Last Updated on February 23, 2024
In the culinary world, the significant difference between fruits and vegetables boils down to this: fruits are sweet, while vegetables are savory. However, in botanical contexts, there are various vegetable plants people think are fruits! Continue reading as we enlighten you with shocking revelations about vegetables that are fruits!
10 So-called ‘vegetables’ that are Actually Fruits in Disguise
Tomatoes
Tomatoes hail from the Solanaceae family. The reason why tomatoes are regarded as a vegetable isn’t due to their acidic relish but rather because it grows on a plant.
To cut it short and simple, tomatoes contain seeds and grow from the flower of the tomato plant.
It is like the famous proverb: “Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is knowing not to put it in a fruit salad”.
So, next time you’re topping tomatoes in your salads, blending them in chutneys, or baking feta pasta, you’ll know you’re using fruit instead of a vegetable!
And I wonder if a tomato is a fruit, why is ketchup not called a smoothie?
Corn
Yes, we know; this came to you as a surprise.
In the agricultural world, corn is regarded as a grain. In the culinary world, corn is used as a vegetable. However, both of these ‘terms’ are botanically incorrect.
Are you still corn-fused?
Corn is a fruit as it grows from a flower of a corn plant. Each corn kernel is an ovary that contains a single seed.
Cucumbers
You will not look at pickles the same way ever again!
Cucumber hails from the Cucurbitaceae family and is mainly considered a carb-free edible due to its low caloric, nutritional, and antioxidation properties.
Cucumbers are regarded as fruits because they contain seeds, and when you plant them, they sprout into a flowering plant.
Pumpkin
Until now, you were probably engraving pumpkins every Halloween thinking it was a vegetable.
Pumpkins belong to the cucurbit family. When you cut open a pumpkin, you will notice a lot of seeds inside. These very seeds are planted to grow more pumpkins.
Eggplants
It just doesn’t feel right to categorize Eggplant as a fruit. I mean, you can’t devour it without cooking it, nor can you juice it. It’s not even sweet to taste!
But, little did you know, Eggplants are botanically classified as a berry.
Eggplants are a member of the Solanaceae family and are seed-bearing fruits that grow from the flowers of the Solanum Melongena plant.
String beans
String beans are another fruit in disguise!
String beans are a member of the legume family. String beans are a “dry fruit.” When this fruit develops, the pod will dry out and crack open. These seeds, when germinated, produce more green beans.
Avocados
Looks can be deceiving!
Most people think of avocados as a vegetable. However, avocados are single-seeded berries! Berry shocking, right?
Avocados comprise a fleshy pulp that surrounds a single seed; this is the main criterion that classifies them as a berry.
Okra
So, what makes okras a vegetable?
Okras are a member of the Malvaceae family (or mallow family) and grow from the ovary of the Abelmoschus esculentus flower. These okras contain plenty of seeds, which can germinate to produce more okra plants. So, by this definition, okra is generally a fruit.
Peppers
Yes, it feels illegal to call pepper a fruit!
But, just because these peppers are a little on the ‘hotter’ side (all thanks to the chemical capsaicin!), it doesn’t mean they can’t be a fruit!
Peppers belong to the Solanaceae family. The reason why it is considered a fruit is that peppers contain seeds, which can be used to produce a flower, which finally becomes a pepper!
So, whether you’re talking about jalapeno or bell peppers, they’re all (botanically) fruits!
Beans
Baked beans are the heart of English breakfast. They are often served with piping hot croissants, decadent jams, and salted butter.
Beans are legumes with seeds coming from a flowering plant. Therefore, in a botanical context, beans are categorized as fruits.
This fruit is full of nutrition and has the right amount of protein, vitamins, and fiber to help with digestion, lower blood sugar, and enhance bone development.
Ask Away: The FAQ Section
Are there any fruits or vegetables that are bad for you?
Potatoes are rich in carbohydrates, melons have a high glycemic index, and bean sprouts are laden with disease-causing pathogens. Kale is a super green but kale crops are sprayed with excessive pesticides. Similarly, other fruits and vegetables that are not considered very healthy include corn, coconut, and mangoes.
What fruits and vegetables should I feed my pet?
There are numerous fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants and minerals; these nutrients are beneficial for your pet’s health. These include apples, berries, broccoli, banana, Brussel sprouts, and celery.
Which vegetables and fruits help you lose weight?
Tomatoes, Guava, Strawberries, Kiwis, and Apples are excellent sources of essential fibers that induce healthy gut movement and may possibly aid weight loss.