Buzz
The tomato has earned its reputation as a superfood, functional food, and simply a delicious treat. Packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that support our well-being, including lycopene (potentially aiding in the prevention of chronic diseases), beta-carotene, and Vitamin C.
It should be a staple in your meals. But if you’re into food categories, you might be wondering—Is a tomato a fruit? Is it a vegetable? Or is it some strange mix of the two?
The answer hinges on the perspective of the person asking. In botanical terms, a fruit is the part that arises from the fertilized ovary of a flower. Vegetables, on the other hand, are the edible parts of plants that don’t fall into the fruit category. According to this definition, the tomato is indeed a fruit.
However, botanists don’t have the final say on the matter. In 1893, the U.S. Supreme Court was asked to settle the question of whether a tomato was a fruit or a vegetable after importer John Nix was hit with a 10 percent tax on vegetables entering New York’s Port Authority. He argued using the botanical definition, but the judges disagreed, ruling that in the 'common language of the people, whether sellers or consumers of provisions,' the tomato was a vegetable.
Nutritionists especially prefer to categorize the tomato as a vegetable due to its lower fructose (sugar) content compared to many fruits like oranges and apples. In more casual terms, fruits are also known for their sweetness, which makes them ideal for desserts. There's a reason apple pie exists, but not broccoli pie.
So, is the tomato a fruit? Botanically, yes—it’s a seeded growth. Nutritionally, no. If we adhere to the legal definition from the Nix case, the tomato is considered a vegetable. He couldn't prove otherwise. But it might vary depending on where you’re located. Tennessee declared it the state fruit, while New Jersey named it the state vegetable. Arkansas even embraced both sides by declaring the tomato both the state fruit and vegetable.
