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cinating Fruit Facts: Discovering the Wonders of Nature's Sweet Bounty When we think of fruits, what usually comes to mind are their tantalizing tastes and the refreshing sensation they bring on hot days. But beyond their deliciousness, these wondrous creations of nature possess all sorts of interesting characteristics that you may not know about. Here are some cold fruit facts that will make you appreciate them even more: 1. Apples float in water – Apples are one of the few fruits that can float, even when they're ripe. This is because they have about 25% air, which helps them stay buoyant. In fact, floating apples were once used by ancient Romans to test if a body of water was safe for swimming. 2. Kiwifruit is not a native fruit of New Zealand – Even though kiwi is often associated with New Zealand, it actually originated in China. It wasn't until the early 20th century that the fruit was introduced to the country by a missionary named Isabel Fraser, who brought back some kiwi seeds from north China. 3. Avocado is a fruit, not a vegetable – Avocado is often categorized as a vegetable because it's commonly used in savory dishes as a garnish or dip. However, botanically speaking, it's a fruit because it contains a seed and grows on a tree. 4. Pineapple can dissolve meat – Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which can break down proteins and soften tissues. In fact, it's so powerful that it can dissolve meat, making it a popular ingredient in meat tenderizers. 5. Tomato is a source of umami – Umami is the fifth basic taste after sweet, sour, salty, and bitter, and it's often described as a savory, meaty flavor. Tomato is one of the foods that contain high levels of umami, which is why it's a common ingredient in dishes like pasta sauce, pizza, and soup. 6. Bananas are berries – Despite their long and cylindrical shape, bananas are actually classified as berries because they come from a single flower with a fleshy wall, enclosed by a tough skin. 7. Mangoes and pistachios belong to the same family – Mangoes and pistachios may seem like two unrelated fruits, but they're actually part of the same family – Anacardiaceae. Other members of this family include cashews and sumac. 8. Citrus fruits can be green or yellow, even when ripe – Unlike most fruit, which change color when fully ripe, citrus fruits like lemons, limes, and oranges can remain green or yellow regardless of their level of ripeness. This is because the color of citrus fruits is not a reliable indicator of their flavor or texture. 9. Strawberries are not actually berries – While some fruits that are commonly called berries, such as blueberries and raspberries, are classified as such botanically, strawberries are not. They're technically classified as an aggregate accessory fruit, which means that they're made up of multiple small fruits that develop from the flower's receptacle. 10 Watermelon is 92% water – Perhaps the fruit with the highest water content, watermelon contains about 92% water, making it a great thirst quencher on hot summer days. It also contains significant amounts of vitamins A, C, and B6, as well as potassium and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. Next time you bite into a juicy fruit, take a moment to appreciate its incredible characteristics and the wonders of nature that brought it to your table. From their buoyancy to their umami content, fruits never cease to surprise and delight us.
