Exotic Fruits of Chile: What to Taste When Traveling

Chile is a geographic marvel and a true agricultural powerhouse. Due to its Mediterranean climate and unique geography, the country produces some of the freshest, highest-quality fruit in the world. While you can certainly enjoy their world-famous exports like cherries, blueberries, and grapes, the real adventure lies in tasting the native and ancient fruits you can only find right here.
These exotic fruits that Chilean travelers encounter in local markets are often highlights of any Chilean culinary tour. Skip the supermarket aisle and head to the local ferias (open-air markets) or ask for these ingredients in desserts and ice creams, it's the best way to get an authentic taste of Chile.
📌 We can add a stop at Santiago’s Mercado Central to your Santiago Day tour — one of the best places to experience Chile’s seasonal produce.

These five fruits are either native to the Andes or so integral to Chilean culture and cuisine that they are essential to your culinary itinerary.

Lúcuma (The Dessert Superfruit)

Known as the "Gold of the Incas," lúcuma is a subtropical fruit prized for its unique flavor. You'll rarely find it eaten raw. Instead, it is the star of Chilean desserts, boasting a flavor often described as a mix of maple syrup, caramel, and sweet potato.
How to Try It: Look for lúcuma ice cream or the famous Chilean dessert merengue con salsa de lúcuma (meringue with lúcuma sauce).
Harvest Season: June through November.

Chirimoya (The Custard Apple)

Native to the Andean highlands, the chirimoya (or cherimoya) is one of the world's most luxurious fruits. Its green, heart-shaped skin conceals a soft, white, creamy pulp, giving it the nickname "custard apple". The flavor is intensely sweet and tropical.
How to Try It: Best enjoyed fresh with a spoon or blended into a rich juice called jugo de chirimoya, or mixed with fresh orange juice, creating the infamous "Chirimoya Alegre".

Pepino Dulce (The Sweet Cucumber)

The name says it all: Pepino dulce translates to "sweet cucumber." Originating in the Andes, the fruit is typically yellow with striking purple streaks and has a mild, refreshing flavor, a blend of honey melon and cucumber.
How to Try It: Because of its mild profile, it is used in a surprisingly wide range of dishes, from salads and savory soups to jams and desserts.

Maqui (The Chilean Super Berry)

Chile has its own native superfood berry! Maqui is a dark purple berry known for its incredibly high antioxidant properties, far surpassing common berries.
How to Try It: Find it growing on trees all across the country, or as a Maqui powder in health stores or in juices and smoothies. Be sure to mind your clothes, as they stain like a fiend!

Calafate

This Chilean barberry, native to Patagonia, has a lovely acidulated sweet taste. It is used to make jams, jellies, and even a local Calafate sour cocktail.
Cultural Tip: According to a popular local legend, whoever eats Calafate is destined to return to Patagonia, so consider this berry your ticket back!
Bonus for travelers: You can often spot Calafate shrubs while exploring Torres del Paine National Park on our Tour Patagonia — the berries typically ripen between January and March (southern summer) when trekking conditions are ideal. If you choose our Torres del Paine route, we’ll help you savour this wild berry right in its natural habitat.

Chile also holds the key to the modern strawberry and offers unique jams perfect for souvenir shopping.

The True Origin of the Strawberry

You may love the bright red strawberries sold worldwide, but did you know their story begins in Chile? The original Chilean Strawberry produces a distinct, large, white-fruited berry.
In the 18th century, a French military engineer brought specimens of this fruit from Chile to Europe, where it was later accidentally cross-bred with the smaller North American meadow strawberry. This hybridization created the larger, universally popular red garden strawberry we eat today. Look for the native white variety in local markets!

Rosa Mosqueta Jam

While the original source mentions the use of rosehip (or Rosa Mosqueta) in traditional drinks, the most common culinary use for tourists is jam and licor.

Product to Try:

You can find Mermelada de Rosa Mosqueta (Rosehip Jam) sold throughout the country, especially in the south and at Mapuche markets. It has a tart, sweet flavor and is an excellent source of Vitamin C. Rosa Mosqueta is also a very valuable skincare asset.

Keep an eye out for these other unique Chilean ingredients:

Murta:

A small, aromatic berry used in jams and desserts, often called Chilean guava.

Piñones:

The edible pine nuts from the native Araucaria tree. They are large and delicious when boiled or roasted, and are also used to make piñon flour.
Chile's natural bounty extends far beyond fruit; it includes a wealth of medicinal plants that have formed the basis of traditional healing for indigenous peoples, particularly the Mapuche, for thousands of years. These herbs are still widely consumed today, often found in simple, pre-packaged bags at any supermarket or local feria.
If you are in the south, don't skip a visit to a local herbalist (yerbatería) for a true taste of Chilean traditional medicine, which offers a powerful contrast to the modern world.
Many Private Tours Chile or cultural excursions incorporate visits to these yerbaterías.

Chile is a land defined by its extremes, stretching from the arid Atacama Desert to the glacial peaks of Patagonia.
This remarkable geographic and biological diversity has fostered a unique culture, where the modern world of acclaimed wine and urban art exists alongside ancient traditions.
To truly experience the breadth of this nation, one must journey beyond the landmarks — tasting the creamy lúcuma and tart Maqui berry, savoring the floral Ulmo honey, sipping the bitter Boldo infusion, and tracing the footsteps of the moai. Chile is a country that rewards the curious traveler with unforgettable flavors, deep cultural connections, and breathtaking landscapes, guaranteeing an adventure at every latitude.

If your journey through Chile’s native fruits and traditional ingredients inspires you to explore further, consider visiting Peumayén Ancestral Food During your stay in Santiago. This well-regarded restaurant in the Bellavista, Providencia neighborhood focuses on preserving Chile’s culinary heritage. They offer a unique “Origins” tasting menu inspired by Mapuche, Aymara, Rapa Nui, and other Indigenous traditions.
If you're planning to explore the city with us, this restaurant experience can easily be added to your Santiago Full Day Private Tour.
Upon request, we can include a reservation at Peumayén in your customized itinerary, ensuring you enjoy an authentic ancestral dining experience with the help of a Local Guide Chile.