Science tells us that we should have 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day. As one of those most natural sources of nutrients, fruit finds its way into everything from desserts to smoothies. You may think you know all there is to know about the edible plants, but these facts may surprise you.
Berry Suspicious
When thinking of berries, strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries probably come to mind. But, according to botany, these are not actually berries. The scientific definition of a berry is a fleshy fruit with seeds inside that has been produced from a single flower containing one ovary. As such, bananas, cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons, and tomatoes all technically count as berries.
Fig-ure of Speech
Figs are one of those fruits that have a rather sophisticated reputation. Not as common as apples or bananas, figs tend to be served alongside cheese or turned into jam. Did you know, though, that in order for the flower to become a fig, it has to be pollinated by a wasp which is then absorbed by the flower?
Lay Off the Latex
If you have a latex allergy, it’s best to steer clear of kiwis, mangoes, and bananas. That’s because these fruits possess proteins that are similar to those found in natural rubber.
