Fruits vs. Vegetables — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Published on September 28, 2023
Fruits are the mature ovaries of flowering plants, often sweet or sour in taste and typically consumed as a natural snack. Vegetables are edible parts of plants such as leaves, stems, and roots, usually consumed in savory dishes.
Difference Between Fruits and Vegetables
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In summary, fruits are usually sweet or sour and consumed for their natural taste and sugars. Vegetables can be derived from various parts of a plant and are more likely to be included in savory or salty dishes. Both are vital components of a balanced diet but serve different culinary and nutritional roles.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
When you eat an apple, you're eating the mature ovary of the apple tree, which classifies it as a fruit. When you eat spinach, you're eating the leaves of the plant, categorizing it as a vegetable. Fruits are primarily consumed for their natural sugars and flavors, whereas vegetables are often valued for their nutritional content including vitamins and fiber.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Fruits are produced by flowering plants and generally contain seeds; they are often sweet or sour in taste and are consumed in various forms including fresh, dried, and juiced. Vegetables, on the other hand, can come from various parts of a plant including the leaves, roots, and stems, and are usually more savory or bitter than fruits.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
From a culinary perspective, fruits are generally used in desserts, smoothies, or eaten on their own. Vegetables are typically part of main or side dishes and are often cooked, although they can be consumed raw. Despite these general rules, there are some exceptions like tomatoes and bell peppers, which are fruits but often treated as vegetables in cooking.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Definitions
Fruits
Mature Ovary: "Fruits are the mature ovaries of flowering plants."
Apples are fruits that come from the mature ovary of apple trees.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
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Vegetables
Edible Plant Parts: "Vegetables are edible parts of plants."
Carrots are vegetables that are actually the root of the plant.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Fruits
Seed-bearing: "Fruits usually contain seeds."
Watermelons are fruits that contain many seeds.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Vegetables
Non-Seed Bearing: "Vegetables usually don’t contain seeds."
Lettuce is a vegetable that doesn't contain seeds.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Fruits
Natural Snacks: "Fruits are often consumed fresh as natural snacks."
I like to eat fruits like bananas and oranges as snacks.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Vegetables
Nutrient-Rich: "Vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber."
Spinach is a nutrient-rich vegetable.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Fruits
Sweet or Sour: "Fruits are generally sweet or sour in taste."
Berries are fruits that are often sweet.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Vegetables
Main Dishes: "Vegetables are often cooked and served in main or side dishes."
I like to include a variety of vegetables in my stir-fry.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Fruits
Sugar Source: "Fruits are rich in natural sugars."
Grapes are fruits high in natural sugars.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Vegetables
Savory: "Vegetables are generally savory or bitter in taste."
Brussels sprouts are vegetables that some find bitter.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 15, 2023
Fruits
The ripened ovary or ovaries of a seed-bearing plant, together with accessory parts, containing the seeds and occurring in a wide variety of forms.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Vegetables
A plant cultivated for its edible parts, such as the roots of the beet, the leaves of spinach, the flower buds of broccoli, or the fruit or seeds of certain species, as beans, corn, and squash.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Fruits
A part or an amount of such a plant product, served as food
Fruit for dessert.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Fruits
The fertile, often spore-bearing structure of a plant that does not bear seeds.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Vegetables
Offensive Slang One who is severely impaired mentally and physically, as by brain injury or disease.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Vegetables
Of, relating to, or derived from plants or a plant
Vegetable dyes.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Vegetables
Made from or with edible plants or plant parts
Vegetable lasagna.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
FAQs
What are Vegetables?
Vegetables are edible parts of plants, usually consumed in savory dishes.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
What are Fruits?
Fruits are the mature ovaries of flowering plants, often sweet or sour in taste.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Are Fruits Sweet?
Fruits are generally sweet or sour, rich in natural sugars.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Which are Healthier, Fruits or Vegetables?
Both are healthy but offer different nutrients; fruits are rich in natural sugars and vitamins, while vegetables offer fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
How are Vegetables Eaten?
Vegetables are commonly cooked but can also be eaten raw.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Are Vegetables Savory?
Vegetables are usually more savory or bitter in taste.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Can Fruits Be Cooked?
While commonly eaten fresh, some fruits like apples and pears can be cooked.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Can Fruits Be Savory?
While usually sweet or sour, some fruits like avocados are savory.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Why Are Tomatoes Fruits?
Tomatoes are fruits because they contain seeds and come from the flowering part of the plant.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Can Vegetables Be Sweet?
While generally savory or bitter, some vegetables like sweet potatoes can be sweet.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Can Vegetables Be Eaten Raw?
Many vegetables can be eaten raw, like carrots and lettuce.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Why Are Bell Peppers Considered Fruits?
Like tomatoes, bell peppers are fruits because they contain seeds and develop from the flower of the plant.
Tayyaba Rehman
Sep 28, 2023
Author Spotlight
Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content editor at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
