Berries are small, pulpy, and often edible fruits, typically sweet, sour, or tart, and brightly colored. While the term “berry” is commonly used for various fruits, botanically, a berry is defined as a fleshy fruit with seeds and pulp produced from a single flower with a single ovary. Examples include grapes, tomatoes, and bananas, although some culinary “berries” like strawberries and raspberries are not botanically classified as berries.Â
Botanical Definition:
- A berry is a simple fruit developed from a single flower with one ovary.
- The entire outer layer of the ovary wall ripens into a potentially edible pericarp.
- Botanists distinguish between “true berries” (like grapes) and other fruits commonly called berries.Â
Commonly Called Berries:
- Fruits like strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries are often referred to as berries in everyday language.Â
- These fruits are characterized by their small size, pulpy texture, and bright colors.Â
Nutritional Value and Health Benefits:
- Berries are a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.Â
- They are often rich in vitamin C, fiber, and various antioxidants, including anthocyanins.Â
- Berries may help improve heart health, reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, and offer other health benefits according to Healthline.Â
- They are also relatively low in calories and can be a healthy addition to a balanced diet.Â
Examples of Berries:
- Botanical Berries:Â Grapes, tomatoes, bananas.Â
- Culinary Berries:Â Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, cranberries, etc.Â
- Indian Berries:Â Ber (Indian Jujube), Jamun (Java Plum), Amla (Indian Gooseberry), Karonda (Carandas Plum), Phalsa (Indian Sherbet Berry), Kokum (Goa Butter Tree), Rasbhari (Cape Gooseberry)Â according to Ugaoo.Â
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