Is an apple a vegetable?
Is an apple a vegetable? This question may sound simple, but behind it lies an interesting discussion about botanical and culinary classifications. In this article, we will look at what is meant by vegetable and fruit, and find out which category an apple falls into.
What are vegetables and fruits?
Botanically, a fruit is the part of a plant that develops from a flower and contains seeds. Vegetables, on the other hand, are other parts of the plant, such as roots, leaves and stems. This definition is important when considering which category an apple falls into.
Apple from a botanical point of view
Botanically, an apple is a fruit. It develops from the flower of the apple tree and contains seeds that are inside the fruit. This makes the apple a fruit in the botanical sense. Apple seeds are inside the fruit and come from the flower, which meets the definition of a fruit.
Culinary perspective
In the culinary world, fruits and vegetables are often classified based on their taste and purpose. The fruits are usually sweet and are used in desserts, snacks or sweet dishes. Vegetables, on the other hand, are often less sweet and are used in main courses, salads and savory dishes.
Also in this sense, an apple is classified as a fruit because it is sweet and is often used on its own as a snack or in sweet dishes such as pies and salads.
Summary
In summary, an apple is not a vegetable. Botanically, it is a fruit because it develops from a flower and contains seeds. Also in a culinary sense, an apple is classified as a fruit based on its sweetness and purpose.
You can read more information on the subject from, for example, the following sources:
