Fruits are a delicious and healthy part of anyone’s diet. Perennial fruits are fruits that come from plants that live and produce fruit for many years, unlike annual fruits that only produce for one season. Perennial fruits include berries, citrus, pome fruits, stone fruits, and more. Let’s explore some of the tastiest perennial fruits through fun riddles!
Berries
Berries are small, pulpy, and brightly colored perennial fruits. Can you guess these berry riddles?
Strawberries
I’m red and seeded, grown upon the ground,
Eaten by people the whole world round.
I’m best when fresh, not cooked or canned,
Spread on shortcake, or just in hand.
What am I?
Answer: Strawberry
Blueberries
I’m a berry that’s a blueish hue,
Plump and juicy, tasty too.
Eaten fresh or in a pie,
In muffins and pancakes I also apply.
What am I?
Answer: Blueberry
Blackberries
I’m a black, bumpy berry that grows on a prickly vine,
Tangy and sweet, I’m delicious combined with wine.
Eaten fresh or in jams, I’m an antioxidant treasure,
My name has “black” in it, now guess me if you can measure.
Answer: Blackberry
Raspberries
I’m a pinkish red, delicate berry,
With a hollow center and taste that’s merry.
In sweets or in something tart,
I crumble easily, that’s the best part!
What am I?
Answer: Raspberry
Citrus
Citrus fruits have juicy interiors full of vitamin C. See if you can get the juices flowing on these citrusy conundrums:
Oranges
My color matches my name,
In segments I’m easily tamed.
Squeezed for juice or eaten in slices,
I’m one of your five-a-day prizes.
What am I?
Answer: Orange
Lemons
Tart and yellow, shaped like an oval,
I squirt sour juice when I’m squeezed as a whole.
In cooking and baking I add flavor that pops,
I’m zesty and bright when with food I’m plopped.
What am I?
Answer: Lemon
Limes
Like a lemon I’m sour, but greener of rind,
I add a fresh zing, so flavorful you’ll find.
In guacamole, drinks, on fish and in pie,
This little green fruit really makes flavors fly.
What am I?
Answer: Lime
Grapefruits
I’m bigger than an orange with a thick, pink skin,
Tart and juicy inside, with segments I’m brimming.
Eaten halfed or squeezed into a drink,
This large, round citrus has a bitter kick.
What am I?
Answer: Grapefruit
Pome Fruits
Pome fruits have cores with several small seeds inside. See if you can get to the “core” of these pome fruit puzzles:
Apples
I’m round and red, sweet or tart,
Crunchy when eaten right from the start.
Baked into pies or dipped in honey,
I’m that fruit that kept doctors away from me.
What am I?
Answer: Apple
Pears
I’m shaped like a light bulb, with a bottom end wide,
Smooth-skinned and fragrant, I hang on branches outside.
I come in green, red, yellow, brown hues,
Eaten crisp or soft roasted, which fruit am I, you choose?
Answer: Pear
Stone Fruits
Stone fruits have pits or “stones” inside their juicy flesh. Crack open these stone fruit mysteries:
Peaches
Fuzzy outside, juicy within,
Golden colored with a large, hard pit.
Eaten fresh in the summer sun,
In cobblers and pies I add fruity fun.
What am I?
Answer: Peach
Plums
I’m oval-shaped and come in purple, red or yellow hues,
With smooth skin and a stone inside, I’m delicious to bruise.
Eaten fresh or dried as a prune,
In jam, juice or baked in a tart,
I add sweetness of which you can’t get enough,
Just take me and eat me – but watch for my tough pit!
What am I?
Answer: Plum
Cherries
I’m a red, juicy fruit that grows in pairs,
With a hard pit inside that you should beware.
Sweet or tart, I’m so fun to eat,
Just pop me in your mouth for a tasty summer treat!
What am I?
Answer: Cherry
Apricots
I’m fuzzy skinned like a tiny peach,
But smaller and sweeter for each tasty reach.
Orangey-gold on the outside,
With a large pit in the middle I cannot hide.
Dried or fresh, in pies or just to munch,
I’m that cute little fruit called…
What am I?
Answer: Apricot
Tropical and Exotic Fruits
Think you know your tropical and exotic perennial fruits? See if you can pick out these fun-loving fruits:
Pineapples
I have a spiky crown and thick, golden rind,
Inside I’m sweet and delicious, one of a kind.
I’m grown in Hawaii where temperatures are hot,
My name has the word “pine” but I’m definitely not.
What am I?
Answer: Pineapple
Mangoes
Oval and orangey-yellow, with smooth, thin skin,
I’m juicy and sweet and look like a large stone.
Grown in tropical places, where it’s hot and bright,
I’m that fruit that’s so messy though super tasty to bite!
What am I?
Answer: Mango
Kiwis
I’m a brown fuzzy fruit that’s odd to see,
Cut me open – inside I’m bright green!
My black seeds you can scoop or choose to eat,
I’m from down under, a nutritious tropical treat.
What am I?
Answer: Kiwi
Bananas
Long and curved, with yellow peel,
When ripe I’m super soft and ideal for meals.
Potassium packed, no fuss, easy to eat,
I come in bunches – breakfast is such a treat!
What am I?
Answer: Banana
Guavas
Green on the outside, pinkish within,
With edible seeds so many contained.
Tropical and tasty, so unique is my flavor,
In juices and smoothies I lend my favor.
What am I?
Answer: Guava
Melons
Melons have smooth rinds and juicy, sweet interiors. See if you can pick the perfect melon in each riddle:
Watermelons
Green on the outside and pinkish-red within,
Few fruits are as juicy or can grow to my ginormous size.
At picnics and parties I’m always a win,
Now just take a guess – what melon am I?
Answer: Watermelon
Cantaloupes
Orange and round, with wrinkled, netted skin,
I’m a smaller melon, super sweet within.
With juicy orange flesh and a musky perfume,
For breakfast or dessert, I’m a refreshing tropical fruit!
What am I?
Answer: Cantaloupe
Honeydew
I’m round with smooth, pale green outer skin,
Cut me open to find sweetness sealed within.
My flesh is light green, juicy and refreshing,
On summer days enjoy my melon essence!
What am I?
Answer: Honeydew melon
Grapes and Raisins
These riddles ask you to distinguish between fresh grapes and their dried raisin cousins:
Grapes
I grow in bunches on vines in the sun,
Round and juicy, I’m purple or green for fun.
Eat me fresh or use me smashed into wine,
I’m the fruit that can grow with or without seeds inside.
What am I?
Answer: Grapes
Raisins
I’m wrinkly and dry, a naturally sweet treat,
Made from grapes set out in the sun to dehydrate.
Add me to cookies, cakes, breads and much more,
I add chewy texture and flavor galore.
What am I?
Answer: Raisins
Avocados
This oval fruit has green bumpy skin and soft, creamy insides. Can you guess it?
I’m shaped like a pear and have darker green skin,
Inside I’m soft and creamy, delicious to take in.
On tacos or toast, in guacamole dip,
I’m nutritious and tasty, a smooth, flavorful slip.
What am I?
Answer: Avocado
Figs
This fun fruit comes in bold purples, greens and browns. See if you can figure it out:
I’m sweet and chewy with edible crunchy seeds,
My skin is delicate, I’m best fresh to eat.
Though sometimes dried, when ripe I ooze,
I grow in warm climates, like California or Greece.
What am I?
Answer: Fig
Olives
Green or black, this salty fruit grows on trees. Can you guess it?
I’m oval and small, I grow on trees in warm climes,
Pick me when I’m green, then cure me in brines.
Stuffed or plain, sliced in drinks or on rich savory foods,
I’m salty and tangy, a flavor that’s withstood ages.
What am I?
Answer: Olive
Persimmons
This fall fruit can be slimy soft or firm like an apple. Bet you can’t guess this one:
I look like a tomato, smooth-skinned and bright,
Cut me open, I can be slimy or firm inside when ripe.
Eastern or American, choose me with care,
My sweetness and flavors are complex and rare.
What am I?
Answer: Persimmon
Pomegranates
This fall favorite has a tough outer shell protecting delicious juicy seeds. Can you crack this riddle?
My leathery skin hides hundreds of juicy red seeds,
Crack me open and inside you’ll find flavor that exceeds.
Sprinkle me on salads or blend me into a drink,
I’m antioxidizing, my power’s in what you can’t see, just think!
What am I?
Answer: Pomegranate
Conclusion
There are so many tasty and interesting perennial fruits to enjoy fresh or cooked in desserts, salads, main dishes and drinks! Berries, melons, tropical fruits, citrus and stone fruits are just some of the delightful options. Riddles engage your mind while teaching you about the different qualities and traits of these fun fruits. The next time you bite into a ripe, juicy perennial fruit, think up a playful riddle to share with family and friends!
