Eating fruits that are high in antioxidants can provide many health benefits. Antioxidants help protect your cells from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can accumulate in your body and contribute to conditions like heart disease, cancer, and cognitive decline.
To get you thinking about antioxidant-rich fruits, here are 63 fun riddles along with the answers. See how many you can get right!
Riddles about berries
Strawberries
Riddle: I’m red and seedy, delicious and sweet, pick me in summer for a tasty treat. What am I?
Answer: Strawberry
Blueberries
Riddle: I’m a small, round, purple fruit that stains fingers and lips. You can find me fresh or dried in muffins and cereal. What am I?
Answer: Blueberry
Blackberries
Riddle: Plump, dark, and juicy is what I am. I grow on a prickly vine; be careful not to jam. What am I?
Answer: Blackberry
Raspberries
Riddle: I’m a delicate berry that’s hollow inside, I’m red when I’m ripe but first start out white. You use me for jams, desserts and more, picked from a bush with thorns by the score. What am I?
Answer: Raspberry
Cranberries
Riddle: I’m quite tart and very red, made into sauce for your Thanksgiving spread. I grow in bogs out in the wet, bobbing in water is where I’m often set. What am I?
Answer: Cranberry
Goji berries
Riddle: I come from a Chinese plant and have tons of Vitamin C. You can eat me raw or drink me as tea. My nutrients help give your immune system a boost. What crimson berry am I?
Answer: Goji berry
Acai berries
Riddle: Grown in the rainforests of South America on a tall, slender palm. Dark purple richness loaded with antioxidants to keep you calm. Pronounced ah-sigh-EE, I’m full of nutrition, so drink me up for a healthy fruit infusion. What am I?
Answer: Acai berry
Riddles about stone fruits
Plums
Riddle: Smooth-skinned oval fruit, I come in yellow, red or deep purple hues. Sweet and juicy when I’m fresh picked, for jams and desserts I’m often picked. What am I?
Answer: Plum
Peaches
Riddle: Fuzzy skin in yellow or white, my sweet juicy flesh is a summer delight. I’m often found in cobblers, pies and ice cream galore, take a guess what stone fruit I am before looking at more.
Answer: Peach
Nectarines
Riddle: I look like a bald peach with smooth skin, no fuzz or hair to be seen. I’m a little bit firmer but just as sweet, take a bite to find out – I’m quite a treat!
Answer: Nectarine
Cherries
Riddle: I’m a red, pink or black little fruit, with a single hard pit inside to boot. On top I have a stem you have to remove, before you enjoy my sweet and slightly tart juice.
Answer: Cherry
Apricots
Riddle: My orange flesh is sweet and tart, protected by thin, velvety skin and a big center pit. You can eat me fresh or make me into jam. What sunshine-colored stone fruit am I?
Answer: Apricot
Riddles about tropical and exotic fruits
Pineapple
Riddle: I have a prickly coat full of spikes, but inside I am sweet, golden and ripe. Cut me into rings to top your ham and pizza, or enjoy my tropical flavor in juice form as well. What am I?
Answer: Pineapple
Mango
Riddle: Exotic oval shaped fruit with smooth, bright skin. I can be green, yellow or red when I’m picked. Inside orange flesh is sweet and delicious. What tropical fruit am I?
Answer: Mango
Papaya
Riddle: Grown in tropical regions, I’m orange or pink inside when ripe. My sweet and mildly tart flesh surrounds many small, black seeds. You often find me in fruit salad or blended into smoothies. What am I?
Answer: Papaya
Kiwi
Riddle: Brown fuzzy skin with bright green flesh inside. Tart and sweet with tiny black seeds throughout. Originally from New Zealand but now grown globally. What nutritious fruit am I?
Answer: Kiwi
Guava
Riddle: Creamy pink flesh with edible seeds inside, I grow in warm climates and have bumpy green skin when ripe. You can eat me raw but I’m also used in juices, desserts and teas. What tropical fruit am I?
Answer: Guava
Dragon fruit
Riddle: With colorful, scaly looking skin in pink or yellow tones. My inside flesh is dotted with tiny black seeds. Unique and tropical – take a guess what I might be.
Answer: Dragon fruit
Passion fruit
Riddle: I’m an oval shaped tropical fruit with a tough, smooth, purple rind. My inner flesh surrounds delicious seeds and juice. A unique, exotic treat you can scoop out my insides to eat.
Answer: Passion fruit
Lychee
Riddle: Inside my rough, red leathery peel is a juicy, creamy white flesh. Originating in Southern China, I’m quite the exotic treat. Eat me fresh or enjoy my sweet flavor in cool drinks or desserts.
Answer: Lychee
Riddles about melons
Watermelon
Riddle: Green rind with dark green stripes, red juicy insides are my delight. You eat me in wedges, chilled on hot days. What big melon quenches your thirst in the tastiest way?
Answer: Watermelon
Honeydew
Riddle: Smooth pale green outside, with juicy sweet green flesh inside. I’m fragrant and melon-y, perfect for fruit salad. What am I?
Answer: Honeydew melon
Cantaloupe
Riddle: Orange flesh that’s juicy and sweet, with netted skin that’s gray-green to eat. Packed with nutrients like vitamins A and C. Take a guess what fragrant melon I might be.
Answer: Cantaloupe
Riddles about citrus fruits
Oranges
Riddle: My ripe flesh is sweet and delicious segmented into juicy slices. I’m spherical in shape with thick orange colored peel. Squeezed to make juice or eaten raw, no part of me goes to waste.
Answer: Orange
Grapefruits
Riddle: I’m bigger than an orange with yellow skin that’s thick. My flesh can be pink, red or white with a tart, acidic kick. Cut me in half and eat me with a spoon. What large citrus am I?
Answer: Grapefruit
Lemons
Riddle: Long and oval shaped with bright yellow peel, my sour juice and zest add flavor you can feel. Squeeze me for lemonade or over fish and slaws. A cooking staple in most kitchens, I help you digest after meals.
Answer: Lemon
Limes
Riddle: Like a small green lemon but with thinner skin, my juice adds a tangy zest that livens food within. Key for guacamole, fish tacos and the like, a hint of my flavor makes your taste buds spike.
Answer: Lime
Riddles about pome fruits
Apples
Riddle: Red, green or yellow, crispy and sweet. I’m delicious in pies or just a fun healthy treat. Pick me from an orchard in the crisp fall air. What fruit legend says kept the doctor away?
Answer: Apple
Pears
Riddle: I’m shaped like an apple but usually green or brown. When ripe my flesh is juicy, sweet and tender down. Eat me raw for a crisp refreshing bite. What curvy fruit am I?
Answer: Pear
Quinces
Riddle: Shaped like a misshapen pear I have downy golden fuzz. Hard, astringent flesh until cooked and a perfume-like scent I exude. Originating in the Caucasus, I’m made into jams and jellies galore. What unusual fruit am I?
Answer: Quince
Riddles about dried fruits
Raisins
Riddle: I’m a dried grape that comes in yellow or black. Pack me in snacks, put me in trail mix or bake me in an oatmeal pack. What wrinkly, sweet dried fruit am I?
Answer: Raisin
Prunes
Riddle: I used to be a plum before I lost all my juice. Now I’m wrinkly, chewy and high in fiber to boost your digestive use. Eat me plain for a simple healthy snack or bake me into desserts like cakes.
Answer: Prune
Apricots
Riddle: My dried orange slices are sticky and very sweet. Packed with nutrients that are good for you to eat. Add me to trail mixes or snack on me plain. What dried fruit comes from an apricot with no pit or stain?
Answer: Dried apricot
Dates
Riddle: Brown, sticky and wrinkly sweet. I grow in big bunches clinging to my tree. My dried fruit flesh surrounds one long, tough seed. Popular in Middle Eastern dishes – take a guess what I am indeed!
Answer: Date
Figs
Riddle: My dried skin is thin, purplish and tight. Inside are countless tiny edible seeds just right. I’m naturally sweet and so good to eat. What wrinkled dried fruit has a seed filled inner treat?
Answer: Fig
Riddles about tropical fruits
Bananas
Riddle: Long and yellow when ripe with thick easy to peel skin. Packed with potassium and other nutrients, with me as a snack you’re sure to win. What fruit comes in big bunches from tall leafy trees?
Answer: Banana
Plantains
Riddle: Like a very large banana but starchier instead. You have to cook me before eating, or my textures just dread. Popular in Latin America and Africa as an important crop. What starchy fruit am I used in savory dishes a lot?
Answer: Plantain
Pomegranates
Riddle: My leathery red-pink outer skin hides juicy crimson seeds within. Packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals galore. What messy fruit requires work to get to the sweet treat in store?
Answer: Pomegranate
Riddles about unusual fruits
Jackfruit
Riddle: I’m huge and prickly on the outside, protectively covering my edible parts inside. When ripe my interior is yellow or orange with a unique flavor. Native to South and Southeast Asia, what’s my unusual name?
Answer: Jackfruit
Durian
Riddle: Known as the “king of fruits” where I’m native in Southeast Asia. My spiky outer hull emits a smell very strong. But to fans of my flesh, I’m delicious before long. What funky fruit am I?
Answer: Durian
Rambutan
Riddle: My name means “hairy” in Malay, referring to my red and green spiky peel. Crack me open to get the oval, white fruit inside. Sweet and juicy, I’m a treat for you to try. What am I?
Answer: Rambutan
Star fruit
Riddle: My skin is waxy and turns from green to yellow. Slice crosswise and my shape becomes stellar, let me tell you. Mildly sweet and tart, what’s my star-shaped tropical name?
Answer: Star fruit
Pitaya (Dragon fruit)
Riddle: With pink scaly skin and green spikes I look surreal. But my white flesh spotted with seeds has wide appeal. Rich in antioxidants, fiber, and vitamin C. My unique look helps me stand out, you’ll agree.
Answer: Pitaya (Dragon fruit)
Conclusion
How did you do with these antioxidant fruit riddles? Eating a diet rich in produce like these can provide many benefits, from protecting your cells to helping prevent chronic disease. Challenge your family and friends to see how many fun fruit riddles they can get right.
Hopefully these brainteasers got you thinking creatively about all of the different high antioxidant fruits out there! Many that you may never have heard of before like durian, rambutan and lychee. Plus it’s a fun way to engage your mind while thinking about healthy foods at the same time.
So next time you’re looking for a nutritious snack or dessert idea, pick up one of these antioxidant all-stars. Try using some of the more unique fruits in a fruit salad, smoothie or even preserve them in jams. Your body will thank you for the immune-boosting vitamins and minerals it needs.