Is the Tomato a Fruit or Vegetable?

Marc · 08-08-2007, 03:30 PM

There's often confusion over whether the tomato is a fruit or vegetable. Even though the tomato is a fruit, it is usually treated like a vegetable by chefs.

The reason the tomato is technically a fruit is because it contains seeds. Vegetables do not contain seeds. Guess what? Because of their seeds, cucumbers and squash are fruits as well!

Here's a good explanation about the confusion from AskOxford.com:

The confusion about 'fruit' and 'vegetable' arises because of the differences in usage between scientists and cooks. Scientifically speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit. True fruits are developed from the ovary in the base of the flower, and contain the seeds of the plant (though cultivated forms may be seedless) ... As far as cooking is concerned, some things which are strictly fruits may be called 'vegetables' because they are used in savoury rather than sweet cooking.

ambergirl · 08-08-2007, 05:18 PM

I feel smarter now. lol

Cherry-Bomb Productions · 08-08-2007, 07:22 PM

Tomatoes are definitely fruit,a good example of a vegetable would be someone who works at the DMV...

08-08-2007, 03:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
Marc Administrator GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The hearts of women everywhere. Age: 28 Posts: 2,705 Rep Power: 47	Is the Tomato a Fruit or Vegetable? There's often confusion over whether the tomato is a fruit or vegetable. Even though the tomato is a fruit, it is usually treated like a vegetable by chefs. The reason the tomato is technically a fruit is because it contains seeds. Vegetables do not contain seeds. Guess what? Because of their seeds, cucumbers and squash are fruits as well! Here's a good explanation about the confusion from AskOxford.com: The confusion about 'fruit' and 'vegetable' arises because of the differences in usage between scientists and cooks. Scientifically speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit. True fruits are developed from the ovary in the base of the flower, and contain the seeds of the plant (though cultivated forms may be seedless) ... As far as cooking is concerned, some things which are strictly fruits may be called 'vegetables' because they are used in savoury rather than sweet cooking. __________________ GCB Myspace Need Guitar Tabs? Need Song Lyrics?

08-08-2007, 05:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
ambergirl Productive GCB Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Escatawpa, MS Age: 29 Posts: 1,874 Rep Power: 44	I feel smarter now. lol __________________ You've Got Questions. We've Got Ambergirl. www.myspace.com/pajamasakapj

08-08-2007, 07:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
Cherry-Bomb Productions MODERATOR BY DAY / NINJA BY NIGHT GCB Senior Citizen Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: A Padded Cell Posts: 2,407 Rep Power: 42	Tomatoes are definitely fruit,a good example of a vegetable would be someone who works at the DMV... __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- www.myspace.com/cherry_bomb_productions www.myspace.com/octavedownband Run your fingers through my soul. For once, just once, feel exactly what I feel, believe what I believe, perceive as I perceive, look, experience, examine, and for once; just once, understand.”