We are taught that the sky is blue, grass is green, and clouds are white, right? Why don't we question it? Well, that's what we've always known.
My roommate brought home a huge watermelon the other day and told me it reminded her of a cucumber, so I googled "are a cucumber and watermelon related?" Come to find out, a cucumber and watermelon are part of the same family, but are not necessarily "similar", except for one aspect. They are both technically considered a fruit.
You heard that right...a fruit.
I began to think, what other food items I know as vegetables are actually a fruit? What fruits are actually vegetables? What is the difference between the two?
Scientists say that a "fruit" is the part of a plant that bears seeds and develops from the ovary of a flowering plant.
Scientists say that "vegetable" is all other plant parts, such as roots, leaves, stems, and even the flower bud.
Here are some common food items that have deceived us all.
1. A tomato is a fruit.
Okay, we will start off with an easy one, because most people know that a tomato is a fruit. If you can't get on board, then look to the Supreme Court. In 1893, the case Nix v. Hedden actually proved that a tomato is indeed a fruit.
2. An avocado is a fruit.
3. A cucumber is a fruit.
Time to start blowing your mind. A cucumber is a fruit, thanks to the seeds that run down the middle. So if you're wondering about pickles, yep. Fruit.
5. A bell pepper is a fruit.
6. A pumpkin is a fruit.
Pumpkin Pie or Fruit Pie?
7. A butternut squash is a fruit.
Saying this is a vegetable is squash, it's a fruit!
8. An olive is a fruit.
Yep, you are putting fruit in your martinis.
9. Peas are fruit.
Peas are fruits? What...
10. Beans, grains, sunflower seeds, and nuts are fruit.
They aren't sweet, but they are fruits.
11. A corn kernel is a fruit.
Wait...this is getting weird.
11. Watermelon is a berry.
A berry is "a fleshy fruit that has multiple seeds on the inside, embedded in the flesh of the ovary", so that means watermelon is a berry.
12. So is an eggplant.
Fruits are sweet, chili peppers are spicy, chili peppers are fruits
14. Bananas? Berry.
Wait...what?
15. A strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry is NOT a Berry.
These three "fruits" don't come from a single ovary, therefore they are not considered "berries". They are produced by an "enlarged stem end, in which are partially embedded in the many true fruits, called seeds."
16. Peanuts...not a nut.
They are legumes, you can exit this article now
Mind blown, right? If you ever need something to argue about around the dinner table, here are some options for you.
And if you want more information or proof that this information is true, check out these articles:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/09/surprisin...
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrit...
