Tag: What is a grain

From a purely botanical perspective, all grains are technically a specific type of seed, but not all seeds are grains. This distinction often causes confusion for consumers, particularly when discussing healthy eating or alternative diets like gluten-free or paleo, where the classification of plant-based foods is critical.

By one widely circulated agricultural axiom, 'many grains are seeds, but not all seeds are grains'. A deep dive into botany reveals that while the terms are often used interchangeably in everyday language, there is a fundamental difference: all grains are botanically classified as a type of fruit, while a seed is the actual reproductive unit housed inside. This distinction is key to understanding plant biology and its application in food production.