock.