Is an orange a fruit or a vegetable?

An orange is a fruit, not a vegetable. This is a generally accepted fact based on botanical definitions and classifications. In the following article, we will take a closer look at why an orange is classified as a fruit and what is the difference between fruits and vegetables.

What is a fruit?

A fruit is a part of a plant that develops from a flower and contains seeds. The main function of the fruit is to protect the seeds and help them spread. There are many types of fruits and they can be divided into different types such as berries, stone berries and nuts. An orange belongs to berries, more precisely, it is a citrus fruit.

What is a vegetable?

Vegetables are parts of a plant that are used for food, but they are not fruits. Vegetables include, for example, roots, stems, leaves and flowers. Examples of vegetables are carrot (root), celery (stem), spinach (leaves) and broccoli (florets).

Properties of an orange

An orange is a citrus fruit that belongs to the Rutaceae family. It is a round and orange colored fruit with juicy pods and seeds inside. Oranges are known for their high vitamin C content and sweet, slightly sour taste. They are popular both eaten fresh and as juice.

Why is an orange a fruit?

An orange meets all the definitions of a fruit. It develops from the flower of the orange tree and contains seeds that are inside the fruit. This distinguishes it from vegetables, which are other parts of a plant, such as roots or leaves. From a botanical point of view, an orange is clearly a fruit.

Summary

An orange is a fruit because it develops from a flower and contains seeds. This distinguishes it from vegetables, which are other parts of the plant. Oranges are nutritious and versatile fruits that are widely used in various dishes and drinks.

For more information about fruits and vegetables, you can read for example Britannica and Healthline.