There are more than 2000 different types of fruits and many of us are familiar with the benefits of eating various kinds of fruits. The 5 main categories of fruits are drupes, pomes, berries, citrus fruits, and pepo. If you also include tropical fruits as a type of fruit, then there are actually 6 categories of fruits.
What is a Fruit?
A fruit is defined as a seed-bearing structure by botany. Botanically speaking, tomatoes, eggplants, peas, beans, and wheat grains are all distinct varieties of fruits. When we discuss fruits in culinary terms, however, we’re usually referring to sweet or acidic fleshy buildatgs with seeds that develop on plants or trees.
When we use the word “fruit” for culinary purposes rather than botanically, this article will cover fruits in the way most of us understand the term.
Types of Fruits: Drupes, Berries, Pomes, Pepo, and Citrus Fruits
Drupes, pomes, berries, citrus fruits, and pepo are the most common fruit types. However, fruits may be divided into groups such as tropical fruits and vegetables, which can help us understand them.
Fruits that are Drupes
A drupe is a fruit with a big seed that looks like meat. Peaches, cherries, and apricots are examples of drupes. Some types of berries are botanically similar to drupes, and may be classified as such. Drupes, for example, include raspberries and blackberries because they contain a lot of drupelets.
Fruits that are Berries
Berries, such as strawberry, raspberry, blueberries, and blackberries, are tiny juicy sweet or sour fruits that do not include a stone or a pit. A real berry, on the other hand, is a fleshy fruit produced from one flower’s ovary with a seed or seeds planted inside it, according to botanical definitions. Blueberries, gooseberries, and cranberries are examples of true berries.
Fruits that are Pomes
A pome is a fruit with a fleshy edible around a core holding seeds. Apples and pears are two examples of fruits that are pomes.
Citrus Fruits
Lemons, oranges, and limes are all examples of hesperidia (citrus fruits), which have a thick tangy rind and segmented pulp.
Types of Fruits that are Pepo
Pepo fruits are those that have many seeds dispersed throughout the flesh or gathered in the center. Melons are one of the most popular pepo fruits, especially in summer. From huge watermelons to tiny cucamelons, the pepo fruit category encompasses a wide range of sizes.
Tropical Fruits
The category of tropical fruits encompasses bananas, pineapples, mangoes, papayas, and guavas, despite the fact that they are not always categorized as such.
Types of Fruits that are Considered as Vegetables
Pumpkins, tomatoes, cucumbers, corn, and peppers are examples of fruits that we often call vegetables. Tomatoes, for example, are classified as berries botanically. Pumpkins, on the other hand, are pepo fruits.
Types of Fruits (With Pictures and Names)
Fruits that are Drupes
A drupe is a fruit with a hard shell that surrounds a single seed in the center. A juicy, meaty fruit wall surrounds the hard inner portion of drupe fruits. Drupes come in a variety of forms, including stone fruits. Drupes are typically sweet and nutritious fruits that provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Drupe fruits are classified into two categories of stone fruit, depending on the type:
Clingstone. The fruit flesh usually clings to this sort of drupe stone, making it difficult to extract. Clingstone fruits include several peach varieties, plums, and cherries.
Freestone. Freestone drupes have a stone that falls out readily and does not need to be sliced free, as the name suggests. Both freestone and clingstone plums and peaches come in a variety of species. Some drupe varieties might be referred to as berries, too. Since they are made up of a number of drupelets, raspberries and blackberries are considered drupes.
Examples of types of fruits that are drupes
Mangoes, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, and dates are some of the delicious fruits that are classified as drupes. Olives, almonds, walnuts, coconuts, and cashews are examples of drupes that are commonly referred to as fruits. In the culinary world, what we refer to as “nuts” are actually drupes that include the seed rather than the fruit.
Health benefits of common drupe fruits
Stone fruits, like most new fruits, are a excellent source of nutrients for your health since to their juicy sweet eat. Several popular drupe fruits are quite nutritious, which I’ve listed below:
Cherries. Sweet and sour cherries are two types of cherries. Cherries are a good source of vitamin C and polyphenols, according to a 2018 study on the benefits of cherries. Cherry intake and cherry juice consumption have been linked to reducing inflammation, relieving joint discomfort, and limiting the consequences of oxidative stress.
Plums. Vitamin C is 19 mg, and fiber is 2.7 g, or 30% and 12% of your daily needs, if you consume three plums. Plums, also known as prunes, have another advantage: eating them dry. Dried plums may help build bone density, keep weight gain at bay, and treat constipation by serving as a healthy snack.
Mangoes. The mango is one of the tropical fruits that contains a drupe. Mangoes are excellent sources of vitamin C, E, potassium, and magnesium. Mangoes are beneficial for your heart, digestion system, and antiaging because of the high levels of nutrients in them.
Types of stone fruits
Berries
Because of their varied taste, color, and texture, berries are among the most popular types of fruit. Berries are actually considered among the healthiest foods on the planet by many individuals. Berries are generally tiny, delicious fruits with a sweet, sour, or acidic flavor. True berries don’t have a stone in the center of them, unlike other varieties. In the case of blackcurrants, grapes, blueberries, gooseberries, and persimmons, their flesh typically includes seeds.
RASPBERRIES or STRAWBERRIES are botanically berries, yet they are considered berries in the culinary world. Citrus fruits (hesperidium) are classified as modified berries rather than true berries, despite the fact that they are botanically berries. In the list of hesperidium fruits, we’ll talk about citrus fruits.
Different types of fruits that are berries
Berries might be among the world’s sweetest or sourest fruits, depending on the variety. Strawberries, blueberries, and certain types of raspberry are all examples of sweet berries that may be used in cooking. Cranberries, gooseberries, and several kinds of raspberry are among the sour berries listed. Grape, goji berries, and elderberries are other popular fruit types that fall under the category of berry fruits.
Health benefits of common berries
Berries are a very valuable food because they offer a lot of health and antioxidants in a tiny package. Since they include a powerful antioxidant called anthocyanin, dark-colored berries and red-colored berries are especially good for you. Heart disease, cancer, and diabetes have all been linked to this healthy molecule. Some of the most commonly consumed berries have a few health advantages.
Blueberries. Blueberries may have a number of beneficial cardiovascular properties, according to research. These tasty blueberries may help you lose weight, lower cholesterol, and reduce inflammation by supplementing your diet. Berries, like blueberries, also contain nutrients and antioxidants that may help protect against age-related blindness.
Raspberries. Raspberryberries are included on the list of the healthiest berries in terms of culinary, despite being technically a drupe. Antioxidants in raspberries, particularly black raspberries, may help protect your heart. RASPBERRIES help strengthen memory and protect cognitive functioning by increasing consumption.
Strawberries. Strawberries are delicious red berries that are among the healthiest fruits you can eat, despite not being a “true berry” botanically. The sweet taste and health benefits of strawberries make them a favorite berry. Strawberry consumption has been linked to decreased inflammation, risk of heart disease, obesity-related illnesses, and even cancer.
Pomes
The hard flesh surrounding a core with seeds is what distinguishes pomes from other fruits. The pomes fruits are highly sought after. The pome fruit list, for example, includes apples and pears. The Latin word pomum, which originally signified fruit, is the source of the French term for apple, pome. The center core is a defining characteristic of pome fruits. A leathery or stony texture may be seen on the endocarp, which is the innermost layer surrounding a seed.
Did you know that there are over 300 apple varieties available? There are approximately 7,500 different apple cultivars cultivated across the globe, according to researchers at the University of Illinois..
Examples of common fruits that are pome fruits
Apple and pear are the most popular varieties of pome fruits. Quince, rowan, and whitebeam pome fruits are examples of pome fruits that are less often eaten.
Health benefits of common pome fruits
Apples have a lot of health benefits and are one of the most common kinds of fruits in the world.
Apples If you want to lose weight, heal your digestive system, or get a dose of vitamin C, then a hard fruit is the perfect snack. One medium-sized apple, for example, offers around 15% of your daily vitamin C and fiber needs. Just 100 calories are in each apple. Many varieties of apple fruits contain many types of powerful antioxidants, according to a study on their diversity. Apple eating has been linked to decreased incidence of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and other chronic diseases.
Citrus Fruits (Hesperidia)
Citrus fruits range in color from green to yellow to orange and have a hard, tangy skin. Citrus fruits are a kind of modified berry, according to botanical lingo. The soft, succulent flesh of most citrus fruits is divided into segments. Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit are examples. Little liquid-filled carpels with citrus juice are placed in the segments.
Many health benefits are found in the protective spongy rind that covers the citrus flesh. Volatile oils found in the rind are often utilized to make essential oils. To get the zest for adding to flavor food and beverages, you may also scrape the exterior layer of citrus fruit skins.
Examples of citrus fruits
Lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges are some of the most well-known citrus fruits in the world. Bergamot, clementine, kaffir lime, kumquats, pomelo, and yuzu are some of the other fruits in the hesperidia (citrus fruits) family.
Health benefits of common citrus fruits
The most popular fruits varieties include citrus fruits in general. Food, drinks, cosmetics, essential oils, and spices are all made with citrus fruits. Citrus fruits have anti-inflammatory effects, protect cardiovascular health, destroy free radical scavengers, and even fight cancer.
Lemons. Lemons are the most prevalent kind of citrus fruit to consume for their health benefits, and they’re definitely on the list of yellow fruits. Vitamin C and antioxidants abound in these yellow citrus fruits.
Grapefruit. If you want to lose weight and manage your appetite, grapefruits are an excellent example of fruits to eat. Grapefruit intake has been shown to help you lose weight more quickly while on a weight-loss diet. Grapefruit also contains fiber and nutrients that are important for your health, which is why it’s so beneficial.
Pepos
Pepo fruit categories include huge, fleshy fruits with numerous seeds strewn throughout or gathered in the middle. Watermelon, for example, is classified as a pepo fruit. Fruits known as pepos are, in botanical terms, berries that are similar to those found in citrus fruits. The fact that the flesh isn’t segmented distinguishes pepo fruits (berries) from hesperidium fruits (citrus fruits).
We tend to think of certain varieties of pepo as vegetables, even though they aren’t. Cucumbers, squash, and eggplant are among them. Melons and watermelons are the most commonly recognized kinds of pepos. Melons come in a wide range of sizes, ranging from gigantic to petite, with many skin colors, such as cantaloupes with their wiry greenish skin.
Examples of fruits that are pepos
Watermelons and variations of melons are the types of pepo fruits we commonly recognize as fruits rather than vegetables, from all the various varieties. Honeydew and Cantaloupe are two common types of melon.
Health benefits of common pepo fruits
Let’s explore the health advantages of the most common pepo fruit, which is:
Watermelon. On a hot summer day, refreshing watermelon is 91% water and a fantastic way to stay hydrated. Lycopene, a beneficial antioxidant linked to excellent cardiovascular health and a robust immune system, is abundant in watermelon. Watermelon is a excellent fruit to consume if you want to lose weight since it has few calories.
Cantaloupe melon. Cantaloupe melon contains antioxidants that are beneficial for your eyesight, which is one of the reasons to eat it. Cantaloupe melon is beneficial to your digestive system and weight-loss regimes, in addition to being a excellent source of fiber and hydration.
Tropical Fruits
A kind of fruit is not defined by botanical categorization. However, exotic fruits like dragon fruit, rambutan, lychees, and passion fruit are assumed to be included in the tropical fruit category. Looking at tropical fruit photos or hearing exotic fruit names may take you to other countries. Tropical fruits, such as pineapple, papaya, mangoes, dragon fruit, rambutan, lychees, and passion fruit have a unique flavor that sets them apart from other fruits.
Countries in the Caribbean, the north part of South America, Central Africa, Asia, and islands in the Pacific Ocean are home to varieties of plants that produce tropical fruits.
Examples of tropical fruits
Papaya and mangoes are examples of tropical fruits that are drupes, pineapples are a collection of berries that have combined together, and guanabana (soursop) is a kind of berry.