Fruits vs. Nuts — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 14, 2024
Fruits typically develop from the flowering part of a plant and contain seeds, while nuts are hard-shelled fruits that contain one seed and typically do not open to release their seed.
Difference Between Fruits and Nuts
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fruits generally grow from the flowers of plants and are meant to spread seeds, while nuts are a type of fruit characterized by a tough, inedible outer shell that houses a single, edible seed. Fruits can be fleshy like apples or peaches, which helps in attracting animals to eat them and disperse the seeds. Nuts, on the other hand, rely more on their hard shell for protection against predators.
Fruits often come in a variety of tastes, textures, and colors, designed to appeal to different animals, which aids in seed dispersal. Nuts, whereas, are typically less varied in taste and texture but prized for their high energy content and nutritional value, making them a vital food source for many animals, including humans.
Most fruits are eaten raw and can be included directly in diets, offering a range of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. On the other hand, nuts often require some form of processing like roasting or shelling before consumption and are known for their high protein and fat content, which provides sustained energy.
The role of fruits in the plant's life cycle includes enticing animals to help with seed dispersal. Conversely, nuts, with their tough shells, are adapted to protect the seed until conditions are favorable for germination, rather than facilitating dispersal through consumption.
In terms of culinary uses, fruits are versatile and used in a broad spectrum of dishes from sweet to savory. Nuts, whereas, are commonly used as snacks, in baking, or as garnishes, providing texture and flavor to a variety of dishes.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Plant
Develop from the flower
Hard-shelled fruits that don’t open
Seed Configuration
Often contain multiple seeds
Typically contain one seed
Taste and Texture
Can be sweet, tart, or juicy
Generally hard and crunchy
Nutritional Content
High in vitamins and water content
High in fats, proteins, and calories
Culinary Uses
Eaten raw, in desserts, or savory dishes
Used as snacks, in baking, or as garnishes
Compare with Definitions
Fruits
A mature ovary of a flowering plant, usually containing seeds.
Apples and oranges are popular types of fruits.
Nuts
A fruit composed of a hard shell and a seed, which is generally edible.
Chestnuts need to be cooked to eat their edible seeds.
Fruits
Part of the plant used in cooking or food.
Tomatoes are technically fruits, though often used as vegetables.
Nuts
Botanically, a type of fruit that doesn’t naturally open to release its seed.
Hazelnuts are true botanical nuts.
Fruits
Sweet and fleshy product of a tree or other plant that contains seed.
Mangoes are tropical fruits with a juicy sweetness.
Nuts
A hard, inedible outer shell containing a single, edible seed.
Almonds and walnuts are types of nuts.
Fruits
Botanical term used to describe the seed-bearing structure in flowering plants.
The fruit of the plant develops after fertilization.
Nuts
In culinary terms, any large, oily kernel found within a shell used in food.
Peanuts are often called nuts, but they are actually legumes.
Fruits
In common usage, any sweet, edible part of a plant that resembles fruit, even if it does not develop from the floral ovary.
Strawberries are commonly called fruits, though botanically they are not.
Nuts
An energy-dense food source, high in proteins and fats.
Nuts are a good source of energy and nutrients.
Fruits
The ripened ovary or ovaries of a seed-bearing plant, together with accessory parts, containing the seeds and occurring in a wide variety of forms.
Nuts
Crazy or foolish.
Fruits
An edible, usually sweet and fleshy form of such a structure.
Nuts
Extremely enthusiastic
I'm nuts about opera.
Fruits
A part or an amount of such a plant product, served as food
Fruit for dessert.
Nuts
Used to express contempt, disappointment, or refusal.
Fruits
The fertile, often spore-bearing structure of a plant that does not bear seeds.
Nuts
Plural of nut
Fruits
A plant crop or product
The fruits of the earth.
Nuts
(poker) An unbeatable hand; the best poker hand available.
If the board is 237QA, all of spades, the nuts is 45 of spades.
If the board is 4444J, the nuts is any hand with an ace.
Fruits
Result; outcome
The fruit of their labor.
Nuts
(colloquial) Insane, mad.
After living on the island alone for five years, he eventually went nuts.
Fruits
Offspring; progeny.
Nuts
Crazy, mad; unusually pleased or, alternatively, angered.
I just go nuts over her fantastic desserts.
The referee made a bad call against the home team and the crowd went nuts.
Fruits
A fruity aroma or flavor in a wine.
Nuts
(colloquial) Very fond of (on) someone.
He's been nuts on her since the day they met.
Fruits
Offensive Slang Used as a disparaging term for a gay man.
Nuts
Indicates annoyance, anger, or disappointment.
Nuts! They didn't even listen to what I had to say.
Fruits
To produce or cause to produce fruit.
Nuts
Signifies rejection of a proposal or idea, as in no way, or nothing doing; often followed by to.}}
They want me to pay $5 for a banana? Nuts to that!
Fruits
Plural of fruit
Nuts
Crazy; loony; insane; batty; - used in a predicate position, ususually in phrases such as to go nuts, went nuts, are you nuts?
Nuts
An expression of disapproval, defiance, or displeasure, as in: "Ah, nuts! My knife just broke."
Nuts
Informal or slang terms for mentally irregular;
It used to drive my husband balmy
Common Curiosities
What defines a nut?
A nut is a hard-shelled fruit that does not open to release its seed.
Why are fruits colorful?
Fruit colors help attract animals who eat them and thus help in seed dispersal.
What defines a fruit?
A fruit is the mature ovary of a flower, usually containing seeds.
Are all fruits sweet?
No, fruits vary widely in flavor from sweet to tart or even bitter.
Is a coconut a fruit or a nut?
A coconut is considered a fruit, specifically a drupe.
Can nuts be eaten raw?
Many nuts can be eaten raw, but some, like almonds, are often roasted to enhance flavor.
What nutritional benefits do nuts offer?
Nuts are high in proteins, fats, and essential fatty acids.
What are the culinary uses of fruits?
Fruits are used in desserts, smoothies, salads, and even some savory dishes.
What is a false fruit?
A false fruit develops from parts other than the ovary, such as the base of the flower.
How do fruits help plants?
Fruits aid in seed dispersal, crucial for plant reproduction.
How do nuts differ from seeds?
Nuts are technically seeds, but they are enclosed in a hard shell.
Are seeds in nuts always edible?
Yes, the seeds in nuts are generally edible, although the outer shell is not.
Which are healthier: fruits or nuts?
Both are healthy, but they offer different nutrients: fruits are high in vitamins and water, while nuts provide protein and fats.
Can fruits be dried?
Yes, many fruits are commonly dried for preservation, like apricots and raisins.
Why are nuts considered good for heart health?
Nuts contain healthy fats and fibers that are beneficial for heart health.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
