Is Chocolate a Fruit or Vegetable?
Chocolate has always been a debate amongst those looking to determine whether it is a fruit or a vegetable. It may appear to have features that are similar to a fruit, with its sugary sweetness and flavorful taste. It may also resemble a vegetable with its seed-like shape.
In fact, chocolate is neither a vegetable nor a fruit. It is classified as a confectionary item due to its origins.
What is Chocolate?
Chocolate is a food item that comes from the cocoa bean that is grown from the cacao tree. The tree’s reproductive structure produces a pod, which contains aromatic beans. When the beans are harvested, they are processed into cocoa and then combined with other ingredients to create chocolate.
Fruit Vs. Vegetable
Although chocolate has characteristics of both a fruit and vegetable, it is scientifically classified as neither. In essence, a fruit is considered to be an edible part of a plant that contains a seed. While chocolate comes from the cocoa plant, it is not actually the seed itself. Vegetables are parts of the plant that are edible, however again, this is not the case with chocolate because it is not the edible part of the plant.
Chocolate is a Confectionary Item
Therefore, chocolate is not a fruit, vegetable, or a nut. Chocolate is actually classified as a confectionary item due to the way it is processed and made from the cocoa bean. It has the ability to be melted and formed into various shapes and flavors, making it a special type of food.
Benefits of Eating Chocolate
Chocolate may not be a fruit or vegetable but it certainly has its benefits. Eating chocolate can have many positive effects on the body, such as:
- Reducing stress and anxiety levels
- Improving cognitive function
- Increasing serotonin levels
- Decreasing inflammation
Therefore, while chocolate may not technically be categorized as a fruit or vegetable, its numerous health benefits certainly make it an excellent snack choice!
