| Many people are surprisingly uncertain about the | | | | and vegetables. And this is where the definition |
| difference between fruits and vegetables. If you go | | | | becomes tricky and even somewhat arbitrary. In |
| around and ask people what the distinction is, it's | | | | some cases, we tend to categorize things simply |
| funny how many different answers you'll get. Some | | | | based on their taste and the foods that they go |
| people say that fruits have seeds at their centers, | | | | with. That's why it's important to note that culinary |
| while vegetables don't. Some say fruits are sweet, | | | | definitions are far less technical than the botanic |
| while vegetables aren't. And other people will contend | | | | definitions. The classifications are more-or-less made |
| that fruits come from flowering plants, while | | | | from scratch, and we tend to apply them however |
| vegetables are all other plant foods. So, what's the | | | | we feel like it. |
| real difference, and why does it matter? | | | | There are certain areas where there are no shades |
| Botanic Definitions | | | | of gray. When it comes to vegetables, there are |
| Part of the confusion comes from the fact that | | | | foods that no doubt fit into the category, including all |
| there are different technical ways of defining fruits | | | | stem, leaf, and root vegetables such as broccoli, |
| and vegetables. There are the botanic definitions, and | | | | celery, cauliflower, lettuce, spinach, leeks, onions, |
| then there are the culinary definitions. They are the | | | | asparagus, potatoes, carrots, turnips, garlic, and |
| same in some areas, but in other respects they're | | | | beets. |
| vastly different. | | | | In the fruit category, foods that definitely fit are |
| Botanically, fruits do come from flowering plants, but | | | | apples, citrus fruits, berries, melons, strawberries, |
| there are also vegetables that come from flowering | | | | cherries, and all fruits similar to these. This probably |
| plants. The difference is this: If it contains the seeds | | | | isn't telling you anything you didn't already know. |
| of a flowering plant, or if it is the seeds, it's a fruit. | | | | When you hear the word "fruit," these are what you |
| Basically, fruits are essential parts of a flowering | | | | think of. |
| plant's reproductive system. Obviously, many foods | | | | But what about the middle-ground fruits and |
| typically classified as vegetables fit into this category, | | | | vegetables? Technically, things like tomatoes, |
| including beans, corn, tomatoes, pumpkins, artichokes, | | | | eggplants, and peppers are more closely related to |
| and peppers. | | | | grapes and berries than they are to stalk- and |
| According to the botanic definition, vegetables are all | | | | leaf-vegetables. And then there's stuff like avocados, |
| edible parts of plants, meaning that all fruits would be | | | | squash, pumpkins, and cucumbers, all of which are |
| considered vegetables. If you don't believe me, look | | | | fruits, even though they're typically thought of as |
| up "vegetable" in the dictionary, and you'll likely find a | | | | vegetables. |
| definition that's something like, "a plant cultivated for | | | | Ultimately, although it's an interesting question, the |
| food." All fruits fit into this category. | | | | distinction doesn't matter. Sure, there are technical |
| Culinary Definitions | | | | definitions for botanists, but when it comes to food, |
| But, unless you're a botanist, it's likely that you're | | | | the classifications of fruits and vegetables are less |
| mostly concerned about the culinary uses of fruits | | | | important than how we actually use them. |