Why is a cucumber considered a vegetable over a fruit?
Mar 22, 2019 · Scientifically speaking, cucumbers are fruits because they grow from the flowers of the plant and hold the seeds. Vegetables in a culinary sense Much of the confusion around the classification of...
Is a cucumber considered a vegetable or fruit?
Mar 04, 2020 · The botanical classification: Cucumbers are fruit. A botanist would use the botanical classification, which is based on the plant’s physiological characteristics, like the structure, function and organisation of the plant. 1 Therefore, botanically speaking, a ‘fruit’ is the seed-bearing product that grows from the ovary of a flowering plant or, in other words, a fruit is …
Is a Cumber a fruite or a vegetable?
When people ask, “Is cucumber a fruit?” The scientists answer with yes. The fruity part of a blossoming vine helps the plant to develop new generations. Thus, science has proven that cucumbers are fruits which depending on their biological purpose.
Is cucumber considered fruit because it has seeds?
Why is a cucumber not a fruit? The botanical classification: Cucumbers are fruit. A botanical fruit would have at least one seed and grow from the flower of the plant. With this definition in mind, cucumbers are classified as fruit because they contain tiny seeds in the middle and grow from the flower of the cucumber plant. Are cucumbers berries?
The botanical classification: Cucumbers are fruit
A botanist would use the botanical classification, which is based on the plant’s physiological characteristics, like the structure, function and organisation of the plant.
The Culinary Classification: Cucumbers are vegetables
A nutritionist, chef or even your grandma, would use the culinary classification system, that defines fruit and vegetables in a slightly different manner, basing it on the way the plants are used and their flavour profiles.
Botanical vs Culinary Classification
So, why can we classify cucumbers in two different ways, when it confuses us all? These definitions have their own purposes.
Cucumbers are part of your 5-a-day
For the 5-a-day recommendations, cucumbers are classified as salad vegetable, which is the culinary definition, because that is how most people learn about fruit and vegetables. One adult portion of a cucumber is 5 cm, remember to eat a wide variety of fruit and vegetables so you can reach your daily 5-a-day. 3
Summary – Cucumbers are both fruit and vegetables!
To summarise, cucumbers are usually prepared in salads or pickled despite botanically being a fruit, which is why they are often described as a vegetable from a culinary perspective.
What are Cucumbers?
Is cucumber a fruit It is a commonly demanded issue that makes people confused. Accordingly, this is a product of the Cucumis sativus vine. The plants come in two types, the small varieties as pickles and the slicing ones for fresh consumption.
Plant Definitions: Is Cucumber a Fruit or a Vegetable?
The question, is cucumber a fruit or a vegetable? Some criteria relate to different definitions when it comes to this gourd family plant. The technical meaning has a causal connection between scientific and culinary uses.
Varieties of Cucumbers
Regardless of the fact is cucumber a fruit or not, there are lots of varieties that are enjoyable for crisp salads and other tasty ideas on how to cook the plant. They are Armenian, English, Lemon, Persian, and Kirby. Those types come in various sizes and shapes.
Benefits of Cucumbers
Is cucumber a fruit? Instead of misunderstanding as a vegetable, the Cucumis sativus plant reproduces the pepo. It is rich in beneficial nutritions. Consisting of low calories, solvable fiber, and a large amount of water can help to reduce body weight.
Tasty Recipes with cucumbers
Instead of focusing on why is cucumber a fruit, try to make new delicious foods with this natural ingredient. Cook with Asian-style flavor or combine it with herbs and cheese will be an easy addition to your dishes.
Description
The cucumber is a creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows up trellises or other supporting frames, wrapping around supports with thin, spiraling tendrils. The plant may also root in a soilless medium, whereby it will sprawl along the ground in lieu of a supporting structure. The vine has large leaves that form a canopy over the fruits.
Varieties
In general cultivation, cucumbers are classified into three main cultivar groups: slicing, pickled, and seedless/burpless .
Cultivation history
Cultivated for at least 3,000 years, the cucumber originated from India, where a great many varieties have been observed, along with its closest living relative, Cucumis hystrix. It was probably introduced to Europe by the Greeks or Romans.
What is a Fruit?
Botanically, fruit can be defined as an edible part of a plant that grows out of a flower, and it has seeds. Fruit comes as a result of a ripened ovary and all its contents.
What Is A Cucumber?
Cucumbers are scientifically known as Cucumis sativus, and they come from a gourd family of plants. They originated from South East Asia but are currently grown all over the world.
Science Classification
As we defined a fruit earlier, botanically, cucumber is a fruit. Scientists describe a fruit as the edible part of a plant with seeds and grow from the ovary.
Culinary Classification
A chef or anyone who is in the culinary world will tell you that cucumber is a vegetable. Try asking your mom or anyone at home, and they will confidently say that cucumber is a vegetable.
Cultural Classification
Most cultures categories it as a vegetable. Just walk into a supermarket and try to look for a cucumber. You will find cucumbers in the vegetable section instead of the fruit section.
Horticulture Classification
In horticulture, vegetables are herbaceous, so anything that grows on herbaceous plants can be classified as a vegetable.
Slicing cucumbers
These are commonly grown throughout the world, and they are the best because they can be eaten fresh from the farm.
Overview
Description
The cucumber is a creeping vine that roots in the ground and grows up trellises or other supporting frames, wrapping around supports with thin, spiraling tendrils. The plant may also root in a soilless medium, whereby it will sprawl along the ground in lieu of a supporting structure. The vine has large leaves that form a canopy over the fruits.
Nutrition, aroma, and taste
Raw cucumber (with peel) is 95% water, 4% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contains negligible fat. A 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving provides 67 kilojoules (16 kilocalories) of food energy It has a low content of micronutrients: it is notable only for vitamin K, at 16% of the Daily Value (table).
Depending on variety, cucumbers may have a mild melon aroma and flavor, in part resulting from unsaturated aldehydes, such as (E,Z)-nona-2,6-dienal, an…
Raw cucumber (with peel) is 95% water, 4% carbohydrates, 1% protein, and contains negligible fat. A 100-gram (3+1⁄2-ounce) reference serving provides 67 kilojoules (16 kilocalories) of food energy It has a low content of micronutrients: it is notable only for vitamin K, at 16% of the Daily Value (table).
Depending on variety, cucumbers may have a mild melon aroma and flavor, in part resulting from unsaturated aldehydes, such as (E,Z)-nona-2,6-dienal, and the cis- and trans- isomers of 2-nonenal. …
Varieties
In general cultivation, cucumbers are classified into three main cultivar groups: slicing, pickled, and seedless/burpless.
Cucumbers grown to eat fresh are called slicing cucumbers. The main varieties of slicers mature on vines with large leaves that provide shading.
Slicers grown commercially for the North American market are generally longer, smoother, mor…
Cultivation history
Cultivated for at least 3,000 years, the cucumber originated from India, where a great many varieties have been observed, along with its closest living relative, Cucumis hystrix. It was probably introduced to Europe by the Greeks or Romans. Records of cucumber cultivation appear in France in the 9th century, England in the 14th century, and in North America by the mid-16th century.
See also
• Armenian cucumber, a variety of muskmelon that resembles a cucumber
• Cucumber blessing
• Cucumber cake
• Cucumber juice