These 3 Fruits Aren't What You Thought They Were

Gourmandize Staff, 08/14/2017

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What dirty little secret do these berries all have in common?

Strawberries, blackberries, raspberries... What do they all three have in common?

Well, quite simply: they're not berries.

WHAT?

You read that right. Although their name implies otherwise, scientifically speaking, none of these three fruits are actually "berries". Rather, fruits like bananas, grapes, and oranges are the true berries among us.

So, Umm... How Did That Happen?

The problem arises from the fact that most of these fruits were given names long before scientists actually defined what makes a berry. Basically, people thought of the term more as any kind of small fruit you can pluck off a plant and eat.

In fact, English speakers called these non-berry fruits by their modern names for thousands of years before science stepped in and made the correction.

So, if it's any comfort...their intentions were good.

What Makes a Berry, Then?

The rules for fruits to fit into the berry family are a bit complicated to explain, but here are a few break-downs that immediately count these three fruits out:

1) A berry must have three separate layers: a skin, a fleshy interior, and a part at the very center that holds the seeds.

2) Berries must also have more than one seed. That means, cherries: you're out too!

3) True berries must be the product of a flower with one ovary only. Only botany lovers could know this off the top of their head, but for the rest of us: the flowers of strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries all have multiple ovaries.

Feeling like your whole world and everything you knew is crumbling around you? Don't worry: blueberries are still real berries.

Ready to discover more shocking food truths? Check out the weird ways these 30 fruits and vegetables grow!

Chef Tips and Tricks

VIDEO: Rustic Cherry Tart

Craving sweet? This rustic cherry tart is easy, quick and delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

1 shortcrust pastry
3 cups / 750 g. of cherries
1/3 cup / 60 g. of sugar
2/3 cup / 60 g. of almond flour
4 tbsp. of brown sugar
Pistachios
A dash of milk

METHOD:

Mix the cherries and sugar together. Let stand 20 minutes.
Spread or roll out the shortcrust pastry, sprinkle with almond powder and brown sugar.
Place the cherries in the center of the dough, leaving about 2 inches of free dough on the edges. Fold in the edges.
Brush with milk (this will make the crust go golden), sprinkle with brown sugar and bake for 20 minutes at 350°F/180°C.
Top with a handful of chopped pistachios, and serve!