50 U.S State Fruits: Foodies Guide & Recipes!

The USA is not a country known for it's vast consumption of healthy fruits & vegetables with a recent health study showing that just 12% of Americans eat the minimum daily fruit recommendation of one and a half to two cups per day.

With only 9% consuming the minimum daily vegetable recommendation of two to three cups per day.

According to Marion Nestle, a professor of nutrition studies at New York University, "We need to take much stronger action to make it easier & cheaper to eat fruits & Vegetables".

History of US Fruit & Vegetable Consumption:

We began to eat more vegetables in the 1980's but now that rise has stalled. We are now eating a similar amount of fruits & vegetables as we were during the 1970's!

This is of course not including Potatoes and fruit juices which have a very high sugar content.

According to the Health advice study called "Changing the American Diet"  we need to eat increase our vegetables Consumption.

In the words of the Study we need to "We need to replace sandwiches with salads, swap starches for veggies, and trade cookies, cupcakes, and chips for fresh fruit."

With Many U.S states having state fruits, vegetables and healthy meals its seems real strange that we are not eating the amounts we should!

So in this post i'm going to list of the U.S State Fruits & Veg, their benefits and a recipe idea for eating them!

Let's Dive in!

Interactive State Fruit Map USA

Dive into our Interactive map below!

This lists all 50 states and their state fruits!

User guide: Use the +/- buttons to zoom in and out of the attractions.

Top Tip: Many visitors choose to share the post on Facebook to inspire friends and help plan their road trip.

Hit the link below to share!

Official State Fruit of Alabama

• Blackberries - State Fruit - 2004
• Peaches - State Fruit - 2006
• Pecan - State Nut. - 1982

Alabama designated the blackberry  as the official state fruit in 2004 after a health campaign, which was led by the third graders at Fairhope Elementary School.

Blackberries are a robust plant which even grows well in partial shade! The unremarkable flowers can self pollinate, which makes them very easy to grow! (However the help of Bumblebees with the pollination can help to produce more fruit on the vine.

The great thing about Blackberries is you can eat them right off the Vine! (Give them a little wash first!)

Greg Dupree | WikiCommons

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Blackberries are packed with vitamin C. Just one cup of raw blackberries has 30.2 milligrams of vitamin C.
• Blackberries are high in fiber.
• Blackberries are a great source of vitamin K

Fun Fact: Alabama is also home to healthy state nut the Pecan.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

Blackberry Pie, Blackberry Jam and many deserts!

The peach has also been officially recognized as the state tree fruit of Alabama in 2006.

Try an Alabama Style Peach Cobbler.

Ralph Daily | Wiki Commons

Ray's Restaurant in Dothan was picked as offering the best peach cobbler in Alabama.

Ray's combines firm peaches, crunchy cobbler and vanilla ice cream to claim the title Bama's Best Peach Cobbler!

Official State Fruit of Alaska - None

Official State Fruit of Arizona - None

Official State Fruit of Arkansas

• South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato - State Fruit - 1987
• Summer Grape/Pigeon Grape - State fruit - 2009

History of the South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato:

Tomatoes are not a native fruit to Arkansas, however in the 1920's , many commercial growers started to grow them .

From that a movement started around Warren in Bradley County (Land of tall pines & pink tomatoes¬)

The in 1956 a small festival was born the Bradley County Pink Tomato Festival "one of the oldest continuous running festivals in the state of Arkansas"

Tomatoes are not native to Arkansas, but in the 1920s commercial growers began to grow them in south Arkansas. Then, during the 1950s a fresh-market industry began to grow around Warren in Bradley County (Land of tall pines and pink tomatoes).

South Arkansas Vine Ripe Pink Tomato.

As the popularity of the tomato grew the supermarkets demanded more red varieties of tomato.

In 1987,  State Representative John Lipton brought House Bill No. 1480 to the floor of the House of Representatives.

House Bill No. 1480 passed a full vote of the House of Representatives in February, 1987. Rep. Lipton promised 20 pounds of tomatoes to each Representative who voted for the measure!

It's not clear to us if Rep. Lipton ever made good on his promise to his colleagues in the House.

House Bill No. 1480 was signed into law by Governor Bill Clinton on March 16, 1987.

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene,
• Reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
• Great source of vitamin C
• Great source of Potassium, folate, and vitamin K.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

Italian pasta sauce, tomato soup, stuffed tomatoes, Bruschetta... tomato is a key flavor in many, many recipes!

Official State Fruit of California

• Avocado - State Fruit
• State Nuts: Almond, Walnut, Pistachio, Pecan

There are hundreds of varieties of avocado, but the Hass Avocado is by far the most popular and it has a special relationship with California, which grows over 90% of avocados grown in the U.S, around 350 million pounds a year.

Avocados originated in South-Central Mexico sometime between 7,000 and 5,000 B.C..

Judge R.B. Ord bought avocado trees from Mexico to his home in Santa Barbara in 1871, and by the 1950's around 25 different varieties were being packed and shipped in California!

In the late 1920s, Rudolph Hass, a mailman, purchased a seed from grower A. R. Rideout, and planted it in his grove in La Habra Heights.

Ivar Leidus | Wikimedia Commons

The original avocado “mother tree” in La Habra Heights died of root rot in 2002 aged 76, and today all the Hass avocados in the world can trace their roots back to it!

California Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring the avocado the state fruit in 2013.

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Avocados are a great source of vitamins C, E, K, and B-6,
• Avocados are a great source of riboflavin, niacin, folate, pantothenic acid, magnesium, and potassium
• They also provide lutein, beta-carotene, and omega-3 fatty acids#

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• California quinoa & avocado salad,
• Scrambled Eggs & Avocado
• Avocado & smoked salmon spelt spaghetti

Famartin | WikiCommons

Official State Fruit of Colorado - None

Official State Fruit of Connecticut - None

Official State Fruit of Delaware

• Strawberry - State fruit - 2010
• Peach pie - State Desert - 2009

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese
• They also contain amounts of folate (vitamin B9) and potassium.
• Strawberries are very rich in antioxidants which may have benefits for heart health and blood sugar control ( 1 , 2 ).

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Delaware strawberry pretzel salad
• Delaware Strawberry delight

Official State Fruit of Florida

• Oranges - State Fruit - 2005
• Key Lime Pie - State Pie - 2006

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• High in Vitamin C.
• Healthy immune system.
• Prevents skin damage.
• Lowers cholesterol.
• Lowers the risk of cancer.

Benreis | WikiCommons

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

Florida Orange Cake is a showcase for our Florida oranges, with juice in the cake and marmalade in the frosting.

Everyone comments on how moist the cake is.

See a full list of Florida oranges recipes here.

Official State Fruit of Georgia

• Peach - State Fruit - 1995

(Hmm Alabama might have something to say?)

• Grits - State Prepared Food

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Peaches are good for your digestion.
• Peaches can boost your immune system.
• Peaches can improve your skin too.
• Peaches can protect your eyes.

Lisafern | WikiCommons

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Georgia Peach Cobbler
• Georgia Peach Crisp

Official State Fruit of Hawaii - None

Official State Fruit of Idaho

• Huckleberry - State Fruit - 2000
• Potato - State Vegetable - 2002

Huckleberries are small and round and come in blue, crimson, and purple or in very dark blue colour.

These berries can be very sweet to taste and even sour.

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Huckleberries are high in vitamins, and contain around 22 IU of vitamin A.
• Huckleberries also contain high amounts of vitamin B and vitamin C.

(Keeps skin healthy, helps reduce cancer risk!)

• Huckleberries contain potassium which helps the regulation of water balance.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

Make exquisitely delicious huckleberry jam freshly picked wild huckleberries!

Idaho Huckleberry Jam

Official State Fruit of Illinois

• Gold Rush Apple - State Fruit - 2207
• Sweet Corn - State Vegetable - 2015
• Pumpkin Pie - State Pie - 2016
• State Grain - Corn - 2018

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• GoldRush apples are a great source of potassium, this electrolyte balances fluid levels within the body.
• They also contain fiber, which can help regulate digestion.

Ivar Leidus

State Fruit Recipe Ideas

For the best apple pie many chefs recommended, avoiding granny smiths and make it with Gold Rush Apples!

As it offering a better sugar balance.

Official State Fruit of Indiana - None

Official State Fruit of Iowa - None

Official State Fruit of Kansas - None

Official State Fruit of Kentucky

• Blackberry - State Fruit - 2004

See Alabama Section at the top for details on Blackberries, recipes etc.

Official State Fruit of Louisiana

• Louisiana Strawberry - State Fruit - 1980
• State Vegetable - Sweet Potato - 2003
• Mayhaw Jelly & Louisiana Sugar Cane Jelly - State Jellies - 2003
• State Food - Gumbo - 2004
• State Meat Pie - Natchitoches Meat Pie - 2003

Southern-Sweet-Potato-Pie.

Health Benefits of the State Vegetable:

• Sweet potatoes are an amazing source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
• The fiber and antioxidants in sweet potatoes help improve gut health.
• May Enhance Brain Function.
• Cancer-Fighting Properties.
• Support Healthy Vision.

Source,

(For details on the State fruit see the section on Delaware above)

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Louisiana sweet potato pie
• Louisiana sweet potato pancakes
• Louisiana sweet potato pecan pie
• Louisiana sweet potato hand pies
• Louisiana sweet potato casserole

Official State Fruit of Maine

• Wild Blueberry - State Fruit - 1991
• Wintergreen - State Herb - 1991
• Blueberry Pie - State Dessert - 2011
• Maine Maple Syrup - State Sweetener - 2015

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Known as a SUPERFOOD!
• A daily bowl of Blue berries could protect against obesity, heart disease and diabetes.
• The fiber, potassium, folate, vitamin C, vitamin B6, and phytonutrient content in blueberries supports heart health.
• They also have been known to improve short term memory!

source.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Maine Blueberry Pie
• Maine Blueberry Jam

See: Ultimate Maine Lighthouse Road Trip

Official State Fruit of Maryland - None

(Try the Blue Crab though! and Smith Island Cake the state desert!)

Official State Fruit of Massachusetts

• Cranberries - State Fruit/Berry - 1994
• Boston Cream Pie - State Desert - 1996
• Chocolate chip cookie - State Cookie - 1997

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

cranberries to be a superfood due to their high nutrient and antioxidant content!

• Fighting age-related damage.
• Improving heart health.
• Supporting digestive health.
• Treating urinary tract infection (UTI)

Source,

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Cranberry Apple Pie
• Baby Back Ribs with Cranberry BBQ sauce.
• Cranberry sauce.

Full Cranberry Recipe list here.

Official State Fruit of Michigan - None

Official State Fruit of Minnesota

• Honeycrisp Apple - State Fruit - 2006
• Blueberry Muffin - State Muffin - 1988
• Morel - State Mushroom - 1984

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

One medium Honeycrisp apple has 5 grams of fiber and only 80 calories.

The amount and type of fiber in the apple will help you feel full longer and thus consume fewer calories daily.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Smoked Turkey, Fresh Apple, and Bacon Sandwich
• Tuscan Fried Apple and Sage Appetizer
• Caramel Apple Smoothie
• Grilled Honeycrisp Apples
• Honeycrisp Waldorf Salad

Source.

Official State Fruit of Mississippi - None

Official State Fruit of Missouri

• Summer Grape/Pigeon Grape - State Fruit - 2003
• Eastern Black Walnut - 1990
• Ice Cream cone - State Desert - 2008

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Packed With Nutrients, Especially Vitamins C and K.
• High Antioxidant Contents May Prevent Chronic Diseases.
• Plant Compounds May Protect Against Certain Types of Cancer

Source.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Grape Salad
• Grape Stuffed Chicken with Lemon Orzo
• Orange - Drizzled Grape Tartlets

For more see, here

Official State Fruit of Montana - None

Official State Fruit of Nebraska - None

Official State Fruit of Nevada - None

Official State Fruit of New Hampshire

• Pumpkin - State Fruit -2006
• White Potato - State Vegetable - 2013

For more see: Best Pumpkin Patches: U.S State Guide!

Washington Carpinito Bros Pumpkin Patch

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Nutrient Density and Low Calorie Count May Promote Weight Loss.
• Highly Nutritious and Particularly Rich in Vitamin A.
• High Antioxidant Content May Reduce Your Risk of Chronic Diseases.
• Packs Vitamins That May Boost Immunity.
• Vitamin A, Lutein and Zeaxanthin May Protect Your Eyesight.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Harborside House Pumpkin Bread
• Pumpkin Cake in a Jar
• Praline Pumpkin Pie (The Classic)
• Pumpkin Chiffon Pie with Sweet Walnut Crust
• Pumpkin Whoopie Pies
• Pumpkin Bread

Insider Tip:

Check out the The New Hampshire Pumpkin Festival an annual celebration held in Laconia, New Hampshire, United States before Halloween.

Official State Fruit of New Jersey

• Northern Highbush Bluberry - State Fruit - 2004

For health benefits & recipes see the Section on Maines Blueberries.

Official State Vegetable of New Mexico

• New Mexico Chile & Pinto Beaches - State Vegetable - 1965
• Biscochito - State cookie - 1989

Health Benefits of the State Vegetable:

Rich source of vital protein, fiber, and antioxidants,

• Iron: 20% RDI.
• Thiamin: 28% RDI.
• Potassium: 20% RDI.
• Magnesium: 20% RDI.
• Vitamin B6: About 20% RDI.
• Copper: 40% RDI.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• New Mexican Frijoles
• New Mexico Chile

Official State Fruit of New York

• Apple - State Fruit - 1976
• Apple Muffin - State Muffin - 1987
• Yogurt - State Snack -2014

Fun Fact: New York is ranked 2nd in the country growing more than 30 million bushels per year.

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

• Apples May Be Good for Weight Loss.
• They're Linked to a Lower Risk of Diabetes.
• Substances in Apples May Help Prevent Cancer.
• Apples Contain Compounds That Can Help Fight Asthma.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

New York Chicken & Apple Salad

New York State Apple Muffins.

For other New York Recipes see. Here

Official State Fruit of North Carolina

• Blueberry - State Fruit - 2001
• Strawberry - State Fruit - 2001
• Scuppernong Grape - State Fruit - 2001
• Sweet Potato - State Vegetable - 1995

For Blueberry details, see our section on Maine. For Strawberries see Delaware.

For Sweet Potato see Louisiana.

Official State Fruit of North Dakota

• Aronia (Chokecherry) - State Fruit - 2007

Health Benefits of the State Fruit:

Chokecherry tea is used to treat everything from anxiety to colds, diarrhea and even tuberculosis!

Berries were eaten to relieve stomach pain and aid digestion.

Aronia (Chokecherry)

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Chokecherry Tea
• Chokecherry Jam
• Chokecherry Syrup

Official State Fruit of Ohio

• Tomato - State Fruit - 2009
• PawPaw - State Fruit -2009

For Tomato Health Benefits & Recipes see our section on Arkansas near the top.

Be sure to check out the Annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival held Sept. 11-13, 2020. At scenic Lake Snowden in Albany, Ohio,

There you will find 3 days of pawpaw music, food, contests, art, sustainable living workshops, activities for the kids and lots more!

Health Benefits of the State Fruit (PawPaw)

Papaya is rich in fibre, Vitamin C and antioxidants which helps prevent cholesterol build up in your arteries

• Lowers cholesterol.
• Protects against arthritis
• Helps in weight loss. .
• Good for diabetics.
• Great for your eyes.
• Boosts your immunity.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• PawPaw Pudding
• Spicy Autunm PawPaw Cake
• PawPaw Ice Cream

Official State Fruit of Oklahoma

• Strawberry - State Fruit - 2005
• Watermelon - State Fruit - 2007

For Strawberry recipes see Delaware.

Health Benefits of the State Fruit

• Helps Keep You Hydrated.
• Contains Compounds That May Help Prevent Cancer.
• May Help Relieve Muscle Soreness.
• Contains Nutrients and Beneficial Plant Compounds.
• May Lower Inflammation and Oxidative Stress.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Watermelon Pomegrante Juice
• Watermelon Salsa
• Watermelon Tomato Salad
• Watermelon Sorbet

State Fruit Festivals?

Rush Springs Watermelon Festival, has been an annual event since 1948, and has grown to over 20,000 festival-goers each year!

This annual event celebrates the rush of local seasonal watermelons with watermelon-themed activities, carnival rides and family friendly attractions.

• Saturday, August 8, 2020

Jeff Davis ParkEast on Main StRush Springs, OK 73082

580-476-3277

Check out the Ringwood Watermelon Festival and Community Fair, a week-long tradition.

The fair kicks off the Monday prior to Labor Day and concludes with a parade and activities on Saturday

Address:

Main Street

Ringwood, OK 73768

Official State Fruit of Oregon

• Pear - State Fruit - 2005
• Pacific Golden Chanterelle - State Mushroom - 1999
• Hazelnut - State Nut- 1989

Health Benefits of the State Fruit

Pears are Fat Free, Cholesterol Free and only 100 calories!

They are also rich in essential antioxidants, plant compounds, and dietary fiber.

• vitamin C.
• vitamin K.
• potassium.

Fun Fact; Apples and pears contain pectin, a fiber which nourishes gut bacteria.Source.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Blackberry Pear Pie
• Endive & Pear Salad
• Quinoa & Pear Salad

for list of pear recipes here.

Official State Fruit of Pennsylvania - None

Official State Fruit of Rhode Island

• Rhode Island Greening Apple - State Fruit - 1991
• Calamari - State Appetizer - 2015

History:

The Rhode Island Greening Apple was first grown from seed in the mid-17th century,near Newport, Rhode Island, where one Mr. Green owned a tavern near Green’s End.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

Rhode Island Greening makes a great Apple pie!

As it's firm it holds it shape when you cook it!

Official State Fruit of South Carolina

• Peach - State Fruit - 1984
• Collard Greens - State Vegetable - 2011
• Boiled peanuts - State Snack food - 2006

For more on Peach health benefits & recipes see Alabama

Official State Fruit of South Dakota - None

Official State Fruit of Tennessee

• Tomato

For more on Tomato health benefits & recipes see our section on Arkansas.

Official State Fruit of Texas

• Texas Red Grapefruit - State Fruit - 1993
• Jalapeno - State pepper - 1995
• Chiltepin - State Native Pepper - 1997
• State Vegetable - Sweet Onion - 1997
• State Dish - Chili - 1977
• State Squash - Pumpkin
• State Pie - Pecan pie

Health Benefits of the State Fruit

• Low in Calories, High in Nutrients.
• Aids Weight Loss.
• Benefits Your Immune System.
• Grapefruit May Improve Heart Health.
• It's High in Powerful Antioxidants.
• May Reduce the Risk of Kidney Stones.

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Texas Ruby Red Grapefruit Cake
• Texas Grapefruit Pie

Official State Fruit of Utah

• Cherry - State Fruit - 1997
• Sugar Beet - State Historic Vegetable - 2002
• Spanish Sweet Onion - State Vegetable - 2002

Health Benefits of the State Fruit

Cherries contain a hormone called melatonin which facilitates good, peaceful sleep!

• Relives Insomnia.
• Prevents Cardiovascular Diseases.
• Anti-Ageing Properties.
• Facilitates Weight Loss.
• Lowers Hypertension.

Learn how to plant cherry seeds with this AMAZING RESOURCE! https://happydiyhome.com/how-to-plant-cherry-seeds/

State Fruit Recipe Ideas:

• Cherry BBQ sauce
• Spiced Cherry Chutney
• Summer Buzz Fruit Salad
• Black Forest Pudding
• Cherry Ice cream

Source.

Official State Fruit of Vermont

• Apple - State Fruit - 1999
• Apple Pie - State Pie - 1999
• State Flavor - Maple syrup - 1993
• State Vegetable - Gilfeather Turnip - 2015

For more on Apple health benefits & recipes see our section on New York above.

Official State Fruit of Washington

• Apple - State Fruit - 1989
• Walla Walla Sweet Onion - State Vegetable - 2007

For more on Apple health benefits & recipes see our section on New York above.

Official State Fruit of West Virginia

• Golden Delicious Apple - State Fruit - 1995

For more on Apple health benefits & recipes see our section on New York above.

Official State Fruit of Wisconsin

• Cranberry - State Fruit - 2003
• State Dairy - Cheese - 2017
• State Pastry - Kringle - 2013

For Cranberry health Benefits & Recipes see our section on Massachusetts.

Official State Fruit of Wyoming - None

For more on Great American Fruits check out:

Best Pumpkin Patches: U.S State Guide!

Oklahoma- Parkhurst Pumpkin Patch

Also check out: Ultimate Foodie Road Trip: East Coast Maps!

Epic Food Hall Road Trip USA: 21 Best Food Halls!

Food-hall-Road-trip