The Nutritional Value of Various Types of Fruits and Vegetables

In botany, a fruit tree is a structure especially in flowering plants which is formed by the ovary especially in connection with the production of seeds. Basically, fruit trees are those that bear fruit after the maturity period has expired. Besides, a fruit tree is a berry (a spurt fruit) and its fruits are dried to make preserves or candied fruits. Fruit trees can be grafted, planted or even grown from seed. A fruit tree will grow up to three meters high and its branches and leaves should be used for climbing purposes.

The fruit consists mainly of pulp enclosed in an edible part. The edible part is usually white or colored. The parts have a rough rind that may be used to separate pieces from the pulp. When picking the fruit from the tree, use only sharp blades to avoid any cuts. The pericarp is the part of the fruit that contains the seeds.

The different kinds of fruit are the following: blueberry, cherry, kiwi, lemon, blackberry, pear, pomegranate, strawberry, banana, plum, grapes, peaches, kiwi, bilberry, snapdragon, tamarindo, tango, lychee, kiwi and luau. These can be further subdivided into simple fruits (those that contain a single seed), semi-simple fruits (those that contain two to five seeds), complex fruits (those that contain one to nine seeds) and multicellular fruits (those that contain more than ten seeds). Simple fruits are those that ripen on the surface and semi-simple ones that need to be fermented before they ripen. On the other hand, complex fruits are those that ferment through the entire process of spoilage.

All the types of fruit mentioned above have some common components, including acid, water, sugar, rind, pulp and a protective covering or skin. Stone fruit, on the other hand, does not have any of these components, which is why it is considered as an edible fruit. Stone fruits are hard and green in color and can be eaten raw or cooked. Cooking eliminates most of its nutritious content except for the Vitamin C which is present in small amounts in a raw stone fruit.

Berries include water-soaked dried fruits like dried apricots, dried mangoes, dried apples and dried raisins. Dried plums, pineapples, prunes and gooseberries are also classed under berries. Dried plums are a good source of fiber and vitamin C, as well as folic acid. Dried apricots are good source of vitamin A and potassium. Dried mangoes are rich in fructose, beta-carotene, iron and Folic acid. Berries, however, like other fruits do not contain high amounts of these nutrients.

On the other hand, vegetables have seeds that contain a lot of nutrients needed by our body to grow, develop. Vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts are a good example of seed-containing vegetables. Vegetables usually come with stems, leaves and sometimes seeds, which makes them more appetizing. In terms of taste, bitter vegetables usually have stronger flavors and are less healthy compared to sweet ones.