• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Site Index
  • Summer Homesteading
  • Shop
    • Profitable Homesteading System
    • Jumpstart Your Homestead
    • Organized Chicken Keeper
    • G.O.A.T. Herd Management System
    • The Ultimate Planner for Breeding Goats
    • Couponing for Beginners Planner
  • Nigerian Dwarf Goats for Sale
    • Nigerian Dwarf Goats
  • About

Mranimal Farm

All About Silkies, Nigerian Dwarf Goats & More

menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Site Index
  • Fall Homesteading
  • Shop
  • About
  • Contact
×
Home » Gardening

Jun 1, 2020 · Modified: Mar 4, 2022 by MrAnimal Farm This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Are Tomatoes A Fruit?

This is one of those seemingly harmless questions that can split a group in half in no time. In fact, you might be at one of those gatherings right now when somebody asks are tomatoes a fruit?

closeup of green tomato
pinterest image of green tomato. text reads, "are tomatoes a fruit? youll be shocked"

Well, the answer is obvious, right? They grow in a garden, on a vine, go in salads. They are most definitely a vegetable.

But they're also kind of brightly colored, juicy, have seeds, a little sweet. So maybe they are a fruit.

peppers, tomatoes and watermelon on paper towels on a wooden counter

So, are tomatoes a fruit?

Tomatoes really are a pretty versatile plant. You can eat them raw or cooked. They go great in just about any kind of dish, from soups, sauces, toppings, and salads. You can even use them as an ingredient and drinks.

Like with types of cucumbers, there are several different types of tomatoes that you can use for things like slicing, puree, or snacking.

And if you're into gardening, growing tomatoes is pretty easy, and they're one of the fastest growing crops.

Uses for tomatoes

A nice tomato based soup is almost synonymous with chilly weather. You can't go wrong with a good tomato and white bean soup.

If you have a garden, you have likely been surprised by the sheer volume of tomatoes you have harvested. A terrific use for those tomatoes is a delicious tomato sauce for pasta.

Pasta and sauce is good, but we're a bit partial to something a bit spicier. Nothing can beat a bag of tortilla chips and some homemade, restaurant style salsa!

Tomatoes can also be entrees on their own. Take for example, Baked Tomatoes.

Need some help getting your garden crops planned? Check out the Ultimate Gardening Calculators for a system that will auto-calculate for you.

Fruit or vegetable?

All right, well, here's the moment of truth. Who's correct at this family gathering, you or your annoying uncle?

Well, according to Encyclopedia Britannica, you both are. At least kind of.
From a scientific perspective, tomatoes are considered a fruit since they contain seeds and develop from the flower of a plant.

However, from a nutritionist perspective, fruits are typically considered to have a higher fructose level and thus are sweeter. This is likely why a lot of people call tomatoes vegetables.

So technically, tomatoes should be considered a fruit. However, there is enough of an argument for them to be called in vegetable that you're annoying uncle will probably insist he's right anyway. Sorry.

If you need help getting your garden crops planned right check out The Ultimate Gardening Calculators so that you have just the amount you need, set aside the right amount of space and know exactly when to plant them.

Access The Ultimate Gardening Calculators Now
pinterest image of green tomato. text reads, "are tomatoes a fruit? you'll be shocked"

For more gardening tips

[pt_view id="5f37129sdf"]

More Gardening How-To's & Tutorials

  • gardening shovel and soil
    Gifts For Gardeners
  • multi colored bell peppers
    Is A Pepper A Fruit?
  • blackberries
    How To Grow Blackberries
  • tomatoes and peppers
    What Vegetables Are Actually Fruits?

Primary Sidebar

kristin, justin and goat

Hey, we are Justin & Kristin! Welcome to MrAnimal Farm where we share our knowledge on homesteading, livestock and poultry, gardening and food preservation

More about us →

Popular Posts

  • Differences Between Ameraucana, Aracana and Easter Egger Chickens
    The Araucana Vs Ameraucana Vs Easter Egger Chicken
  • Chickens That Lay Green Eggs - What Chickens Lay Green Eggs
    Chickens That Lay Green Eggs - What Chickens Lay Green Eggs?
  • brooder box for chicks
    Chick Brooder Plans - How to Build a Brooder in 3 Steps!
  • Curled toes in Chickens
    Curled Toes in Chickens - Causes and Treatment
  • Goat Toys
    DIY Goat Toys: Cheap Toys to Keep Your Goats Busy
  • hen or roo
    How To Sex A Chicken & Tell A Hen From A Rooster

Fall Homesteading

  • Signs Chicken Still Laying
    5 Ways to Tell if a Chicken is Still Laying
  • Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash
    Can You Freeze Spaghetti Squash? A Food Preservation Guide
  • Goat Heat Signs – 6 Signs to Tell Your Goat is in Heat
    Goat Heat Signs - 6 Signs to Tell Your Goat is in Heat
  • cut your chicken feed cost
    How to Cut Your Chicken Feed Cost in Half - 5 Simple Ways!

Footer

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure

We are a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Privacy Policy

For details on our privacy policy click here.

Copyright © 2023 · MrAnimal Farm