Edible Parts of Fruits With Their Scientific Names and Types

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 is the name of edible parts of fruits and vegetables with their scientific names and fruit type. We have covered the most commonly used fruits and veggies we take in our daily life.

Fruit NameScientific nameEdible PartFruit Type
Lady finger/Bhindi/OkaraAbelmoschus esculentusComplete fruitCapsule
Cheeku/SapodillaAchras sapotaEndocarp and MesocarpBerry
Bel/Bael/Wood appleAegle marmelosPulpy endocarp (inner pericarp) and PlacentaAmphisaraca
Cashewnut/KajuAnacardium occidentaleCotyledon and PeduncleNut
Pineapple/Ananas sativusAnanas comosusFleshy axis, bracts, fused perianth, and Pericarp/Outer part of the receptacleSorosis
Custard apple/SitafalAnnona squamosaMesocarp/ and Thalamus/PericarpEtarios of Berries
Groundnut/PeanutArachis hypogeaCotyledon/SeedLomentum
Beetle nut/ Arecanut/SupariAreca catechuendosperm/SeedBerry
Jack Fruit/KathalArtocarpus integrifoliaBracts/Perianth and SeedSorosis
ChilliCapsicum frutescensComplete fruit including pericarp and placentaBerry
Papaya/PapitaCarica papayaEndocarp and MesocarpBerry
CerealsOryza 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
GramCicer arietinumCotyledon and embryoPod
Orange, Lime, Sweet OrangeCitrus reticulata, Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus SenensisGlandular Juicy hairsHesperidium
CoconutCocos NuciferaEndospermDrupe
Musk Melon/KharbujaCucumis meloSeeds, Endocarp, MesocarpPepos
WaterMelon/TarboojCucumis VulgarisSeeds, Endocarp, MesocarpPepos
Cucumber/KheeraCucumis sativusYoung seeds, Endocarp, MesocarpPepos
Fig/AnjeerFicus caricaFleshy receptacleSyconus
StrawberryFragaria vescaFleshy thalamusEtaerio of achenes
Dhamin/PhalsaGrewia asiaticaMesocarpDrupe
WalnutJuglans regiaBiobed cotyledons of seedDrupe
Bottle gourdLagenaria sicerariaMesocarp and EndocarpPepos
LitchiLitchi chinensisArilNut
TomatoLycopersicon esculentumComplete fruit including pericarp and placentaBerry
ApplePyrus malus and Malus sylvestrisFleshy thalamusPome
MangoMangifera indicaMesocarpDrupe
MulberryMorus alba and Morus nigraComplete fruit including fleshy perianth and axisSorosis
Date/KhajoorPhoenix dactyliferaPericarpBerry
AlmondPrunus amygdalusSeed including cotyledon and embryoDrupe
BananaMusa paradisiacaMesocarp (less developed) and Endocarp (well developed)Berry
GuavaPsidium guajavaComplete fruit including thalamus, pericarp, and placentaBerry
PulsesSeedLegume/Pod
Pomegranate/AnarPunica granatumFleshy-juicy testa of seedBalausta
Pear/SapotaPyrus communisFlashy thalamusPome
BrinjalSolanum melongenaComplete fruit including pericarp and placentaBerry
TamarindTamarindus indicaPericarp (Mesocarp)Lomentum
Water chestnut/SingharaTrapa bispinosaSeedNut
GrapesVitis viniferaComplete fruit including pericarp and placentaBerry
Chinese Dates/Jujube/BerZizyphus mauritiana and Zizyphus jujubeMesocarp and EpicarpDrupe
Cucurbitsdepending on varietyMesocarp and EpicarpA special type of berry
Edible parts of commonly known fruits and vegetables

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.

Edible part of the coconut

Parts of coconut fruit and their names
Parts of coconut fruit and their names

Coconut fruit has three parts:

  • The fleshy green or dry brown epicarp
  • Fibrous mesocarp
  • Stony – hard endocarp

Fruit type – Drupe

Fruit is developed from the monocarpellary superior ovary which is a single-seeded type of fruit.
The seed of coconut is endospermic, which means they have endosperm.
The edible part of the coconut is the endosperm, which is half cellular (white solid part) also called Kernal.
Half of the endosperm remains in a nuclear state also called a free nuclear state and it is a transparent liquid state (called coconut milk).

Thus, in drupe fruit, the fruit wall is the non-edible part while the seed which is endospermic is the edible part.

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