Fruit Lecture and Notes

Basic Vocabulary Parts of Fruit Seed – part new fruit grows from. Some are okay to eat, some are not. Flesh – soft part of fruit that is eaten. Usually sweet. Rind – hard outside of fruit, usually don’t eat Skin – soft or hard outside of fruit often eaten Core – middle part of fruit, usually not eaten, sometimes has seeds. FLESH SKIN SEEDS CORE RIND

Other Vocabulary Describing words Pulpy – soft, squishy, OR juice with bits of fruit in it Fleshy – soft, full, bulky Juicy – wet Netted – having a rough, net-like pattern

Fruit Classification - Pomes Smooth skin Large fleshy area that is around the core Often have several seeds Examples: Apples, pears, quince

Fruit Classification - Drupes Contain a single seed, or pit, Surrounded by juicy flesh Examples: Peach, coffee, mango, olive, coconut, apricot, cherry, plum

Fruit Classification - Berries Fragile Pulpy and juicy Tiny seeds in flesh Examples: Strawberries, kiwi, currant, passion fruit

Fruit Classification - Melons Hard outer surface that is smooth or netted juicy flesh Seeds in the center or in the flesh Examples: Cantaloupe, watermelon, bitter melon, winter melon

Fruit Classification - Citrus Grow in warm places Firm rind Pulpy flesh Rind often used for flavoring - zest Examples: Lemons, grapefruit, blood oranges, pummelo ZEST

Fruit Classification – Tropical Fruits Grow in very warm places Many fit into the different categories already discussed Many not grown in USA, some are Examples: Pineapple, banana, carambola, lychee, dragonfruit, papaya

Forms and Storage of Fruits Fresh: ripe fruits go bad easily and should stored the right way. Wash just before eating Handle fragile fruits gently to avoid bruising (like berries). Ripen fruits on the counter, then store in refrigerators Refrigerate fruits after cutting Where you find certain fruits in the grocery store can give you a clue where they should be kept at home

Forms and Storage (Cont.) Frozen: Store immediately in freezer. Do not thaw until ready to use. Do not refreeze. Canned: Cool, dry place. After opening can, fruits can go bad so put in a jar and store in refrigerator. Dried: Cool, dry place in original container. After opening, close container tightly.

Guidelines for Selecting Fruits Buy fruits that are: Avoid Fruits that are: Firm to the touch Too soft The right color Too hard Well Shaped Green or under-ripe Heavy for their size Damaged or bruised Smell good Rotten or Moldy In good condition Discolored

Preparation of Fruits Most are delicious when eaten RAW! They are more nutritious this way. Cutting raw fruit with low acid content, turns dark on when air touches it. This is called enzymatic browning. You can slow this by sprinkling the cut surface with acid like lemon juice! Buy fruits that are IN SEASON! Cost less, available and better flavor!

Preparation of Fruits Fruits can be cooked by: Simmering as in applesauce (When fruits are cooked in moist heat, the cellulose breaks down) Stewing as in peaches, pears (Fruits cooked with sugar or in syrup will keep their shape and texture) Baking as in apples Microwaving

Nutrition Notes What is healthy about fruits? Many have Vitamin C & A, and other vitamins and minerals Fruits are high in fiber – the skin has a lot of fiber – leave the skin on Most fruits are low in calories, - avocados & coconut are higher in calories Some fruits have good fats in them Most fruits (not all) are low in fat Fruits have a lot of water (your body needs water)

Is organic better than not organic? What does organic mean? - Organic = grown without chemicals on the farm They are about the same nutritionally - Same amount of calories, fat, protein, carbs Organic foods may have fewer chemicals on them. But there are only a tiny amount of chemicals on regular fruits Organic cost more Eating organic is a personal choice - Better for the environment Answer: Maybe

Is juice healthy? Not healthier than just eating whole fruit Water is a better drink Juice is high in calories & sugar (as much as pop) Juice has more sugar than eating normal fruit Whole fruit is better than juice because it has fiber – makes you full Juice does not have fiber, does have vitamins (which makes juice a tiny bit better than pop) Smoothie or juice made of whole fruit IS healthier – you get fiber – as long as there is not a lot of added sugar

Nutrient Contribution Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) found in citrus fruits. Helps to defend your immune system to prevent colds, flu, even scurvy! Heals wounds. Vitamin A: Found in fruits that are yellow to red in color (carotene) Prevents night blindness. Examples: Yellow melons, pineapples, apricot, peach Vitamin B: helps your brain function properly! Minerals: Iron helps to make new red blood cells Examples: oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe, dried fruit

More Nutrients Calcium: for strong bones and teeth Examples: oranges, strawberries, cantaloupes and dried fruits like figs, dates, raisins, prunes, etc. Sugar and cellulose are carbohydrates found in fruits. This is NATURAL sugars, which are the only sugars that should be eaten! They give the body energy. The skin and pulp cellulose that the body can’t digest, also known as FIBER!!!!!! Fruits are healthy because they contain very little protein and fat