Are Bananas Really Berries?

You know what they say – you are what you eat. In that case, it’s smart to know exactly what you’re eating. For example — tomatoes and olives are fruits, peas and almonds are technically seeds, and an eggplant is really a berry. 

While it may seem confusing, the differences come down to botanical definitions.

“The part of the plant that develops into a fruit is how classification is determined,” Alabama-based dietitian Chelsea Edwards tells Southern Living.

So when it comes to bananas, a popular source of dietary fiber and potassium, what is the proper classification? Surprising to most, bananas are considered a berry. 

“Bananas come from a single flower that grows into a single banana,” Edwards says. “Bananas also have tiny seeds that many people do not notice.”

Are Bananas Berries?

Yes, bananas are berries because they are a fleshy fruit with seeds inside that grow from a single flower. 

“Many people are surprised to learn that a banana tree flowers,” Edwards says.

So, botanically speaking, a banana is both a fruit and a berry.

What's The Difference Between a Fruit and a Berry?

All berries are fruits, but not all fruits are berries.

To determine what is a berry and what is a fruit, it’s important to differentiate between the two, botanically speaking.

“Berries are fleshy fruits that have many seeds and develop from a single ovary of a flower from a botanical standpoint,” Edwards explains.

“Fruits are defined as a plant's developed ovary that comes from a flower and contains one or multiple seeds. Based on that definition, many things we often call vegetables are actually fruit.” 

Some fruits include cucumbers, tomatoes, pumpkins, olives, sweet peppers, avocados, and green beans. Cranberries and blueberries are considered true berries due to growing each fruit from one flower.

More On Your Favorite Fruit

Are Raspberries Berries?

No, raspberries are not really berries. That’s right. Edwards says it may shock you to learn that raspberries are not considered true berries. 

“They are aggregate fruits, or fruits that consist of a number of smaller fruits,” she explains.

Are Grapes Berries?

Yes, grapes are botanically considered berries due to the fleshy fruit that comes from a single flower with no pit or stone. 

“Grapes meet the berry definition due to their fleshy texture and seed in the middle,” Edwards says.

Are Cherries Berries?

No. While cherries may be consumed similarly to berries and certainly have a berry-like appearance, cherries are not berries due to the hard pit in the center, which classifies them as stone fruits.