Wait, Avocados Are Berries?

Many people know that avocados are technically a fruit and not a vegetable, but you might be shocked to hear that they're in the same category as blueberries. You heard that right — avocados are scientifically categorized as berries. More specifically, they are defined as single-seed berries because of the large pit in the fruit's center, and there are even more intricacies that qualify them for the title.

While fruit lovers may define berries by their size, flavor, and appearance, the scientific community categorizes berries by their composition and structure. Berries grow from the single ovary of a plant; they have an outer layer known as the exocarp (in this case, the avocado's dark green, textured skin); and either multiple seeds or a single large seed in the center. Between the skin and the seed is the fleshy mesocarp; in avocados, this is the edible light green flesh that stores oils, vitamins, and fiber. Avocados meet all of these criteria to gain their berry status.

Single-seed berries like the avocado are similar in composition to drupes (think cherries, peaches, and olives). Still, they firmly fall into the berry category because they lack a stony pit. The avocado's pit, despite its common name, is not the seed itself, but a layer surrounding the seed, called the endocarp. The avocado's endocarp is thin and soft, unlike the pit of a fruit like the peach, which has a hard, bark-like endocarp. While there are several varieties of avocados, they all share these anatomical foundations that establish them as berries.

What else is considered a berry? You may be surprised to hear that bananas, watermelons, oranges, lemons, and limes are in this category. Like avocados, you can eat the interior flesh, but not the skin. But some fruits, technically defined as berries, have edible skins: Grapes,  cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, and peppers all qualify — they stem from a single ovary and therefore earn the title of a berry.

Cranberries and blueberries are part of the berry family, but not all "berries" botanically live up to their name. Strawberries aren't berries, and neither are raspberries and blackberries. Why do we call these fruits by these names? Well, there are two categorizations regarding berries — botanical and culinary. The botanical definition is strictly based on the fruit's anatomy, while the culinary definition is based on how we use the fruit.

Think that avocados and berries aren't similar at all, in a culinary sense? There are, surprisingly, a few ways to allow an avocado's buttery texture to co-mingle with the sweetness of culinary berries. One unexpected yet tasty tip is to use cranberries in your guacamole or in a smoothie. And don't forget about avocado toast or salads — strawberries and blueberries pair well with both, especially with a balsamic or red wine vinaigrette drizzle.