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What is a Fruit?

OK... fruits are confusing! watermelon? strawberry? tomato? what the heck is the difference between a fruit, melon, gourd, berry, vegetable, etc?

Here’s a quick breakdown to help clear things up:

1. 
   apples
   Fruit: Scientifically speaking, a fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant, usually containing seeds. This includes things like apples, cherries, and tomatoes. Yes, tomatoes are technically fruits because they develop from the flower of the plant and contain seeds.
   
   So ask yourself... did it come from a flower? does it have seeds?
   
   
2. 
   Berries
   Berry: In botanical terms, a berry is a simple fruit with seeds and pulp produced from the ovary of a single flower. It is fleshy throughout, except for the seeds. Examples include grapes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and kiwis.
   
   Surprisingly, strawberries and raspberries are not true berries and bananas are!
3. 
   Aggregate Fruits
   Aggregate fruits: Now, strawberries are an interesting case because they are not true berries in the botanical sense. They are actually derived from a single flower with multiple ovaries, making it an aggregate fruit. What we commonly eat is the "receptacle" of the flower, which is why the seeds are on the outside.
   
   In botanical terms, an aggregate fruit is one that develops from a single flower that has multiple ovaries. Each of these ovaries develops into a small fruit, which are known as "drupelets."
   
   Aggregate fruits can often be identified because they have lots of tiny seeds.
4. 
   watermelon coloring pages
   Melon: Melons belong to the gourd family and are a type of fruit. They have a hard outer surface that is either smooth or netted, and a juicy interior flesh. Examples are watermelons and cantaloupes. Melons are typically large and have a water content that makes them refreshing.
5. 
   gourd
   Gourd: This group includes plants from the family Cucurbitaceae, which includes melons, but gourds are usually harder and not as commonly consumed as melons. Gourds are more often used for decoration (like in the case of decorative pumpkins) or for utility purposes (like containers).
6. 
   acorns
   Nuts: Nuts are another distinct category of fruit. They are typically the hard-shelled fruits of certain plants. Unlike grains, nuts contain a single seed where the shell does not open to release the seed naturally. They are generally high in fat and protein, making them a nutritious and energy-dense food choice.
7. 
   wheat
   Grains: Grains are the seeds of grasses cultivated for food. They belong to the cereal family and are a staple food in many parts of the world due to their nutritious value and versatility. Common examples include wheat, rice, oats, barley, and corn. Grains are typically high in carbohydrates and provide a significant amount of energy when consumed. They can be eaten whole, ground into flour, or used to make breads, cereals, and other processed foods.
8. 
   broccoli
   (a flower bud)
   Vegetable: This term is more culinary than botanical. Vegetables are parts of plants consumed as food that are not botanically fruits. In other words:
   
   Not a fruit or grain but part of a plant = vegetable!
   
   This includes stems (like celery), leaves (like lettuce), roots (like carrots), and even the flower buds (like broccoli).
9. 
   potatoes
   Roots: These are the part of a plant that typically grows underground, anchoring the plant and absorbing water and nutrients from the soil. Root vegetables are a type of vegetable that are harvested and consumed as food. Examples include carrots, beets, turnips, and sweet potatoes. Roots are generally rich in nutrients and carbohydrates, making them an important part of many diets around the world. They can be eaten raw, cooked, or used as flavoring in dishes.