Full List of Vegetables and Fruits Found in Nigeria
Nigeria is a country blessed with an abundance of vegetables and fruits. While there are many different types of vegetables and fruits available, not all of them are commonly consumed. In this blog post, we will be sharing a full list of vegetables and fruits found in Nigeria, as well as their respective nutritional values. So if you’re looking for some new and exciting ways to add more vitamins and minerals to your diet, then keep reading!
There are plethora of fruits and vegetables that can be found in Nigeria. This article will give a comprehensive list of all these agricultural produce. The rundown also includes the respective health benefits of these fruits. Nonetheless, these tropical fruits and vegetables can be found in Nigerian markets, whether they are in shops, supermarkets, or outdoor markets.
FULL LIST OF FRUITS IN NIGERIA
The following is a complete list of fruits that can be found throughout the country.
BANANA
Banana is one of the most beneficial tropical fruits for our health. It contains a lot of vitamins, fiber, potassium, and natural sugars like fructose and sucrose. As a result, consuming two bananas per day puts a lot of strain on the body.
WATER MELON FRUIT
Watermelon is a highly nutritious fruit that is high in nutrients that benefit a person’s overall health and lifestyle. Watermelon also has a high amount of water, which helps to keep the body nourished at all moments.
MANGO FRUIT
Mango is a delicious tropical fruit that is both succulent and sweet. Many people drink it because of its numerous health benefits, including the fact that it is believed to help lessen the risk of certain diseases…
AVOCADO FRUIT
Avocado pear offers a number of remarkable health benefits, most of which are backed up by scientific evidence. These advantages extend from the human body’s interior organs to the skin.
PAPAYA FRUITS (PAWPAW)
Papaya is a healthy source of minerals and vitamins that help the body function properly. It is a popular fruit that is usually found in the tropics and is loved by everyone because of its flavor.
GUAVA
Guava is a vitamin-rich tropical fruit with a distinct flavor and a wide range of nutritional benefits that aid in body tissue regeneration and have other beneficial effects. This tropical fruit’s health benefits aren’t simply confined to…
PINEAPPLE FRUIT
Pineapple is a tropical fruit with a very sweet and juicy flavour. Bromelain enzymes can break down protein and are found in clustered berries. With less calories, it also contains antioxidants, enzymes, and important vitamins.
CUCUMBER FRUIT
Cucumber is a favorite Nigerian fruit that is high in minerals. It is beneficial to one’s health when consumed and when absorbed through the skin to treat sunburn and other skin problems.
ORANGES
The main source of vitamins, particularly vitamin C, is orange. It is also high in dietary fiber and other nutrients that are beneficial to man’s health and well-being.
CASHEW FRUIT
Cashews are high in a variety of vitamins, minerals, and other critical components that improve human health and provide numerous health advantages. Cashew fruits come in a variety of colors, from yellow to red.
LEMON
Lemon is a citrus fruit that has various health advantages and is used for both culinary and non-culinary uses. It is ideal for immune system and skin health.
COCONUTS
Coconuts include a variety of nutrients that aid in the improvement and growth of one’s health. Not only that, but they have a very delectable flavor. They have critical nutritional content based on evidence that has been demonstrated to be healthy.
SOURSOP FRUIT
Soursop, also known as Graviola, is a tropical fruit that is high in a variety of chemicals. It contains antioxidants and minerals that are good to human health, including as calcium, phosphorus, and a little quantity of iron.
AFRICAN STAR APPLE
African Star Apple is a natural fruit of tropical African countries such as Nigeria, and it offers a variety of nutrients that are helpful to one’s health. The African Star Apple is used to treat high blood pressure and other health problems.
TAMARIND
The black velvet tamarind, sometimes known as African velvet tamarind, is a native fruit. Because it is a vitamin C supplement, it has had no adverse reactions and has been consumed by people of all ages.
GREEN APPLE
Green apple is a highly nutritious fruit that contains several vitamins and minerals, as well as several health benefits that make it an excellent addition to one’s daily diet. Vitamins, minerals, and fiber are abundant in apples.
TROPICAL ALMONDS
In Nigeria, West Africa, tropical almonds are known as “fruit.” They include minerals that are extremely beneficial to human health. This is due to the fact that they act as cofactors in a variety of metabolic processes in the body.
ACKEE FRUIT
Ackee is a tasty fruit with a yellow or red skin color. There are no saturated fats or cholesterol in them. Protein, carbohydrate, vitamin, and other vital components like potassium, magnesium, calcium, and others are all present in it.
GRAPEFRUIT FRUIT
Vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients such as polyphenols abound in grapefruit. Fiber has a variety of health benefits for the body, including heart health management, weight loss, and more.
TANGERINES FRUIT
Mandarin oranges are tangerines, a citrus fruit. They have a pleasant flavor, are orange in color, and are high in nutritional content. These have a good impact on cell DNA, bone health, and overall heart health.
LIME FRUIT
Lime is a spherical citric juice with a tangy flavor. It contains a certain amount of citric acid that is not as damaging to human health as many people believe. Lime is a yellowish-green or greenish-green color.
AFRICAN PEAR OR BUSH PEARS
The African pear, sometimes known as the bush pear, is a West African natural fruit that is primarily found in southeast Nigeria. Ube is a popular name for them. It’s particularly tasty when served with roasted or boiled corn. When fully ripe, it becomes pink.
CARROTS
Carrots have a pleasant flavor and are orange in color. They are high in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as vital minerals like potassium, iron, copper, and manganese, and a variety of other nutrients.
GARDEN EGG (EGGPLANTS)
Garden Egg is high in dietary fiber, as well as other minerals and vitamins. Vitamin B1, potassium, folate, manganese, magnesium, copper, Vitamin B6, niacin, and other essential nutrients are among them.
ASPARAGUS
Asparagus is a healthy vegetable that comes in a variety of hues depending on the kind. Nonetheless, they are all high in nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that help to a healthy lifestyle.
YELLOW MONKEY KOLA
The most prevalent form of African indigenous wild fruit known as monkey cola is yellow monkey kola, which can be found in and near homes and settlements. They are mostly found in Nigeria’s southern regions. In Igbo, it’s called Ochiricha or Achicha, in Ibibio, Ndiyah, and in Efik.
LOCAL STRAWBERRY
Local strawberries are called Olohun in Yoruba, and they are excellent tropical fruits. It is grown in commercial quantities in Jos, Plateau State, but farming is widespread in Nigeria. They’re chock-full of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and other goodies.
HOG PLUMS
March plums, also known as Yellow Mombin or Monkey Mombin, are a juicy fruit found in tropical nations that comes in a variety of colors.
ROSE OR WATER APPLES
The rose apple, also known as the water apple, is a tropical fruit with numerous health benefits. It contains a large amount of water as well as other important elements that are beneficial to brain function.
PITANGA BERRIES
Pitanga Berries, sometimes known as cherry, is a tropical fruit that goes by many different names in different parts of the world, including Surinam cherry, French cherry, and others. It is distinguished by its vibrant red/orange hue and sweet-sour flavor.
CELERY VEGETABLE
Celery is a nutrient-dense vegetable with significant health benefits for humans. One of the most intriguing aspects of celery is its low calorie content, which has been related to fat burning and weight loss.
TOMATOES
Tomatoes are nutrient-dense consumable fruits which are always red and pertain to the nightshade family of fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes are high in carbs, protein, lipids, vitamins, minerals, and other substances that have numerous health benefits.
PEPPER FRUIT
Pepper fruit is a pungent, peppery, and medicinal tropical fruit native to West Africa. It is a type of berry found in most parts of Nigeria. It goes by a variety of names in Nigerian dialects.
AFRICAN WALNUTS
African walnuts are a tropical fruit that are high in nutrition and have numerous health advantages. Walnuts’ nutritional value is extremely beneficial to the human body in a variety of ways. They’re well-known for being nutrient-dense.
DATE FRUITS
The fruit of the dates is high in dietary fiber, calories, sugar, and other nutrients. These contents are beneficial to heart health, libido, and fertility, among other things.
FULL LIST OF VEGETABLES IN NIGERIA
On the other hand, let’s take a gander at the comprehensive list of vegetables found in the country:
BITTER LEAF
Bitter leaf offers a wide range of therapeutic properties and benefits for human health and well-being. The leaf has antibacterial and antifungal qualities, making it a suitable home cure for a variety of health problems like dysentery, diarrhea, and high blood pressure.
WATER LEAF
Waterleaf is a West African annual herbaceous plant found in most of Nigeria’s states, primarily in the south. It’s known as Gbure in Yoruba, Mgbolodi in Igbo, and Mmo-mmo Ikong in Ibibio-Efik.
GARDEN EGG LEAVES
Garden Egg Leaf, like other vegetables, has a decent amount of critical nutrients such as vitamins and minerals, which are important for human wellness. Natural blood-pumping vegetables are what these vegetables are known for.
FLUTED PUMPKIN LEAVES
Greenish leafy veggies, fluted pumpkin leaves are cultivated in Nigeria and other West African countries. When boiled or cooked with other meals, they are edible; they can also be consumed as a vegetable salad or juice.
WILD LETTUCE
Dandelion greens is the English name for this vegetable. This edible plant’s leaves are eaten raw in salads or cooked in soups and sauces. The leaves’ mineral content is found to be comparatively high (21.8 percent ).
AFRICAN SPINACH (GREEN)
African spinach is a dark green leafy vegetable that may be found in most African countries, particularly in the west. African spinach is high in fiber, vitamins (niacin, vitamin A, folate, vitamin C, and B6), minerals (calcium, magnesium, and potassium), and other nutrients.
LAGOS SPINACH
In the Lagos Metropolitan Area markets, “Lagos Spinach” is a particularly popular vegetable. During the rainy season, it is widely available. The flavor characteristic of this perennial herb is mildly bitter, and the leaves are slightly diuretic.
MALABAR SPINACH
This plant is native to Afro-Asia. It’s known as “amunututu” in the local community, which literally translates to “a cool stomach appetiser.”
The leaves have a high water content and are succulent. This vegetable is high in calcium and iron, as well as vitamins A, B, and C. It is also high in protein and soluble fiber.
AFANG
The indigenous peoples of southern and southeastern Nigeria are huge fans of this vegetable. It is known as “afang” by the Efik and Ibibio peoples, and “okazi” by the Igbo people. The leaves are obtained as forest products and the plant is not cultivated.
Protein, carbs, and essential amino acids are abundant in Afang.
AFRICAN BASIL (SCENT LEAF)
Scent leaf is a popular vegetable distributed all throughout the country due to its numerous medicinal properties. It’s also often planted as a mosquito repellent near homes.
YORUBAN BOLOGI
Yoruban Bologi, also known as “Ebolo,” is a rare vegetable. It is only sold after the new yam arrives, which is late in the rainy season. The semi-succulent leaves and the entire young plant are mucilaginous and used as a potherb in soups and sauces.
CONCLUSION
Nigerian agricultural sector is blessed with a variety of fruits and vegetables. The list we have provided is by no means exhaustive. Do you know any other agricultural produce, fruit or vegetables that are popular in Nigeria? Let us know in the comments section below. We would love to hear from you.
