Coconuts give us a lot, from coconut milk, coconut water, coconut oil, and much more. Coconut oil is among the more popular coconut byproducts- in fact, the United States market for coconut oil is expected to reach over $7 billion within the next several years! You might be surprised to learn that unlike olive oil, there is no difference between virgin and extra virgin coconut oil! However, there are plenty of differences [...]
Is Corn a Fruit, Vegetable, or Something Else?
Corn is the number one crop produced in the United States - there’s a good chance you ate or drank something today that had some sort of corn-based ingredient in it! This popular crop fits the bill as a fruit, vegetable, AND a grain - which might not make sense at first. We’ll explain how corn can meet all of these criteria in this article, so rest assured that your questions will be answered! Is corn a fruit? You’d [...]
Is a Mushroom a Vegetable, a Fungus, or a Fruit?
There are thousands of different types of mushrooms, but the ones you’re probably most familiar with include white button, portobello, shiitake, and cremini mushrooms, to name a few. Mushrooms aren’t technically a vegetable but are considered a vegetable in culinary and nutrition terms. They aren’t a type of fruit, but are instead a type of fungus - edible, of course! So why are mushrooms considered vegetables, and [...]
Are Figs a Fruit, a Vegetable, or Something Else?
If you’ve ever eaten a fig, you probably assumed it was a fruit because it tastes sweet. A fig is generally considered a fruit in a culinary sense, but technically it doesn’t meet the botanical classification of a “true fruit” as it’s technically an “inflorescence.” Figs aren’t considered vegetables, though - that part is clear! If you’re a bit confused, don’t worry - we’ll explain more about what we mean in this [...]
Is a Pumpkin a Fruit or a Vegetable? (Hint: You’re BOTH right!)
The versatile pumpkin can be included in everything from savory stews to sweet pumpkin pie, so you might be wondering if it’s a fruit or a vegetable. The answer is that pumpkins can be considered both a fruit and a vegetable. Pumpkins are considered a fruit botanically (because of how they grow) but are accepted as a vegetable in a culinary sense because they aren’t sweet - similar to tomatoes, avocados, and other [...]
Is a Tomato a Fruit or a Vegetable? (Hint: You’re BOTH right!)
Whether it's on a sandwich, in a salad, or mixed in salsa, tomatoes are a favorite fruit…or is it a vegetable? Tomatoes are considered a fruit in a botanical sense but are generally accepted as vegetables in a culinary sense. If you’re a little confused, don’t worry - we’ll explain more below! What’s the definition of a fruit? The classifications for plant-based foods are usually pretty clear, but sometimes it can [...]
