Is tomato a fruit or vegetable yahoo answers

In the world of food, there are many plants most people consider vegetables that are actually fruits, botanically speaking. The most famous example is probably the tomato. Its status as a fruit or a vegetable was so contentious that in the Supreme Court had to weigh in and settle the issue once and for all. What it comes down to isn't sweetness, but seeds.

Many of us can easily distinguish the differences between most fruit and vegetables but when it comes to the age-old question of, is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable, we are not really sure what to answer! Look no further, because the answer is, tomatoes are technically both! While fruits and vegetables both count as part of our recommended 5-a-day , fruits and vegetables have distinct differences. A nutritionist, chef or even your grandma, would use the culinary classification system, that defines fruits and vegetables in a slightly different manner, basing it on the way the plants are used and their flavour profiles. Tomatoes can be juicy, sweet and enjoyed raw. Yet, we also prepare tomatoes in savoury dishes, which is why we usually classify tomatoes as vegetables.

Is tomato a fruit or vegetable yahoo answers

A vegetable , meanwhile, is a usually herbaceous plant such as the cabbage , bean, or potato grown for an edible part that is usually eaten as part of a meal. Yes, science nerds, a tomato is technically a fruit. It meets all the botanical criteria for fruits:. Formed from flowers? In , the United States Supreme Court legally declared that tomatoes are vegetables. The case was a little more complicated than fruits vs. He argued that tomatoes were technically fruits, so they should not be subject to the tax. The judges disagreed, ruling that in the "common language of the people, whether sellers or consumers of provisions," tomatoes are vegetables. The reason being, tomatoes are usually treated like vegetables in cooking. Tomatoes are often paired with savory foods like meats, vegetables, and cheeses, and are used in pasta dishes, soups, stews, sauces, and more. Nutritionists tend to also ignore the botanical definition in favor of the legal one because tomatoes lack the abundance of fructose sugar found in many fruits like oranges and apples , according to Mental Floss. This should be a cut- and-dried issue from now on, right?

Its classification was important because it determined the amount of taxes that importers of fruits and vegetables would have to pay on tomatoes.

The tomato is a versatile food found in many types of cuisines internationally. They can be incorporated into a number of main dishes, side dishes and even beverages. You can trace the origin of tomatoes back to South America thousands of years ago, where wild tomato species grew in Ecuador, Peru, northern Chile, and the Galapagos Islands. Despite our growing knowledge about the origins, culinary uses and health benefits of tomatoes, we continue to ask the age-old question — are tomatoes a fruit or vegetable? We commonly refer to tomatoes as a vegetable due to their use in savory dishes, but it is indeed a fruit. To understand why tomatoes are a fruit, we must start with defining the botanical classifications for fruits and vegetables.

Rare deal alert! It's a food debate as old as time: What, exactly, is a tomato? According to the United States Department of Agriculture , botanically, a tomato is a fruit. This is because fruits contain seeds. Merriam Webster is in agreement:. Yes, a tomato is a fruit. And a banana is a berry. But with its low sugar content and vitamin profile, tomatoes are considered by many nutritionists to be a vegetable. For example, the tomato is listed as a veggie on the USDA food guidelines for healthy eating.

Is tomato a fruit or vegetable yahoo answers

The tomato. It seems like a vegetable. It feels like a vegetable. It tastes like a vegetable. As a base for chilis and stews, soups and sauces, it requires no explanation. Pureed and simmered with onions, garlic and herbs, and ladled over your favorite pasta, it makes perfect sense. Can you honestly say the same about apples or bananas? And yet, as you probably know, or have perhaps just discovered tomatoes are technically fruits.

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If you're feeling confused, you can also think of fruits as any " fleshy or dry ripened ovary of a flowering plant " that encloses seeds. Recent Posts. Formed from flowers? Want to know the best time to buy fruits and vegetables? To understand why tomatoes are a fruit, we must start with defining the botanical classifications for fruits and vegetables. No matter if you call tomatoes a fruit or vegetable, they are a delicious addition to meals. The confusion arises because of the two different ways we define "fruit" — one is a scientific term and one is culinary. Develop and improve services. Roasted Tomato, Salami, and Mozzarella Pasta. You can trace the origin of tomatoes back to South America thousands of years ago, where wild tomato species grew in Ecuador, Peru, northern Chile, and the Galapagos Islands. Hedden, the Collector of the Port of New York, for having to unfairly pay the vegetable tax on tomatoes. But scientifically, neither of those categories are right. Trayron Milton remains in jail as of Monday afternoon. Tomatoes differed from other fruits because they are served with the main meal instead of dessert, and the public already generally thought of tomatoes as a vegetable. You can find out more about Melissa at www.

You say tomato is a fruit. Your friend claims tomato is a vegetable.

Hedden, the Collector of the Port of New York, for having to unfairly pay the vegetable tax on tomatoes. No matter if you call tomatoes a fruit or vegetable, they are a delicious addition to meals. Years prior to the initial filing of the suit, President Chester A. That's right, one of America's favorite vegetables is really a fruit in disguise. Close icon Two crossed lines that form an 'X'. Davis dominated a beleaguered Timberwolves front line. Packed with fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, okra is one of the most nutritious fruits out there. Recent Posts. Tomatoes are often paired with savory foods like meats, vegetables, and cheeses, and are used in pasta dishes, soups, stews, sauces, and more. Who cares, though, when tomatoes taste as good as they do! Newsletter Sign Up. Not only are eggplants fruits, they're technically classified as a berry. For example, the botanical classification is useful for a botanist when they want to discover the origins of tomatoes, help them identify different varieties of tomatoes, or understand how to grow and harvest various tomatoes. Updated April 11, at PM.