Is tomato a fruit or vegetable yahoo answers

In the world of food, there are many plants most people consider vegetables that are actually fruits, botanically speaking. The most famous example is probably the tomato. Its status as a fruit or a vegetable was so contentious that in the Supreme Court had to weigh in and settle the issue once and for all. What it comes down to isn't sweetness, but seeds.

And while your elementary-school teacher or know-it-all friend may have informed you that tomatoes are technically fruits, the answer isn't so clear-cut. In reality, tomatoes are both fruits and vegetables at the same time. The explanation lies in the two different ways that "fruit" is defined. First, it is true that scientifically speaking, tomatoes are fruits. According to Merriam-Webster, a fruit is "the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant. That definition includes apples, tomatoes, and anything else that grows from a plant and contains seeds. Cucumbers, peppers, pumpkins, and avocados are all fruits too, according to science.

Is tomato a fruit or vegetable yahoo answers

A vegetable , meanwhile, is a usually herbaceous plant such as the cabbage , bean, or potato grown for an edible part that is usually eaten as part of a meal. Yes, science nerds, a tomato is technically a fruit. It meets all the botanical criteria for fruits:. Formed from flowers? In , the United States Supreme Court legally declared that tomatoes are vegetables. The case was a little more complicated than fruits vs. He argued that tomatoes were technically fruits, so they should not be subject to the tax. The judges disagreed, ruling that in the "common language of the people, whether sellers or consumers of provisions," tomatoes are vegetables. The reason being, tomatoes are usually treated like vegetables in cooking. Tomatoes are often paired with savory foods like meats, vegetables, and cheeses, and are used in pasta dishes, soups, stews, sauces, and more. Nutritionists tend to also ignore the botanical definition in favor of the legal one because tomatoes lack the abundance of fructose sugar found in many fruits like oranges and apples , according to Mental Floss. This should be a cut- and-dried issue from now on, right?

The explanation lies in the two different ways that "fruit" is defined. Fruit vs.

The tomato is a versatile food found in many types of cuisines internationally. They can be incorporated into a number of main dishes, side dishes and even beverages. You can trace the origin of tomatoes back to South America thousands of years ago, where wild tomato species grew in Ecuador, Peru, northern Chile, and the Galapagos Islands. Despite our growing knowledge about the origins, culinary uses and health benefits of tomatoes, we continue to ask the age-old question — are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable? We commonly refer to tomatoes as a vegetable due to their use in savory dishes, but it is indeed a fruit. To understand why tomatoes are a fruit, we must start with defining the botanical classifications for fruits and vegetables. Fruit-bearing is a part of the natural life cycle of a flowering plant.

You say tomato is a fruit. Your friend claims tomato is a vegetable. Who is right? Both of you! Tl;dr: A tomato is a fruit, but it is usually considered a vegetable. The broad definition of a vegetable is an edible plant or portion of a plant.

Is tomato a fruit or vegetable yahoo answers

There are different ways to classify or categorize plants and plant structures. We eat many plant parts, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, seeds, and fruit. The root is the edible portion of carrots, radishes, beets, and parsnips. Asparagus is an example of a stem that is consumed. Plants grown for their edible leaves include lettuce and spinach. The flower is the edible portion of broccoli and cauliflower. Corn is an example of a seed that is eaten.

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Tomatoes are both a vegetable and a fruit. Executive Lifestyle. But what many people don't know is that in the United States, tomatoes are legally vegetables. That's right, one of America's favorite vegetables is really a fruit in disguise. I don't see myself throwing one into a smoothie anytime soon, though. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the United States, making it a significant public health concern. This should be a cut- and-dried issue from now on, right? Tomatoes differed from other fruits because they are served with the main meal instead of dessert, and the public already generally thought of tomatoes as a vegetable. Create profiles for personalised advertising. But think about it. So scientifically, fruits don't have to be sweet, but in the kitchen, most people would classify the fruits that fall on the savory side, like tomatoes, as vegetables. Close this content.

Everybody knows the difference between a fruit and a vegetable, right?

We commonly refer to tomatoes as a vegetable due to their use in savory dishes, but it is indeed a fruit. Although both sides cited dictionary definitions of the two words, the court sided unanimously with TeamVegetable. They can be incorporated into a number of main dishes, side dishes and even beverages. These may surprise you. I've never seen them eaten raw. Tomatoes can be juicy, sweet and enjoyed raw. One adult portion of a tomato is a medium sized tomato or 7 cherry tomatoes, remember to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables so you can reach your daily 5-a-day. Copy Link. John Nix was founder of one of the largest produce sellers at the time in New York City and filed a claim against Edward L. Nutritionists recognize the terms as they are commonly used, and tomatoes are listed as a vegetable under USDA guidelines.