FruitsFruits

Classification, nutrients, Classification, nutrients, purchasing, preparing and storingpurchasing, preparing and storing

What are fruitsWhat are fruits In In botanybotany, a fruit is the , a fruit is the ripenedripened ovaryovary—together with —together with

seedsseeds—of a —of a flowering plantflowering plant. Fruits are the means by . Fruits are the means by which flowering plants disseminate seedswhich flowering plants disseminate seeds

In In cuisinecuisine, when discussing fruit as , when discussing fruit as foodfood, the term usually , the term usually refers to those refers to those plantplant fruits that are sweet and fleshy, fruits that are sweet and fleshy, examples of which include examples of which include plumsplums, , applesapples and and orangesoranges. . However, a great many common However, a great many common vegetablesvegetables, as well as , as well as nutsnuts and and grainsgrains, are the fruit of that plant species., are the fruit of that plant species.

Fruits are classified into six categories depending on Fruits are classified into six categories depending on their physical characteristics: berries, drupes, pomes. their physical characteristics: berries, drupes, pomes. Citrus, melons and tropical.Citrus, melons and tropical.

BERRIESBERRIES small juicy fruits with thin skins and lots of tiny pits – small juicy fruits with thin skins and lots of tiny pits –

includes strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, includes strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, cranberries and blackcurrants. Except for grapes, cranberries and blackcurrants. Except for cranberries, all are highly perishable. Soften with cranberries, all are highly perishable. Soften with freezing, but make very good jams, jellies and freezing, but make very good jams, jellies and preserves.preserves.

DRUPESDRUPES

Outer skin covering a soft, fleshy fruit with a Outer skin covering a soft, fleshy fruit with a single, large seed, called a pit or stone. Include single, large seed, called a pit or stone. Include cherries, peaches, apricots and plums.cherries, peaches, apricots and plums.

POMESPOMES

Central, seed containing core, with many Central, seed containing core, with many seeds and thick layer of fibrous flesh. seeds and thick layer of fibrous flesh. Include apples, pears.Include apples, pears.

CITRUS FRUITCITRUS FRUIT

Thick, bitter outer rind with soft layer of pith. Thick, bitter outer rind with soft layer of pith. Flesh separates into segments of sections. Flesh separates into segments of sections. Includes oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, Includes oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes, tangerines etc.tangerines etc.

MELONSMELONS Large, juicy fruit with thick rinds and many seeds Large, juicy fruit with thick rinds and many seeds

in the center. Include watermelon, cantaloupe, in the center. Include watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba.honeydew, casaba.

TROPICAL FRUITSTROPICAL FRUITS

Grow in warm climates and are often considered Grow in warm climates and are often considered exotic. Include pineapples, mangoes, papaya, exotic. Include pineapples, mangoes, papaya, kiwi, coconut, bananas, dragonfruitkiwi, coconut, bananas, dragonfruit

Nutritional ValueNutritional Value

Two to Four servings each dayTwo to Four servings each day Serving size is one medium size piece, ½ cup Serving size is one medium size piece, ½ cup

chopped fruit and ¾ cup fruit juicechopped fruit and ¾ cup fruit juice Citrus fruits provide high amounts of Vitamin C Citrus fruits provide high amounts of Vitamin C

and prevent scurvy (limies)and prevent scurvy (limies) Orange fruits (melons, apricots, peaches) Orange fruits (melons, apricots, peaches)

contain large quantities of beta carotene contain large quantities of beta carotene (Vitamin A)(Vitamin A)

Significant source of fiberSignificant source of fiber Contribute phytochemicals (antioxidants)Contribute phytochemicals (antioxidants)

Available FormsAvailable Forms

CannedCanned – watch for added sugars and syrups, – watch for added sugars and syrups, also pick cans with NO dents or bulgesalso pick cans with NO dents or bulges

FrozenFrozen – can soften and destroy texture of fruit, – can soften and destroy texture of fruit, can be sweetened or unsweetenedcan be sweetened or unsweetened

DriedDried – Most fruits are available in dried form. – Most fruits are available in dried form. Can be packaged or sold loose. Watch for use Can be packaged or sold loose. Watch for use of sulfur in processing, can cause allergies and of sulfur in processing, can cause allergies and mar flavormar flavor

Preparing fruitPreparing fruit

Enzymatic browning – many fruits exposed to air Enzymatic browning – many fruits exposed to air will turn brown (ex: bananas, apples). Using will turn brown (ex: bananas, apples). Using lemon juice or acidulated water will help prevent lemon juice or acidulated water will help prevent this.this.

Fruits should be carefully washed before use, Fruits should be carefully washed before use, especially in foreign countries. especially in foreign countries.

Peel or pare fruit to remove as little of flesh as Peel or pare fruit to remove as little of flesh as possible, or wash well and eat the skin (extra possible, or wash well and eat the skin (extra fiber).fiber).

Methods of cookingMethods of cooking Cooking in liquid – ex: apple sauce, Cooking in liquid – ex: apple sauce,

poached pearspoached pears Baking – ex: baked bananas, applesBaking – ex: baked bananas, apples Broiling – bananas, grapefruit, pineappleBroiling – bananas, grapefruit, pineapple Frying – apples, bananasFrying – apples, bananas Microwaving – choose pieces of similar Microwaving – choose pieces of similar

size to prevent overcooking. Remember size to prevent overcooking. Remember food continues cooking (standing time)food continues cooking (standing time)

Purchasing and StoringPurchasing and Storing

Buy fresh fruit, locally grown, in seasonBuy fresh fruit, locally grown, in season Fruit spoils rapidly, use quickly.Fruit spoils rapidly, use quickly. Ripen drupes (apricots, peaches, avocado) in brown Ripen drupes (apricots, peaches, avocado) in brown

paper bagspaper bags Refrigeration slows down spoilageRefrigeration slows down spoilage Check for bruises, cuts, mold and softnessCheck for bruises, cuts, mold and softness Buy in small quantities, just what you needBuy in small quantities, just what you need Smell fruit, should be fragrant. Feel it’s weight, ripe fruit Smell fruit, should be fragrant. Feel it’s weight, ripe fruit

feels “heavy”. Check color – green can indicate feels “heavy”. Check color – green can indicate underripeness. Some fruits will be soft to the touchunderripeness. Some fruits will be soft to the touch

Fruits you may not knowFruits you may not knowcherimoya dragonfruit

mangosteen

Rambutan lychee Carambola (starfruit)