• Who would have thought… anecdotes and curiosities about fruit

Who would have thought… anecdotes and curiosities about fruit

It’s true…all of it

The unexpected color of oranges, the DNA of bananas and the danger of putting grapes in the microwave. Here we list some of the most surprising curiosities about the fruits that often keep us company during our meals, but of which we ignore many incredible secrets, but all of them true.

Benefits of consuming fruit in the colder months
Chestnuts

False fruits

A favorite of many, strawberries aren’t technically a fruit. Cataloged as “false fruits” or “complex fruits” they are the only ones to have their seeds on the outside, on the surface. In fact these same seeds, called achenes, are the real fruit, while the pulp is the inflorescence of the plant, development of the aggregate receptacle of the flower.

Used as remedies by the ancient Romans

They are very healthy, and even used by the ancient Romans as a remedy for diseases, not just as a delicacy. However, the strawberries of our Latin ancestors are not the same as the garden strawberries we are used to. The Romans cultivated wild strawberries, while strawberries as we understand them are a cross of species from the Americas.

Bananas

The radioactive bananas

Not a science fiction movie from the 60s, nor a punk band from the 70s, bananas are indeed naturally radioactive fruits given the high potassium content. Obviously we mean more radioactive compared other fruit, and therefore they are not dangerous at all, quite the contrary. They are rich in water, vitamins and healthy elements for the mood as well as for our body.

50% of our DNA

Humans share 50% of their DNA with this exotic fruit. Obviously it is organized differently internally, at the level of the chromosomes. This fact is less shocking when you consider that we share 99% of our DNA with that of monkeys and 90% with that of cats. The fact remains that, at least at 50%, all the people you know have a lot in common with bananas.

Oranges

Are the oranges orange?

Technically speaking they are not. The color depends on the origin of the fruit. Since they are a cross between mandarin and pomelo, the natural color of oranges is green. In our mild climates the internal chlorophyll is demolished and the result is the color from which these fruits have taken their common name. This is the reason why the vast majority of oranges are always orange and only in the hottest environments on the planet do they still have their original green color. In addition, many of the originally green oranges from other countries are ripened faster to reach the color we are used to.

Less vitamin C than other fruits

They do not have low quantities of Vitamin C, but they are not even in the top 10 of the fruits richest in the precious vitamin. Kiwi, strawberries, litchis, strawberries, papaya and many other fruits have more. However, orange is still one of the best foods for the immune system as it is a source of many vitamins in addition to C, and therefore should not be underestimated, on the contrary.

Tomatoes

Half fruit and half vegetable

Is the tomato a vegetable or a fruit? According to science and botany it is actually a fruit, as well as cucumbers, peppers and pumpkins if we follow the scientific definitions. However, in the culinary context and by nutritionists it is considered a vegetable, a term with a broader meaning than the definitions of botanists and therefore also includes the tomato. In short, it is a fruit in the world of botany and a vegetable in the world of cooking.

Talk to any cook or pastry chef and he will tell you that tomato is a vegetable and that he will never put it in the place of strawberries on the cake. We advise against replying that technically not even strawberries are fruit. In short, if you are a fussy person or a botanist, don’t talk to the pastry chef.

The most eaten fruit/vegetable in the world

Whatever you want to call it, fruit if you are a scientist or a vegetable if you are a normal person, tomato is one of the most consumed foods in the world. It is in first place in the ranking of the most consumed fruit if we consider it a fruit, while if we consider it a vegetable the most consumed fruit becomes the watermelon.

White grapes

Sparking plasma explosion, grapes in the microwave

The award for “wackiest curiosity about fruit” goes to grapes when placed in the microwave. It appears that the energy generated by activating the microwave charges the electrolytes and water contained in the grapes, which are pushed out in a small explosion of sparking plasma. However, it is highly not recommended to attempt the experiment, as this phenomenon damages the microwave.