Botanical definitions are only indicative
It is not that easy to answer the question about the difference between fruits and vegetables. In such cases, mere mortals turn to highly skilled scientists in hopes of an informed answer. The botanists and food scientists are on hand with the following definitions:
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- Should you store tomatoes in the refrigerator?
fruit
Fruits that contain water and are eaten raw. When ripe, fruit is so soft that it doesn't have to be cooked. The fruits come from the fertilized flowers of perennial trees or bushes. Their natural sugar content is so high that they taste sweet without adding granulated sugar.
vegetables
All edible parts of plants, such as roots, leaves or stems. Most vegetables have annual fruit and are grown anew every year. Even when fully ripe, vegetables are so hard that they are unsuitable for consumption raw. Only through the preparation, such as boiling or steaming, can people eat vegetables.
The definitions clearly apply to cherries, apples and peaches. There is no need for discussion when assigning Brussels sprouts, leeks or carrots. Tomatoes, however, defy precise identification. The fruits are mostly consumed like fruit. The green parts of the plant are even poisonous for humans and animals due to the solanine content. At the same time, it should not be overlooked that it is annual planted will.
Smart backdoor out of the dilemma: fruit vegetables
Since tomatoes meet the requirements for assignment to both fruit and vegetables, a solution was needed. The answer is as simple as it is convincing: Tomatoes are fruit vegetables.
- the tomato develops from a pollinated blossom
- only the fruits can harvested and be consumed
- since tomato plants are not hardy, they become annual in bed, Glasshouse and cultivated buckets
They line up next to pumpkins, peppers and legumes, which also elude the definitions of fruit and vegetables. An influence on the Cultivation of tomatoes in the hobby garden does not have that. As a fruit vegetable, the paradise apples will react indignantly to a planted neighborhood with red cabbage, fennel, sweet corn, strawberries and potatoes.
Tips & Tricks
The specification of tomatoes as a fruit vegetable is now also taken into account in the lunar calendar. If hobby gardeners orient themselves according to the earth's trench, they will find the most favorable days for them sowing, Planting and Finishing also in the fruit vegetables category.
