Fruits, those delightful treasures of nature, offer us not only a burst of exquisite flavors but also a powerhouse of nutrition that fuels our well-being. These colorful wonders are brimming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that act as guardians of our health, shielding us from ailments.
But there’s more to these luscious treats than meets the eye – they come with a medley of edible parts that invite us to explore a world of culinary possibilities. In this article, we’ll embark on a journey through the various edible parts of fruits, discovering their scientific names, fruit types, and the incredible ways they can tickle our taste buds and nourish our bodies.
Prepare to be enlightened as we unravel the secrets of the pericarp, mesocarp, endocarp, placenta, seed and thalamus, fleshy receptacle, juicy placental hairs, testa, bracts, perianth, cotyledon, endosperm, entire fruits, seeds, stem, leaves, calyx, and peel (skin). We’ll delve into the heart of the matter, shedding light on these components that often go unnoticed in our daily fruit feasting.
Let’s embark on this flavorful expedition together, as we uncover the hidden gems within our favorite fruits and vegetables. From the tender crunch of a ripe apple’s peel to the delicate embrace of a juicy placental hair, every part has a story to tell and a taste to savor.
Fruits and Edibles
Below are the names of edible parts of fruits and vegetables with their scientific names and fruit types. We have covered the most commonly used fruits and veggies we take in our daily lives.
Fruit Name | Scientific name | Edible Part | Fruit Type |
Lady finger/Bhindi/Okara | Abelmoschus esculentus | Complete fruit | Capsule |
Cheeku/Sapodilla | Achras sapota | Endocarp and Mesocarp | Berry |
Bel/Bael/Wood apple | Aegle marmelos | Pulpy endocarp (inner pericarp) and Placenta | Amphisaraca |
Cashewnut/Kaju | Anacardium occidentale | Cotyledon and Peduncle | Nut |
Pineapple/Ananas sativus | Ananas comosus | Fleshy axis, bracts, fused perianth, and Pericarp/Outer part of the receptacle | Sorosis |
Custard apple/Sitafal | Annona squamosa | Mesocarp/ and Thalamus/Pericarp | Etarios of Berries |
Groundnut/Peanut | Arachis hypogea | Cotyledon/Seed | Lomentum |
Beetle nut/ Arecanut/Supari | Areca catechu | endosperm/Seed | Berry |
Jack Fruit/Kathal | Artocarpus integrifolia | Bracts/Perianth and Seed | Sorosis |
Chilli | Capsicum frutescens | Complete fruit including pericarp and placenta | Berry |
Papaya/Papita | Carica papaya | Endocarp and Mesocarp | Berry |
Cereals | Oryza sativa (Rice), Avena sativa (Oat), Zea mays (Maize), Triticum durum (Durum Wheat), Triticum aestivum (Bread Wheat), Hordeum vulgare (Barley) | Complete starchy fruit (Endosperm and Embryo) | Caryopsis |
Gram | Cicer arietinum | Cotyledon and embryo | Pod |
Orange, Lime, Sweet Orange | Citrus reticulata, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus Sinensis | Glandular Juicy hairs | Hesperidium |
Coconut | Cocos Nucifera | Endosperm | Drupe |
Musk Melon/Kharbuja | Cucumis melo | Seeds, Endocarp, Mesocarp | Pepos |
WaterMelon/Tarbooj | Cucumis Vulgaris | Seeds, Endocarp, Mesocarp | Pepos |
Cucumber/Kheera | Cucumis sativus | Young seeds, Endocarp, Mesocarp | Pepos |
Fig/Anjeer | Ficus carica | Fleshy receptacle | Syconus |
Strawberry | Fragaria vesca | Fleshy thalamus | Etaerio of achenes |
Dhamin/Phalsa | Grewia asiatica | Mesocarp | Drupe |
Walnut | Juglans regia | Biobed cotyledons of seed | Drupe |
Bottle gourd | Lagenaria siceraria | Mesocarp and Endocarp | Pepos |
Litchi | Litchi chinensis | Aril | Nut |
Tomato | Lycopersicon esculentum | Complete fruit including pericarp and placenta | Berry |
Apple | Pyrus malus and Malus sylvestris | Fleshy thalamus | Pome |
Mango | Mangifera indica | Mesocarp | Drupe |
Mulberry | Morus alba and Morus nigra | Complete fruit including fleshy perianth and axis | Sorosis |
Date/Khajoor | Phoenix dactylifera | Pericarp | Berry |
Almond | Prunus amygdalus | Seed including cotyledon and embryo | Drupe |
Banana | Musa paradisiaca | Mesocarp (less developed) and Endocarp (well developed) | Berry |
Guava | Psidium guajava | Complete fruit including thalamus, pericarp, and placenta | Berry |
Pulses | – | Seed | Legume/Pod |
Pomegranate/Anar | Punica granatum | Fleshy-juicy testa of seed | Balausta |
Pear/Sapota | Pyrus communis | Flashy thalamus | Pome |
Brinjal | Solanum melongena | Complete fruit including pericarp and placenta | Berry |
Tamarind | Tamarindus indica | Pericarp (Mesocarp) | Lomentum |
Water chestnut/Singhara | Trapa bispinosa | Seed | Nut |
Grapes | Vitis vinifera | Complete fruit including pericarp and placenta | Berry |
Chinese Dates/Jujube/Ber | Zizyphus mauritiana and Zizyphus jujube | Mesocarp and Epicarp | Drupe |
Cucurbits | depending on variety | Mesocarp and Epicarp | A special type of berry |
The most common edible part of a fruit is its flesh. This is the juicy, sweet part that we commonly think of when we think of fruit. It is usually a bright color and can vary in texture from soft and juicy to crunchy and firm. The flesh is the part of the fruit that is most often eaten raw, but it can also be cooked or juiced. Examples of fruits with edible flesh include apples, oranges, grapes, pears, and mangoes.
Another edible part of a fruit is the skin. The skin is the outermost layer of the fruit and can be eaten raw or cooked. The texture of the skin can vary between fruits and can range from thin and delicate to thick and tough. The skin of the fruit contains many beneficial nutrients, including fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants. Examples of fruits with edible skin include apples, lemons, limes, and watermelons.
The seeds of the fruit are also edible. These are the tiny, hard, inedible parts of the fruit inside the flesh. The seeds can be eaten raw or cooked, and they contain beneficial nutrients such as protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Examples of fruits with edible seeds include apples, pears, strawberries, and kiwis.
The pulp of the fruit is another edible part. This is the soft, juicy part of the fruit that is found just beneath the skin. The pulp is usually white or cream-colored and is full of flavor. This part of the fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is a great source of vitamins and minerals. Examples of fruits with edible pulp include oranges, bananas, and papayas.
Finally, the stems and leaves of some fruits are edible. The stems and leaves of fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, and they contain beneficial nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Examples of fruits with edible stems and leaves include kiwis, raspberries, and blackberries.
The edible part of the coconut

Coconut fruit has three parts
Coconut comes in the category of Drupe fruit. In botanical terminology, the structure of a fruit can be divided into three distinct layers: the epicarp, mesocarp, and endocarp.
The epicarp, also known as the exocarp, forms the outermost layer of the fruit. It can present itself in various forms, such as fleshy green, as seen in fruits like grapes and tomatoes, or dry and brown, as observed in nuts and certain types of berries.
Beneath the epicarp lies the mesocarp, which is the middle layer of the fruit. This layer is often fibrous and can vary greatly in thickness and texture, contributing significantly to the fruit’s overall structure and edibility. In many fruits, the mesocarp is the most substantial part, providing the juicy, fleshy portion that is commonly consumed.
At the core of the fruit is the endocarp, which is typically the innermost layer. This layer is usually stony-hard and surrounds the seed, providing a protective barrier. Examples include the hard pit found in peaches, cherries, and olives. The endocarp’s hardness is essential for the protection and successful dispersal of the seed.
The coconut fruit develops from a monocarpellary superior ovary and is a single-seeded type of fruit. The seed of the coconut is endospermic, meaning it contains an endosperm. The edible part of the coconut is the endosperm, which is partly cellular, forming the white solid part known as the kernel. The other part of the endosperm remains in a free nuclear state, a transparent liquid commonly referred to as coconut milk.