Everyone has probably heard that strawberries are not berries, but actually nuts from a botanical point of view. But did you also know that the popular banana is a berry fruit instead? We'll tell you why in this article.
Are bananas berries?
In fact, bananasfrom a botanical point of view are berries, just like melons or cucumbers - and in contrast to fruits such as strawberries or raspberries, which are colloquially referred to as "berries". The classification is not based on the appearance of the fruits, but rather on their structure.
Why are bananas berries?
Botanists consider fruits - like bananas - to be berries if they meet the followingcriteria:
- are formed from one or more carpels fused together
- have several seeds enclosed in pulp
- The pulp and pericarp are juicy or fleshy
The following is also characteristic of berriesStructure:
- Endocarp: inner part with seeds
- Mesocarp: fleshy middle part
- Exocarp: outer skin
All of this applies to bananas, which is why the fruits are classified as berries. But the bananas from the supermarket haveno seeds, you might now object? This is true, but only applies to special cultivated varieties: Original bananas have large, hard seeds inside. However, these were bred out because they interfere with eating.
Is the banana a stone fruit?
Bananas have seeds inside, but they are not woody. That's why the yellow fruits arenot stone fruit, because the seeds inside them, which are also surrounded by pulp, must be woody and therefore hard. This is the case with cherries, plums or even peaches.
Is the banana a tropical fruit?
If you take it very seriously, tropical fruits actually only includeCitrus fruitssuch as lemons, oranges, grapefruit and the like. By the way, these are berries just like the banana! Traditionally, otherexotic fruit varieties, including bananas, kiwi, pineapple and avocado, are also included.
Tip
Do bananas count as fruit or vegetables?
This question is not that easy to answer because, depending on the variety, bananas can be counted as both fruit and vegetables. The yellow dessert or fruit banana, for example, tastes sweet and is therefore part of the fruit. The starchy plantains, on the other hand, are vegetables and, like our potatoes, are prepared as a side vegetable or filling accompaniment to various dishes.
