Are Mushrooms a Fruit or Vegetable?
The debate over whether mushrooms are a fruit or vegetable has been going on for some time, and both sides make valid arguments. It may surprise some people to know that scientifically speaking, mushrooms are neither fruits nor vegetables.
What are Mushrooms?
Mushrooms are classified as fungi because they belong to the fungi kingdom. They contain neither chlorophyll (which is found in plants) nor seeds (which are found in fruits).
Fruits vs Vegetables
The main difference between fruits and vegetables lies in their biological make-up. Fruits are developed from the ovary of a flowering plant, while vegetables are all other parts of the plant, including weeds. The technical definition of a vegetable is ‘any part of a plant used for food’ and a fruit is ‘the ripened ovary of a plant’.
So Are Mushrooms Fruis or Vegetables?
Neither. Mushrooms are neither fruits nor vegetables as they do not have a ripened ovary nor any other edible parts of the plant.
What About Eating Mushrooms?
Mushrooms can be eaten like vegetables in a variety of dishes, from stir-fries to soups, but they are also often used as part of a dish in conjunction with other ingredients, rather than as the main event.
Conclusion
When it comes down to it, mushrooms are neither fruits nor vegetables. They are fungi, and should be treated differently in terms of their culinary uses and in their nutritional benefits.
Fruits
- Develop from the ovary of a flowering plant.
- Have chlorophyll.
- Contains seeds.
- Have ripened ovary.
Vegetables
- Develop from all parts of the plant, including weeds.
- Do not contain chlorophyll.
- Do not have seeds.
- Do not have a ripened ovary.
