Why are Biological Fruits like Tomatoes Considered Vegetables?
This is a question I've been thinking about for a hot minute. If avocados, bell peppers, tomatoes and et cetera are biologically fruits, why do we use them as vegetables in American culture? According to the image below, a fruit comes from the seed bearing cycle of a flowering plant, after the plant goes through its flowering season. The vegetable, on the other hand, is any other part of a plant that is edible, even if it doesn't flower. The difference is that biological vegetables often have more fiber and potassium, but are not necessarily way healthier. In 1893 during the case of Nix vs Hedden , fruits like tomatoes were decreed vegetables because of their culinary use, while acknowledging . The Tariff Act of 1883 decreed that vegetables would have a 10% tax due to the government wanting the people to support local farmers more. As less fruits were bought from foreign countries, there was no tax for fruits. John Nix, a produce wholesaler, wanted to import tomatoes overseas w...