The difference between vegetable and fruits?

The distinction between vegetables and fruits can be tricky, and there's no universally accepted scientific definition. Here's a breakdown of the common ways people categorize them:

Botanically:

* Fruit: A fruit is the mature ovary of a flowering plant, containing seeds. It develops from the flower after pollination and fertilization. This definition encompasses a wider range of items than what we typically consider fruits.

* Vegetable: Vegetables are all other edible parts of the plant, including roots, stems, leaves, bulbs, and flowers.

Culinary/Everyday Use:

* Fruit: Sweet, usually eaten raw, and often used in desserts. They typically have a higher sugar content.

* Vegetable: Savory, usually cooked, and used in main courses or as side dishes. They tend to have lower sugar content and a higher water content.

Examples:

* Botanically a fruit: Tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, green beans, squash, peas, eggplant, peppers

* Botanically a vegetable: Carrots, potatoes, onions, broccoli, spinach, celery, lettuce

The Catch:

* Botanically a tomato is a fruit, but it's usually treated as a vegetable in culinary settings.

* Culinary terms are not always consistent. For example, rhubarb is often used in desserts, but it's technically a vegetable.

In essence, the distinction is more about how we use these foods rather than a rigid scientific classification. Both fruits and vegetables are essential parts of a healthy diet!