Why Are Bananas Berries but Strawberries Aren’t?
In today's post we'll dive into a fruity science topic about Berries.
Here’s a fun fact that might surprise you: bananas are berries, but strawberries aren’t! How can that be? Let’s dig into the science.
What Makes a Berry?
Botanists (scientists who study plants) have a special definition for berries. To be a berry, a fruit must:
1. Develop from a single flower with one ovary (the part of the flower that produces seeds).
2. Have seeds and pulp inside.
3. Have a soft outer skin.
Bananas check all these boxes! They grow from a single ovary, have seeds inside (even if they’re tiny), and have soft skin. That’s why bananas are true berries.
What About Strawberries?
Strawberries don’t fit the berry rules. Instead of growing from one ovary, strawberries grow from many small ones. Those little dots on the outside of a strawberry? Each is a tiny fruit with its own seed! Because of this, strawberries are classified as “aggregate fruits,” not berries.
Other Surprising Berries
Some fruits you wouldn’t expect are berries too! Grapes, tomatoes, and even kiwis are true berries, while raspberries and blackberries are not.
Isn’t science cool? It’s like nature’s way of playing a naming game. So, next time you enjoy a banana or a strawberry, you can impress your friends with this tasty tidbit of knowledge!
What’s your favourite fruit? Tell us in the comments.