Whats the difference between a vegetable and a fruit?
http://www.diffen.com/difference/Fruit_vs_Vegetable
a fruit has seeds, and the edible part we eat is surrounding the seeds.
Fruits: tomatoes, eggplant, squash, watermelon, apples, peppers, okra.
vegetables: spinach, turnip greens, parsnip, radish, broccoli (think about that, we eat the flowers and stems).
The difference between a vegetable and a fruit lies in their botanical classification and how they are formed. To understand the difference, we need to consider a few aspects:
1. Botanical Classification: Fruits are the mature ovaries of flowering plants. They contain seeds and are the result of fertilization. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible parts of plants that are not classified as fruits.
2. Seed Dispersal: Fruits are designed to aid in seed dispersal. They often have a fleshy or protective outer layer to attract animals that consume them, and the seeds are passed through the animal's digestive system, aiding in the plant's distribution. Vegetables, on the other hand, generally serve other functions for the plant, such as storing nutrients or providing support.
3. Taste: Fruits generally have a sweet or tangy flavor due to their sugar content, which helps in attracting animals. Vegetables have a wider range of flavors, including savory, bitter, or even bland tastes.
It's worth noting that some foods can be both a fruit or a vegetable depending on the perspective. For example, a tomato is a fruit botanically but is commonly considered a vegetable in culinary contexts.
To determine whether a particular food item is a fruit or a vegetable, it's best to consult its botanical classification. This can be done by researching the plant's reproductive parts and examining whether it develops from the ovary of a flower and contains seeds.