Botanists say tomatoes are fruits, and many people know this. But in the United States, tomatoes are legally considered vegetables. In 1893, the Supreme Court decided that tomatoes should be classified as vegetables because of how they’re used and perceived by the public. This decision was made because vegetables were taxed at the time, unlike fruits.
Typically, fruits contain seeds and need pollination to grow, helping spread the plant species. Vegetables, on the other hand, are parts of plants like stems, leaves, roots, and bulbs that are eaten. Sometimes, there’s disagreement over classification, especially considering the sweetness or savoriness of certain fruits and vegetables.
Now, let’s explore some fruits that are commonly thought of as vegetables due to how they’re used and perceived. This list might surprise you.
Why Are Some Fruits Called Vegetables?
Have you ever wondered why we call certain fruits vegetables? The answer may be simpler than you think. These fruits, like tomatoes, eggplants, and squash, lack the sweetness associated with fruits high in natural sugars. As a result, people who prepared and cooked them decided to place them in the vegetable category. This classification grouped them with other true vegetables derived from a plant’s leaves, stalks, roots, tubers, bulbs, or even flowers, such as broccoli.
Consider a dish like ratatouille, consisting of tomatoes, eggplants, and squash. From a botanical perspective, it’s essentially a baked fruit salad. Despite being commonly perceived as vegetables, these ingredients are, in fact, fruits.
This culinary confusion arises because of their savoury taste and lower sugar content, leading to their placement in the vegetable category. So, the next time you enjoy a tomato-based dish, remember that it’s technically a fruit masquerading as a vegetable in the world of cooking traditions.
7 Fruits You Think Are Vegetables
1. Okra
In recent years, okra has gained popularity, though it hasn’t reached the trendy status of vegetables like kale or cauliflower. Nevertheless, it’s making its mark and might become the next big thing.
Interestingly, despite being commonly referred to as a vegetable, okra is technically a fruit. The whole pod, filled with seeds, is edible and can reach a length of up to seven inches. If okra continues to gain attention, it might soon be celebrated as the latest “it” fruit in the world of nutritious foods. So, keep an eye on this versatile and tasty vegetable, or should we say fruit, as it makes its way into the spotlight of healthy eating trends.
Also Read: Plant Reproduction: Definitions, Types and Examples
2. Eggplants
Eggplants are often treated as vegetables, and it’s rare to find them eaten raw. They have a savoury taste with a hint of bitterness, but they are never sweet. Interestingly, despite our perception, eggplants are not vegetables; they are fruits and, more specifically, berries—albeit unusually large ones. It might be a surprise, but envisioning tossing an eggplant into a smoothie isn’t a common thought for many.
Typically enjoyed in cooked dishes, eggplants are not commonly associated with the world of fruits or berries. Their unique classification as berries challenges our usual understanding. While they may not find their way into a fruity smoothie anytime soon, it’s intriguing to discover the botanical truth about eggplants and their berry status. Next time you prepare or enjoy an eggplant-based dish, remember that you’re actually dealing with a gigantic berry rather than a traditional vegetable.
3. Cucumbers as Fruits
Cucumbers belong to the same family as pumpkins and squash, and just like these relatives, they are considered fruits. Picture a cucumber on the vine, with a flower still connected at the end – it starts to make sense, doesn’t it?
Cucumbers, pumpkins, and squash share a close family connection, all falling under the botanical category of fruits. The resemblance becomes clear when you observe a cucumber dangling from the plant, the remnants of a flower still clinging to its end. It’s a reminder that, despite being commonly treated as vegetables in culinary contexts, cucumbers are, in fact, fruits.
The botanical definition of fruit includes any mature ovary of a flowering plant, and cucumbers fit this description. So, the next time you enjoy a crisp cucumber, remember its botanical ties to pumpkins and squash and appreciate the intriguing nature of these seemingly simple vegetables that are, in reality, fruits.
4. Olives
When it comes to olives, I used to think of them as vegetables, not fruits. However, it turns out that olives are indeed fruits because they originate from the flower of the olive tree. In the plant world, a fruit is formed from the mature ovary of a plant, and this ovary is typically located in the flower. This is why many items we commonly refer to as vegetables are technically fruits—they have their roots in the flower.
So, the next time someone asks about olives, remember that they are fruits, not vegetables. It’s all about where they come from in the plant life cycle. This insight helps us understand that even though olives may not seem like traditional fruits, they share the same botanical classification because of their origin in the olive tree’s flower.
Also Read: How to Grow Arugula in Your Garden
5. Peppers
Did you know that peppers are actually fruits? Yes, even the fiery-hot habanero! It might seem strange because we often think of fruits as sweet and juicy, like apples or strawberries. But whether it’s a mild bell pepper or a super-spicy habanero, they all come from flowers, which makes them fruits.
Take the habanero, for example. It’s incredibly hot—70 times hotter than a jalapeño! Yet, botanically speaking, it falls under the category of fruits. This might seem odd since we usually associate fruits with sweetness, but it’s true.
So, when you’re munching on a crunchy bell pepper or feeling the burn from a spicy habanero, remember that you’re actually enjoying fruits. Peppers come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of spiciness, but they all share the same botanical classification as fruits because they originate from flowers.
6. Pumpkins and Squash
Pumpkins and squash, which include zucchini or summer squash, begin their journey as fruits on a vine. These plants rely on pollination to grow. Although it might seem puzzling, fruits are essentially the “fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a flowering plant” that contains seeds. In simpler terms, when you see pumpkins and squash growing on vines, they are like the plant’s version of fruits. This process starts with a flower on the vine, and through pollination, the fruits develop.
Picture it this way: the plant’s flower gets fertilized, and the ovary (the part that holds the seeds) starts transforming into what we recognize as pumpkins or squash. So, when you think of fruits, don’t just limit yourself to the sweet and juicy ones; include these vegetables, like pumpkins and squash, in the category too. They may not taste like typical fruits, but they share the same growth process, originating from a flowering plant’s pollinated ovary.
7. Green Beans
Green beans might surprise you—they’re actually more like fruit than vegetables. When kids don’t want to eat their greens, parents often remind them to eat their vegetables. But what if we told you green beans are technically fruits? It’s true! While they may not taste sweet like traditional fruits, green beans contain seeds inside their pods, just like many fruits do. These seeds help the plant reproduce, which is a key characteristic of fruit.
Think about it: when you bite into a green bean, you’re actually biting into a pod that holds seeds. These seeds have the potential to grow into new plants if they’re replanted. That’s why, from a botanical perspective, green beans are classified as fruits.
So, next time you’re trying to convince a picky eater to enjoy their green beans, you can tell them they’re eating fruit! It might just make them more interested in giving these nutritious pods a try. After all, who can resist a tasty fruit?
