So, you’ve heard someone tell you that tomatoes are berries?
That sounds strange, doesn’t it?
I believe that no one agrees with this when first hearing it. But it is true!
There is valid evidence to say that they’re berries and I will explain why, but first, we need to talk about other kinds of berries.
Berries are different from vegetables. What’s the difference between them? Well, for one thing, vegetables come from plants like lettuce and spinach while berries grow on bushes full of leaves.
They also taste different as well as have different uses besides just food; some can make medicine or even be used as dyes for clothes or paintings.
Why is a tomato considered a berry?
Tomatoes are berries because of how they grow.
Tomatoes have 3 layers of matter inside them, and the seeds are in the middle layer. All berries grow on a plant, and they come from just one flower ovary. Other examples of berries include blueberries, bananas, and grapes.
Tomatoes are sometimes mistaken as vegetables. They come from plants just like other vegetables, including eggplant, bell peppers, cucumbers, paprika, and peas. But all these veggies should technically be called fruits.
These are not the fruits we usually see. For example, oranges and apples grow on trees. They are scrumptious and can be used in desserts.
There is some confusion about whether tomatoes should be called berries. Some people think that because strawberries are berries, so tomatoes must be.
But, those berries are different than what we usually think of as “berry” since they can be found in the grocery store and in our kitchens.
The real berries are called botanical berries and they come from plants. Tomatoes are botanical berries, but strawberries are not.
Bananas and raspberries (or other fruit) can be called “berries” because they come from plants too. Botany is the study of plants and it can be very picky about what it considers a berry!
People don’t usually classify tomatoes as berries. And they are often placed on the vegetable racks in the store with bell peppers and cucumbers.
FAQ’s
Are tomatoes in the berry family?
We usually say that a berry is a fruit that you eat. A berry is a small, edible fruit that comes from one plant. This means that tomatoes are berries because they come from one plant and they are small and edible.
Why are tomatoes considered berries?
Tomatoes are called berries because they grow in layers, with the seeds growing in the innermost layer. All berries have thick pulp and come from a single flower ovary.
Is a tomato a fruit or veg?
A botanist will say that anything that starts from the fertilized ovary of a flower is called fruit. This includes tomatoes as well.
Are tomatoes legally a vegetable?
The botanical definition of a tomato is that it is a fruit. But in common usage, it is called a vegetable. So the Supreme Court ruled that for customs regulations, it counts as a vegetable.
Conclusion
Tomato is scientifically a berry, and it makes sense when you think about the definition of what a berry really is.
It’s also true that tomatoes are technically fruits because they grow from fruit trees and contain seeds. This means that pumpkin pie isn’t an apple pie after all!
We hope this post has helped clear up any confusion on whether or not a tomato should be considered a fruit or not – now we’re sure there can only be one answer to the question
“Is a tomato a berry?”
Yes, tomato is most certainly a berry!