The Everyday Understanding of "Berries"
In common culinary language, the word "berry" is used for almost any small, fleshy, and usually sweet fruit. This includes a wide array of popular fruits found in supermarkets and gardens, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries. This popular definition is based on size, taste, and use, not on a scientific classification. The term is a convenience, a simple way to refer to a group of fruits often used together in recipes, from pies and jams to smoothies.
Unveiling the Botanical Reality
Botany, the scientific study of plants, uses a much stricter definition. A true botanical berry is a fleshy fruit derived from a single ovary of a single flower. The entire ovary wall ripens into an edible pericarp, with the seeds embedded within the flesh. This definition leads to some surprising inclusions and exclusions from the popular concept of a berry.
Here is a list of fruits that are scientifically classified as true berries:
- Grapes: A classic example, with their fleshy interior and small, embedded seeds.
- Bananas: Though they may not look like a typical berry, their structure fits the definition perfectly.
- Tomatoes: A fleshy fruit with seeds throughout, making it a true berry.
- Blueberries and Cranberries: These are among the few fruits that fit both the popular and botanical definitions.
- Peppers: All types, from bell peppers to chili peppers, are botanical berries.
- Eggplants: Part of the nightshade family, this fleshy fruit with many seeds is a true berry.
Specialized Berry Types
Botanists also recognize subcategories of berries based on their specific structure:
- Hesperidium: A berry with a thick, leathery rind and fleshy interior divided into segments. Citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and kumquats are all hesperidiums.
- Pepo: A specialized berry with a hard, tough outer rind. Fruits in the gourd family, such as watermelons, cucumbers, and pumpkins, fall into this category.
The Aggregate Fruits
Many of our favorite small fruits that are not true berries belong to the category of aggregate fruits. These fruits develop from a single flower that has multiple ovaries, and as each ovary matures into a small 'fruitlet', they cluster together to form a single, larger fruit.
Examples of aggregate fruits include:
- Raspberries: A cluster of tiny drupelets, each from a separate ovary.
- Blackberries: Similar to raspberries, they are an aggregate of drupelets attached to a central core.
- Strawberries: Here, the fleshy part is actually the swollen receptacle of the flower, and the tiny "seeds" on the outside are the actual individual fruits, called achenes.
The Horticultural Perspective: "Small Fruits"
In horticulture, the term "small fruits" is used for a practical purpose: to refer to fruits produced on small perennial plants, bushes, or vines, distinguishing them from tree fruits. This is a more functional term than a scientific one and often includes both true berries and aggregate fruits.
Common "small fruit" crops include:
- Strawberries
- Raspberries
- Blueberries
- Currants
- Gooseberries
- Grapes
Beyond the Berry: Other Small Fruits
To further complicate things, some small fruits don't fit into either the true berry or aggregate fruit category. A significant group is the drupes, or stone fruits. These are characterized by a single, large seed (pit) surrounded by a hard, woody endocarp. Small drupes include cherries and sloes. When a fruit like a raspberry or blackberry is composed of many tiny drupes, they are called drupelets, which is why those fruits are aggregate fruits.
Small Fruit Classification: Culinary vs. Botanical
| Fruit | Culinary Category | Botanical Category |
|---|---|---|
| Strawberry | Berry | Aggregate Fruit |
| Raspberry | Berry | Aggregate Fruit (aggregate of drupelets) |
| Blackberry | Berry | Aggregate Fruit (aggregate of drupelets) |
| Blueberry | Berry | True Berry |
| Grape | Berry | True Berry |
| Banana | Not a Berry | True Berry |
| Cherry | Stone Fruit | Drupe |
| Tomato | Vegetable | True Berry |
| Watermelon | Melon | True Berry (Pepo) |
| Orange | Citrus Fruit | True Berry (Hesperidium) |
Why Does the Distinction Matter?
The difference between culinary and botanical terms exists because they serve different purposes. For a home cook or grocery shopper, calling a strawberry a berry is a useful shorthand based on its size and sweetness. For a botanist, the precise classification based on the flower's structure helps to understand plant evolution and relationships. Understanding this can be a fun conversation starter and provides a deeper appreciation for the variety and complexity of the plant world.
Conclusion: What is a small fruit called? The Takeaway
The short answer to what is a small fruit called is most often a "berry," especially in a culinary context. However, the precise classification depends on the fruit's botanical origins. True berries, like blueberries and grapes, originate from a single ovary, while aggregate fruits, such as raspberries and strawberries, come from a single flower with many ovaries. The horticultural term "small fruits" simply refers to those grown on small perennial plants. So, while you can continue to enjoy your "berries" without a second thought, knowing the science behind their names reveals a fascinating botanical world right in your own kitchen.
For more information on the botanical classification of fruits, you can read the Wikipedia article on berries.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Berry_(botany))
