FruitsFruits

Classification, nutrients, Classification, nutrients, purchasing, preparing and purchasing, preparing and

storingstoring

What are fruitsWhat are fruits

In In botanybotany, a fruit is the , a fruit is the ripenedripened ovaryovary—together —together with with seedsseeds—of a —of a flowering plantflowering plant. Fruits are the . Fruits are the means by which flowering plants disseminate means by which flowering plants disseminate seedsseeds

In In cuisinecuisine, when discussing fruit as , when discussing fruit as foodfood, the term , the term usually refers to those usually refers to those plantplant fruits that are sweet fruits that are sweet and fleshy, examples of which include and fleshy, examples of which include plumsplums, , applesapples and and orangesoranges. However, a great many . However, a great many common 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 Fruits are classified into six categories depending on their physical characteristics: berries, drupes, on their physical characteristics: berries, drupes, pomes. Citrus, melons and tropical.pomes. 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, grapes, includes strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, grapes, cranberries and blackcurrants. Except for cranberries, all cranberries and blackcurrants. Except for cranberries, all are highly perishable. Soften with freezing, but make are highly perishable. Soften with freezing, but make very good jams, jellies and preserves.very good jams, jellies and 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. single, large seed, called a pit or stone. Include cherries, peaches, apricots and plums.Include cherries, peaches, apricots and plums.

POMESPOMES

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

CITRUS FRUITCITRUS FRUIT

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

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

seeds in the center. Include watermelon, seeds in the center. Include watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, casaba.cantaloupe, 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 Serving size is one medium size piece, ½

cup chopped fruit and ¾ cup fruit juicecup chopped fruit and ¾ cup fruit juice Citrus fruits provide high amounts of Citrus fruits provide high amounts of

Vitamin C and prevent scurvy (limies)Vitamin C 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 – watch for added sugars and syrups, also pick cans with NO dents or syrups, also pick cans with NO dents or bulgesbulges

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

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

Preparing fruitPreparing fruit

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

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

Peel or pare fruit to remove as little of Peel or pare fruit to remove as little of flesh as possible, or wash well and eat the flesh as possible, or wash well and eat the skin (extra fiber).skin (extra 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 Ripen drupes (apricots, peaches, avocado) in

brown paper bagsbrown paper 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, Smell fruit, should be fragrant. Feel it’s weight,

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

Fruits you may not knowFruits you may not knowcherimoya dragonfruit

mangosteen

Rambutan lychee Carambola (starfruit)