What is a cucumber classified as? A cucumber is a fruit and a vegetable. I will explain why because the answer is technical.
You may have ever wondered if cucumber is a fruit or a vegetable. Our culture has always treated it as a vegetable but on a biological level.
What is it about? You will be surprised to know that cucumber is a fruit; let’s see why.
This type of confusion usually occurs very frequently in the fruit and vegetables.
As we already discussed in our article on whether Tomato A Citrus Fruit. Click here to know if Tomato is A Citrus Fruit.
Is A Cucumber A Fruit Or A Vegetable? Explain Why
Most of us are familiar with cucumbers without knowing what type of fruit cucumber is.
Cucumber is one of the world’s most beloved produce, but when it comes down to it, is the humble cucumber a fruit or a vegetable?
Look no further because the answer is, technically, cucumber is both fruit and vegetable.
However, these depend on who you talk to a botanist, who uses the botanical definition, or a nutritionist or a cook, who will probably use the culinary.
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Although fruits and vegetables are part of our recommended five a day, there are distinct differences between fruits and vegetables.
What Is The Botanical Classification Of A Cucumber?
A botanist will classify a cucumber as a fruit because a cucumber is a seed-bearing product that grows from the ovary of a flowering plant.
A botanist will use botanical classification based on the physiological characteristics of the plant, such as the plant’s structure, function, and organization.
In botanical parlance, a “fruit” is a seed-bearing product that grows from the ovary of a flowering plant, or, in other words, a fruit is how the plant sheds its seeds.
In the botanical sense of the term, a fruit contains at least one seed and grows from the flower of a plant.
With this definition in mind, cucumber is classified as a fruit because it contains tiny seeds in the middle and grows from the flower of the cucumber plant.
On the other hand, in botanical terms, there is no established definition of “vegetables.”
Instead, it is a general term encompassing all other edible plant parts, such as roots, stems, and leaves.
So, with a botanist, we would classify fruits such as apples, strawberries, and peaches as fruits, including cucumbers.
Why Cucumber Is A Fruit
The cucumber is a fruit because it contains seeds and comes from the fertilization of a flower.
We can affirm that the cucumber is a fruit in the botanical sense. However, cucumber is commonly used as a vegetable in our eating habits.
However, the cucumber is a fruit in the botanical sense; the cucumber is rather classified among vegetables in the popular sense.
Indeed, on our plates, we often find it as a starter or salad, surrounded by “real vegetables.” But then, what exactly is a “real vegetable”?
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What Does A Culinary Or Nutritionist Classify Cucumbers As?Classify Cucumbers As?
A Culinary, nutritionist, or cook classified cucumbers as vegetables Because of their nutrition and uses in the kitchen.
A nutritionist, cook, or even your grandmother would use the culinary classification system, which defines fruits and vegetables differently based on how the plants are used and their flavor profile.
In culinary terms, a vegetable generally has a more solid texture and blander taste and often needs to be cooked in dishes such as stews, soups, or stir-fries,
while fruits have a softer texture, sweet or sour taste and are often enjoyed raw or in desserts or jams.
Cucumbers can be crunchy, refreshing, and enjoyed raw. However, we also use cucumbers in savory dishes like star apples and marinades.
And this is why cucumbers are usually classified as vegetables. Are you interested in knowing how to prepare a star apple 👉click here now to read how to prepare a star apple as a recipe?.
Why Is The Botanical Classification Of Cucumber Difference From The Culinary Classification
So why can cucumbers be classified in two ways if this confuses us? Each definition serves its purpose.
For example, botanical classification is useful for the botanist who wishes to discover the origin of cucumbers.
It also helps us identify different varieties of cucumbers or understand how to grow and harvest them.
The culinary definition may be more useful to the general public, nutritionists, and cooks because foods that belong to the same botanical family may not have the same nutritional composition.
For example, cantaloupe melons, watermelons, butternut squash, cucumbers, and pumpkins belong to the same botanical family but have different nutritional compositions.
Other botanical fruits are considered vegetables in the culinary sense: avocado, olives, pumpkin, tomato, corn, zucchini, cucumber, green peas, chili pepper, and eggplant.
We can all agree that cucumbers are an easy snack that promotes hydration with their high water content and are a healthy option in our diet. These provide us with fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
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What Is A Fruit Botanically?
In botany, the term fruit is used for the edible part of a flowering plant. Technically, it results from the flowering of the plant and functions as a seed-protecting organ.
After fertilization, the plant develops by growing leaves and flowers and then fruits.
The fruits consist of the pericarp and seeds. The pericarp is the skin surrounding the seed and other fruit elements. It is made up of three layers:
- The Epicarp,
- The Mesocarp,
- The Endocarp.
The seed contains the albumen, the embryo, and the integument, sometimes fused with the pericardium for certain types of fruit.
Fruit is thus the edible organ of a flowering plant. It contains the seeds, cores, or pips, which it surrounds with an envelope called the pericardium.
It can be eaten raw or incorporated into culinary preparations. The fruits can taste sweet or sour depending on the tree that produces them.
What Does A Vegetable Refer To In Botany?
A vegetable refers in botany to the part of a vegetable plant that can be eaten.
Vegetables come in several varieties classified according to the part of the plant that is used.
The leaves of a vegetable plant, such as salad, spinach, lettuce, or cabbage, are considered vegetables.
Roots like those of carrots, ginger, or radishes are also vegetables.
Tubers such as potatoes, beets, or turnips are classified as vegetables. The same goes for garlic or onion bulbs.
Vegetable plants such as asparagus, celery, leek, or bamboo are vegetables because their stems or shoots are edible. A vegetable can also be a seed.
Nutritional Properties Of Cucumber
Cucumber is a low-calorie vegetable due to its reduced carbohydrate content, compared to other vegetables, and its high water content.
Cucumber provides fiber, small amounts of vitamin C, provitamin A, and vitamin E in even smaller proportions.
B vitamins such as folates, B1, B2, and B3. Small amounts of beta-carotene are found in your skin.
Click here to know if Pineapple A Citrus Fruit.
Vitamin A is essential for vision, the good condition of the skin, hair, mucous membranes, and bones, and the proper functioning of the immune system.
Folates are involved in the production of red and white blood cells, in the synthesis of genetic material, and the formation of immune system antibodies.
Vitamin E is involved in the stability of blood cells and fertility.
Like vitamin C, it has antioxidant action, and the latter also intervenes in the formation of collagen, red blood cells, bones, and teeth, promotes iron absorption, and increases infection resistance.
Cucumber is not considered a vegetable rich in minerals, although the most abundant is potassium. Phosphorus and magnesium are found in a smaller proportion.
Potassium is a mineral necessary for transmitting and generating nerve impulses and for normal muscle activity, in addition to intervening in the balance of water inside and outside the cell.
Phosphorus is involved in forming bones and teeth, just like magnesium. The latter is also related to the intestine’s functioning, improves immunity, and has a mild laxative effect.
A small proportion of beta-sitosterol is present in the composition of cucumber, a compound with anti-inflammatory and hypoglycemic activity,
which participates in the immune system response.
Composition per 100 grams of edible portion micrograms (millionth of a gram)
| Energy (Kcal) | 12 |
| Water (ml) | 97 |
| Protein (g) | 0.7 |
| Carbohydrates (g) | 1.9 |
| Fiber (g) | 0.5 |
| Potassium (mg) | 140 |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 20 |
| Magnesium (mg) | 9 |
| Folates (mcg) | 13 |
| Vitamin C (mg) | 6 |
Is A Cucumber Considered A Berry?
A cucumber is a berry containing many seeds.
What fruit family is cucumber in?
A cucumber belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family, and the Cucurbitaceae family is also known as cucurbits or the gourd family.
The Cucurbitaceae family consists of about 965 species that have around 95 genera in number.
Cucumber is described as a creeping vine plant rooted in the ground and supported around trellises or trees. Wrapping itself around a supporting trellis helps it from being on the ground.
Conclusion
Knowing what type of fruit is cucumber or Cucumber fruit or vegetable? From the previous definitions, I can infer that cucumber is difficult to classify as a vegetable or fruit.
Indeed, we find all the characteristics of a fruit and a vegetable in the cucumber.
The cucumber is both a fruit and a vegetable, like the tomato.
Cucumber has seeds that are contained in an envelope and obtained from the flowers, which make cucumber fruit and be eaten raw.
Considering the use of cucumbers in cooking, we can say they are vegetables.
They are used in culinary recipes and have a slightly sweet taste.
Gherkin (small cucumber) is used in culinary preparation as a condiment.
The cucumber has the characteristics of both fruit and vegetables.Also, read The Benefits Of Eating Guava.
