There are plants that we would initially think are either fruits or vegetables, only to be told that they are not as we thought. Why does this confusion occur?
Regardless of where you live in the world, peaches are always considered trees, while carrots, for example, are always vegetables. This clear division applies to the vast majority of fruits and vegetables and is completely understandable.
If we look at the Venn diagram of fruits and vegetables, you will notice that the two circles overlap for a considerable part of them, while the tomato is in the middle of this division. The reason for this confusion lies in the fact that the definitions of “tree” and “vegetable” are treated differently in botany than in cooking.
A tree is a seed structure that develops from a fertilized flower, while vegetables are created from other parts of the plant, such as the root and leaves. So apples, pumpkins and tomatoes are fruits, while turnips, potatoes and watermelons are vegetables.
This division is much more diverse when viewed from a culinary perspective. Many foods that are botanically considered trees are considered vegetables in culinary terms, with tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, and cucumbers being just a few.
