The Most Common Small Apple Like Fruit: The Crabapple
When asking what is a small apple like fruit called, the crabapple is the most frequent and accurate answer. These diminutive fruits are part of the same genus, Malus, as the larger, domesticated apples we find in grocery stores. The defining characteristic is size: any apple with a diameter of two inches or less is classified as a crabapple. While many varieties are quite tart, some are surprisingly sweet. Crabapples are not just for ornamental purposes; they are rich in pectin, making them an ideal ingredient for jellies, jams, sauces, and pies. Different cultivars produce fruits in shades of red, yellow, and green, adding vibrant color to landscapes and attracting wildlife.
Other Edible Small Apple Lookalikes
Beyond the familiar crabapple, several other fruits from various plant families bear a strong resemblance. It is crucial to distinguish these for proper culinary use and safety.
- Jujube (Chinese Date): This sweet and chewy fruit, from the Ziziphus jujuba tree, has an apple-like texture and taste when fresh and unripe. As it matures, the fruit turns reddish-brown and wrinkles, developing a taste similar to a dried date. Originally from Southern Asia, jujubes are a popular snack and are used in traditional medicine for their calming and antioxidant properties.
- Quince: Often confused with apples or pears, the quince is a pome fruit with a tough, fuzzy yellow skin. Unlike most crabapples, it is too hard and astringent to be eaten raw, but it transforms into a soft, pink, and aromatic delicacy when cooked. Quince is highly valued for making preserves, pastes (like Spanish membrillo), and baked goods.
- Medlar: A forgotten fruit from the pome family, the medlar is unusual because it is only eaten when bletted, a process where the fruit ferments and becomes soft and mushy after being picked. The taste is described as sweet and spicy, like rich applesauce or spiced pears. Medlars are commonly used to make jelly, spreads, or eaten raw after bletting.
- Serviceberry (Juneberry): This deciduous shrub produces small, edible purple-black berries that are related to apples and pears. They ripen in June and have a sweet flavor. Serviceberries can be eaten fresh, baked into pies, or used for making jams and jellies.
Comparing Small Apple Like Fruits
| Feature | Crabapple | Jujube | Quince | Medlar | Serviceberry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Malus spp. | Ziziphus jujuba | Cydonia oblonga | Mespilus germanica | Amelanchier spp. |
| Family | Rosaceae | Rhamnaceae | Rosaceae | Rosaceae | Rosaceae |
| Appearance | Tiny red, yellow, or green apples (<2" diameter) | Small, round to oval, green to dark red/purple | Large, fuzzy, golden-yellow, pear-shaped | Small, reddish-brown with an open-ended eye | Small, round, purple-black berries |
| Flavor | Tart to sour (raw), sweet (cooked) | Sweet, crisp (fresh); date-like (dried) | Hard and astringent (raw), sweet and aromatic (cooked) | Sweet-tart, reminiscent of spiced applesauce (bletted) | Sweet, berry-like |
| Preparation | Cooked into jellies, sauces, pies | Eaten fresh, dried, or in desserts | Cooked into pastes, preserves | Eaten bletted (overripe), or cooked into jelly | Eaten fresh, cooked into pies, jams |
| Edibility | Edible (flesh), tart (raw) | Edible (fresh or dried) | Edible (cooked) | Edible (bletted) | Edible (fresh or cooked) |
The Importance of Identification: A Toxic Warning
While many small, apple-like fruits are edible, it is paramount to correctly identify them to avoid poisonous lookalikes. The manchineel tree (Hippomane mancinella), found in tropical regions, produces a fruit that looks like a small apple but is one of the most toxic trees in the world. Ingesting its fruit or coming into contact with its milky sap can cause severe blistering and even prove fatal. Always be certain of a plant's identity before consuming its fruit.
How to Distinguish Small Fruits
To ensure you have the correct fruit, consider a few key factors:
- Size and Shape: Measure the fruit and observe its overall shape. Crabapples are typically small and round, while quinces are larger and pear-shaped.
- Texture: Feel the skin and flesh. A raw quince is firm and tough, whereas a fresh jujube is crisp and the medlar becomes mushy after bletting.
- Season: Note the time of year the fruit ripens. Serviceberries ripen in early summer, while crabapples are late summer and fall fruit.
- Taste: Carefully taste a small piece of the fruit, if you are absolutely certain it is safe. A crabapple will likely be very tart, a fresh jujube will be mildly sweet, and a quince will be highly astringent.
- Location and Habitat: Where is the tree growing? A manchineel tree grows on tropical beaches, which is very different from the temperate woodlands and cultivated areas where crabapples and medlars are found.
Other Related Pome Fruits
In addition to the main types, other lesser-known pome fruits are also related to the apple. For example, some varieties of pear (Pyrus) can have a shape more akin to an apple, like the Asian or Nashi pear. These fruits are related and can be used in similar culinary ways, but they are not technically apples or crabapples.
Conclusion
While many people immediately think of crabapples when they wonder what is a small apple like fruit called, several other fascinating fruits fit the description, each with unique characteristics and culinary uses. From the sweet and date-like jujube to the astringent but aromatic quince, the world of small, apple-like fruits is diverse. With careful observation of key features like size, texture, and origin, you can confidently identify these fruits, appreciate their flavors, and avoid any dangerous impostors. Proper identification is key to unlocking the full potential of these distinctive and often underappreciated fruits for culinary and ornamental purposes.
