After centuries of debate, the question has finally been answered so that you can settle your next dinner-party argument right now. The answer? It depends on who you ask. If you’re asking an American or Irish person, the answer will most likely be that potatoes are vegetables (and it’s true). However, if you’re asking a French person, they will most definitely say that potatoes are a fruit because they grow on vines.
What Makes Something A Vegetable?
Any edible part of a plant that isn’t directly involved in producing seeds is considered by botanists to be a vegetable. Potatoes are vegetables because they come from flowers (in case you weren’t aware, plants also have flowers) and not pods as beans or berries do. A potato stem forms underground, while potatoes can form on any part of stalks above ground. It all comes down to whether you’re using your scientific reasoning skills when deciding whether something is a vegetable or not!
What Makes Something A Fruit?
Something grows from a flower, and it’s generally considered a fruit. Even if potatoes grow underground, they still come from flowers and belong in that category of edibles known as fruits. Fruit is indeed a broader classification than vegetables, but how we divide these categories depends on more than just how we get them out of nature (in other words, don’t worry about taking sides in an argument over whether potatoes are vegetables or fruits). Some fruits and vegetables—such as corn—are grown for their kernels; others—such as tomatoes—are eaten for their fleshy parts and skin. In terms of botany, fruits are reproductive organs produced by plants as part of their life cycle.
So What Are Potatoes, Then?
If you go strictly by botanical definition, potatoes are neither fruit nor vegetable (they’re considered starchy tubers). But culturally, most people think of them as more like a vegetable. And that’s important because if you think of potatoes as fruits, you may fail to realize how many servings per day you should be eating (and nutritionists will tell you that’s where most people miss their mark). For example, even though sweet potatoes contain more vitamin A than carrots, most people still count their vegetables because they don’t treat them like fruits in their kitchen.
Frequently Ask Questions
- Are potatoes a carb?
Ans. If you eat potatoes, then yes! Potatoes are generally served as either an accompaniment to another food (such as beef and broccoli) or on their own (potato salad, mashed potatoes), meaning they’re usually considered carbs.
- Are potatoes good for you?
Ans. Potatoes are quite nutritious. They’re high in fiber, vitamins and minerals like iron, potassium and vitamin C. They can help lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease when eaten in moderation. Although potatoes used to be considered unhealthy due to their high starch content—and therefore suspected to cause weight gain—recent studies have shown that they don’t make you fat, especially if you eat them with a portion of protein-rich food such as eggs for breakfast.
- What different types of potatoes are there?
Ans. Potatoes are often referred to as a vegetable, yet in reality, it is considered both a fruit and a vegetable by many scientists. Botanically speaking, two different types of potatoes differ in taste and appearance. The most common potato consumed today is from an edible tuberous root known as Solanum tuberosum. These potatoes grow below the ground and have white flesh. The other more popular potato is called the nightshade family. These potatoes grow above the ground and have yellow flesh with dark brown spots.
A potato is a vegetable because it comes from the ground and is used for food. However, its nutritional content and taste more closely align with fruits than vegetables. Potatoes are rich in potassium and fiber but contain large amounts of sugar, like your typical dessert fruit! Whether you want to classify potatoes as vegetables or fruit is up to you—but don’t limit yourself to just one serving! Fresh potatoes can be loaded with nutrients that promote healthy eyesight and skin, reduce your risk of diabetes, improve heart health and more! This small but mighty tuber is a powerful addition to any meal plan—and should not be classified as either vegetable or fruit!
