Is Celery a Fruit or a Vegetable?
Celery is an incredibly versatile ingredient that is used in a variety of recipes from soups to salads and more. While you may be familiar with the flavor of celery and its uses in cooking, you may have wondered if this light green stalk is really a fruit or a vegetable.
What is a Fruit?
It can be confusing to determine what exactly makes a food a fruit or a vegetable. Fruits are typically defined as the seed-bearing parts of a flowering plant. This usually implies that the edible part of the plant has an enclosed seed. Examples of fruits include:
- Berries – blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, etc.
- Citrus fruits – oranges, lemons, limes, etc.
- Tropical fruits – apples, bananas, mangoes, etc.
- Melons – watermelons, cantaloupes, etc.
What is a Vegetable?
Vegetables on the other hand, are defined as the edible parts of a plant that are not considered to be fruits. These parts of plants can range from leaves, to stems, to roots. Examples of vegetables include:
- Leafy vegetables – lettuce, spinach, cabbage, etc.
- Cruciferous vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, etc.
- Root vegetables – carrots, potatoes, onions, etc.
- Legumes – peas, beans, lentils, etc.
Conclusion
So the answer to the question, “Is celery a fruit or a vegetable?” is that it is a vegetable! Celery is a stalk vegetable, meaning it comes from the stem of the celery plant. While it may resemble a fruit, the fact that it does not have an enclosed seed is what makes it a vegetable!
