FruitFruitVRQ2 TheoryVRQ2 Theory

Unit 708Unit 708UPK 708UPK 708

The difference between Fruit and The difference between Fruit and VegetablesVegetables

The main difference is that Fruit are meant to The main difference is that Fruit are meant to be eaten, whereas the majority of vegetables be eaten, whereas the majority of vegetables that we eat are the nutrient or food store of that that we eat are the nutrient or food store of that plant that allows it to reach maturity and plant that allows it to reach maturity and develop seeds to reproduce itself.develop seeds to reproduce itself.

The evolutionary separation between the two The evolutionary separation between the two is the strategy that each type uses to reproduce is the strategy that each type uses to reproduce itself.itself.

Fruit and Vegetable reproductionFruit and Vegetable reproduction Most vegetables Most vegetables

reproduce via seeds that reproduce via seeds that are generated from mature are generated from mature plants that have flowered, plants that have flowered, been cross pollinated by been cross pollinated by insects and seed heads insects and seed heads allowed to develop, allowed to develop, mature and produce seeds.mature and produce seeds.

These seeds are then These seeds are then widely dispersed via widely dispersed via whatever means necessary whatever means necessary to propagate the plant. to propagate the plant.

Fruit and Vegetable reproduction, cont,Fruit and Vegetable reproduction, cont, Fruits follow the same method Fruits follow the same method

as most plants, but the crucial as most plants, but the crucial step is the development of the step is the development of the fruit after the cross pollination fruit after the cross pollination of the flowers.of the flowers.

In order for the seeds to be In order for the seeds to be dispersed as widely as dispersed as widely as possible, Fruit plants evolved possible, Fruit plants evolved the fruit which is highly the fruit which is highly attractive to animals because attractive to animals because of their scents and sugar of their scents and sugar contentcontent

The fruit seeds are then carried The fruit seeds are then carried in the animals digestive system in the animals digestive system to be passed out at a later date to be passed out at a later date in their own little pile of in their own little pile of fertiliserfertiliser

Fruit and Vegetable reproduction, cont,Fruit and Vegetable reproduction, cont,

This method allows for a This method allows for a greater dispersion of the greater dispersion of the plant, as it prevents plant, as it prevents competition of the seedling competition of the seedling with the parent plant if the with the parent plant if the seeds were just dropped.seeds were just dropped.

Seeds have armoured or Seeds have armoured or tough outer layouts that resist tough outer layouts that resist stomach acids, this allows stomach acids, this allows them to survive the journey them to survive the journey through the digestive system through the digestive system of the animal that has eaten of the animal that has eaten them.them.

What is a Fruit?What is a Fruit? A fruits is defined as the organ that develops from A fruits is defined as the organ that develops from

the ovary and surrounds the seeds of a plantthe ovary and surrounds the seeds of a plant They have a high sugar content and a highly They have a high sugar content and a highly

distinctive smell that attracts animals to them.distinctive smell that attracts animals to them. These only happen when the fruit is ripe, this These only happen when the fruit is ripe, this

gives the plant time to develop it seeds fully, so gives the plant time to develop it seeds fully, so they have a better chance of survivalthey have a better chance of survival

Fruit as Vegetables and Vice VersaFruit as Vegetables and Vice Versa The classification of fruit and vegetables has The classification of fruit and vegetables has

led to some interesting mix ups, most notably led to some interesting mix ups, most notably Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Peas, Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Peas, which are fruits, but are mainly used as which are fruits, but are mainly used as vegetablesvegetables

A vegetable used as a fruit is Rhubarb (Stem A vegetable used as a fruit is Rhubarb (Stem vegetable)vegetable)

Benefits of Fruit and VegetablesBenefits of Fruit and Vegetables

Fruit and Veg are an Fruit and Veg are an important source of dietary important source of dietary fibre that prevents fibre that prevents constipation and mops up constipation and mops up toxins in the intestinestoxins in the intestines

The strong colours of Fruit The strong colours of Fruit and Veg are a good source and Veg are a good source of antioxidants that help of antioxidants that help keep our bodies in good keep our bodies in good orderorder

They are a valuable source They are a valuable source of vitamins, mostly A, C, E of vitamins, mostly A, C, E and Folic acidand Folic acid

Fruit ProductionFruit Production Each country in the world cultivates its own Each country in the world cultivates its own

specific and native fruitsspecific and native fruits With the advent of cheap air and sea freight With the advent of cheap air and sea freight

and more efficient farming, countries that have and more efficient farming, countries that have suitable growing environments are growing suitable growing environments are growing Fruit and other food crops as a source of Fruit and other food crops as a source of incomeincome

The differing seasons around the globe ensure The differing seasons around the globe ensure that those countries that can afford to, can that those countries that can afford to, can have fruit out of season.have fruit out of season.

Fruit Production cont.Fruit Production cont. Other countries that do not have a suitable climate, Other countries that do not have a suitable climate,

can grow fruit in polytunnels or green houses to can grow fruit in polytunnels or green houses to replicate a more temperate climate, and thus produce replicate a more temperate climate, and thus produce fruit on a large scale for export.fruit on a large scale for export.

This has led to the practice of picking under ripe fruit, This has led to the practice of picking under ripe fruit, that has to be artificially ripened at a later date so that that has to be artificially ripened at a later date so that it is more appealing to the shopper.it is more appealing to the shopper.

Most supermarket fruit is bland and tough because of Most supermarket fruit is bland and tough because of this practicethis practice

Storage of FruitStorage of Fruit Most fruits are easily Most fruits are easily

damaged, so care must be damaged, so care must be taken in their storage to keep taken in their storage to keep them at their best until usethem at their best until use

Soft fruits should be stored in Soft fruits should be stored in the fridge as these are very the fridge as these are very temperature sensitivetemperature sensitive

Apples, Pears and other thin Apples, Pears and other thin skinned fruits should be kept skinned fruits should be kept in a cool areain a cool area

Citrus fruits with their thick Citrus fruits with their thick resistant skins can be kept at resistant skins can be kept at room temperature for room temperature for extended periods extended periods

Storage of Fruit Cont.Storage of Fruit Cont. As fruit ripens, the procedure As fruit ripens, the procedure

is similar to that of aging is similar to that of aging meat, but at an accelerated meat, but at an accelerated raterate

As the cells run out of stored As the cells run out of stored energy, the enzymes take energy, the enzymes take over and uncontrollable over and uncontrollable enzyme action breaks down enzyme action breaks down the cells and causes the the cells and causes the characteristic browning and characteristic browning and eventual break down.eventual break down.

Never store Fruit in a plastic Never store Fruit in a plastic bag, as this traps Ethylene, a bag, as this traps Ethylene, a by product of fruit that by product of fruit that accelerates the ripening accelerates the ripening process.process.

Stages of RipeningStages of Ripening

Cooking of FruitCooking of Fruit Unlike meat, which is Unlike meat, which is

mainly protein, Fruit are mainly protein, Fruit are mainly carbohydratesmainly carbohydrates

Carbohydrates do not Carbohydrates do not contract like protein and contract like protein and become tough, they disperse become tough, they disperse evenly throughout the evenly throughout the moisture of the fruit tissuesmoisture of the fruit tissues

When cooked fruits lose a When cooked fruits lose a lot of their structure and lot of their structure and become soft, this is often become soft, this is often accompanied by colour accompanied by colour changeschanges

Cooking of Fruit, contCooking of Fruit, cont These colour changes are the result of heat These colour changes are the result of heat

breaking down the colour compounds or breaking down the colour compounds or chemical changes that occur with other chemical changes that occur with other ingredients with the colour compoundsingredients with the colour compounds

Use of FruitUse of Fruit

Always wash fruit Always wash fruit before use, the skins before use, the skins may harbour bacteria, may harbour bacteria, viruses or chemicals.viruses or chemicals.

Peel fruit in order to Peel fruit in order to remove these threats.remove these threats.

Preservation of fruitPreservation of fruit

Used to keep a harvest of Used to keep a harvest of fruit for extended periods of fruit for extended periods of time.time.

Freezing, conserving, Freezing, conserving, drying.drying.

Dried fruit that has been Dried fruit that has been treated with sulphites can treated with sulphites can cause severe allergic cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible reactions in susceptible people.people.

Adds flavour, Concentrates Adds flavour, Concentrates flavour, new texturesflavour, new textures

New fruitsNew fruits Hybrids; Pluots, Hybrids; Pluots,

NectatotsNectatots Newly introductions; Newly introductions;

finger limes, longansfinger limes, longans Heritage Apples and Heritage Apples and

PearsPears

The Future?The Future?

Questions ????