Have you ever wondered why some fruits have seeds while others contain pits? It’s a fascinating aspect of nature that often goes unnoticed.
In this article, we will explore a list of fruits with seeds and those with pits, shedding light on the differences between the two.
Also, we’ll discuss fruits with seeds on the outside, the potential dangers of consuming certain fruit seeds, and the intriguing realm of seedless fruits.
So let’s jump into this journey to uncover the mysteries of nature’s fruitful offerings and learn more about the diverse and delicious world of fruits with seeds or pits.
In This Article
Understanding The Distinction: Seeds vs. Pits
Before we begin our exploration of fruits, it’s essential to grasp the basic difference between seeds and pits.
Seeds are the plant’s reproductive structures that hold the potential to sprout and give life to a new plant. On the other hand, pits, also known as stones or kernels, are hard, protective shells enclosing the seed within certain fruits.
Knowing this difference will help us appreciate how fruits reproduce and how they fit into our diets.
A List Of Fruits With Seeds
Now that we understand the distinction between seeds and pits let’s go through the list of fruits that contain seeds.
Fruits that contain seeds are apples, cucumbers, figs, grapes, kiwis, melons, oranges, pomegranates, persimmon, pears, passion fruits, papayas, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons. Let’s see how they look.
Apples
Apple seeds are located in the core, which is in the center of the fruit.
Cucumbers
Cucumber seeds are found in the center of the cucumber, surrounded by the flesh.
Dragon Fruits
Dragon fruit seeds are scattered throughout the flesh of the dragon fruit.
Figs
Fig seeds are inside the fleshy pulp of the fig fruit.
Grapes
The seeds are inside the grape, embedded within the flesh.
Kiwis
Kiwi seeds are distributed around the middle part of the flesh of the kiwi fruit.
Melons
Melon seeds are found in the center of the melon, surrounded by juicy fruit.
Oranges
Orange seeds are contained within the fleshy segments of the orange.
Pomegranates
Pomegranate seeds, also known as arils, are found within the juicy, red pulp of the pomegranate fruit.
Persimmon
Persimmon seeds are located within the fleshy pulp of the persimmon fruit.
Pears
Pear seeds are in the core, located at the center of the pear.
Passion Fruits
Passion fruit seeds are embedded in the gelatinous pulp, surrounded by a tough rind.
Papayas
Papaya seeds are found in the central cavity of the papaya fruit.
Pumpkins
Pumpkin seeds are located in the central cavity of the pumpkin, surrounded by fibrous flesh.
Squash
Squash seeds are located in the cavity at the center of the squash.
Tomatoes
Tomato seeds are contained in the inner, gel-like part of the tomato.
Watermelons
Watermelon seeds are typically found throughout the juicy flesh of the watermelon.
A List Of Fruits With A Pit
After exploring the fascinating world of fruits with seeds, it’s time to turn our attention to another group of fruits distinguished by their protective pits. These fruits boast a unique design, safeguarding their seeds within a sturdy casing.
Fruits that contain pits are apricot, avocado, cherry, date, mango, nectarine, olive, peach, and plum. Let us see how they look.
Apricot
The apricot pit is located in the center of the apricot fruit, surrounded by the flesh.
Avocado
The avocado pit, also known as the seed, is situated at the center of the avocado fruit.
Cherry
The cherry pit is inside the cherry fruit, surrounded by sweet or tart flesh.
Date
The date pit is located in the center of the date fruit, beneath the wrinkled outer skin.
Mango
The mango pit, which is large and flat, is located in the center of the mango fruit, surrounded by the juicy flesh.
Nectarine
The nectarine pit is found in the center of the nectarine fruit, surrounded by smooth skin and flesh.
Olive
The olive pit, also known as the stone, is located inside the olive fruit, surrounded by the fleshy pulp.
Peach
The peach pit, also known as the stone or kernel, is located in the center of the peach fruit.
Plum
The plum pit is located in the center of the plum fruit, surrounded by the juicy and sweet or tart flesh.
Fruits With Seeds Outside
As we continue our journey through the captivating realm of fruits, we encounter a curious and exceptional group of fruits with seeds outside their fleshy goodness. These seeds occupy an unconventional position.
Fruits that contain seeds outside are strawberries and pineberries. Let’s explore these fruits with seeds on the surface.
Strawberry
Strawberry seeds are on the surface of the strawberry, embedded in small pits called achenes.
Pineberry
Pineberries are a hybrid fruit with white flesh and red seeds. The seeds are spread throughout the outside of the pineberry.
Pro Tip: Pineberries are not true fruits in the botanical sense, but they are commonly referred to as such in culinary contexts.
Seedless Fruits: A Man-Made Marvel
Seedless fruits, a marvel achieved through human intervention. As the name suggests, these fruits lack the traditional seeds found in their counterparts, offering a convenient and delightful eating experience.
Through modern horticultural techniques, scientists and growers have developed these seedless varieties, catering to the preferences of fruit enthusiasts worldwide.
Seedless fruits are bananas, cucumbers, grapes, tomatoes, and watermelons. Now, let us see how they look:
Bananas
Seedless bananas are typically produced through parthenocarpy, a natural process where the fruit develops without fertilization, resulting in no seeds.
Cucumbers
Seedless cucumbers are usually grown from hybrid varieties that produce very small, soft, or undeveloped seeds, making them almost seedless.
Grapes
Seedless grapes are cultivated from naturally occurring mutations, and they are typically smaller and sweeter than grapes with seeds.
Oranges
Seedless oranges, like many other seedless fruits, are a result of parthenocarpy, where the fruit develops without fertilization, leading to fruits with very few or no seeds.
Tomatoes
Seedless tomatoes, also known as parthenocarpic tomatoes, develop without pollination, resulting in fruits with very few or no seeds.
Watermelons
Seedless watermelons are created by cross-breeding varieties with two sets of chromosomes, resulting in fruit without fully developed seeds.
Pro Tip: While these fruits are commonly referred to as “seedless,” they may still contain some small, underdeveloped seeds or seed traces, but they are generally not fully matured and are not viable for growing new plants.
Dangerous Fruit Seeds
Many people are concerned about the potential harm of consuming seeds of some fruits. Fruits with dangerous seeds are apples, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches, plums, and pears. Let’s explore these dangerous fruit seeds in more detail.
Apples
Apple seeds contain small amounts of amygdalin, which can release cyanide when chewed or crushed, though it would take consuming large quantities of seeds to be potentially harmful. [1]
Apricots
Apricot pits contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when ingested in large quantities, making them potentially dangerous. [2]
Cherries
Cherry pits contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when broken down, making them harmful if consumed in large amounts.
Nectarines
Nectarine pits contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when crushed or chewed, though the risk is generally low due to the small size of the pit. [3]
Peaches
Peach pits contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when ingested in large quantities, making them potentially harmful.
Plums
Plum pits contain amygdalin, which can release cyanide when broken down, making them harmful if consumed in large amounts.
Pears
Pear seeds, like apple seeds, contain small amounts of amygdalin, which can release cyanide when chewed or crushed but consuming a few seeds is unlikely to cause harm.
It is essential to understand the actual risks involved. While fruit seeds, like apple seeds, contain amygdalin, a compound made up of both cyanide and sugar, the likelihood of getting poisoned by them is incredibly low. This is because cyanide is only released from amygdalin when the seed is broken down and interacts with specific enzymes in your body.
The actual amount of cyanide in a single apple seed is relatively tiny, around 3 milligrams per gram of seed. To reach a fatal dose of cyanide, you would need to ingest at least 1.5 milligrams per kilogram of your body weight. This translates to having to chew and swallow hundreds of apple seeds to pose any serious risk to your health.
However, it’s worth noting that there are no known cases of anyone dying from eating fruit seeds. So, if you accidentally swallow a seed or two, there’s no need to worry. [4]
Fruits With Seeds Or Pits Final Thoughts
We have discussed the difference between seeds and pits, as well as a list of fruits with seeds and pits. We have also covered fruits with seeds outside, seedless fruit, and dangerous fruit seeds.
So, here you go! fruits with seeds or pits were briefly explained. If you enjoyed reading this article, check out our other similar ones in the Gardening How To section.
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