Fruit VRQ2 Theory Unit 708 UPK 708

The difference between Fruit and Vegetables The main difference is that Fruit are meant to be eaten, whereas the majority of vegetables that we eat are the nutrient or food store of that plant that allows it to reach maturity and develop seeds to reproduce itself. The main difference is that Fruit are meant to be eaten, whereas the majority of vegetables that we eat are the nutrient or food store of that plant that allows it to reach maturity and develop seeds to reproduce itself. The evolutionary separation between the two is the strategy that each type uses to reproduce itself. The evolutionary separation between the two is the strategy that each type uses to reproduce itself.

Fruit and Vegetable reproduction Most vegetables reproduce via seeds that are generated from mature plants that have flowered, been cross pollinated by insects and seed heads allowed to develop, mature and produce seeds. Most vegetables reproduce via seeds that are generated from mature plants that have flowered, been cross pollinated by insects and seed heads allowed to develop, mature and produce seeds. These seeds are then widely dispersed via whatever means necessary to propagate the plant. These seeds are then widely dispersed via whatever means necessary to propagate the plant.

Fruit and Vegetable reproduction, cont, Fruits follow the same method as most plants, but the crucial step is the development of the fruit after the cross pollination of the flowers. Fruits follow the same method as most plants, but the crucial step is the development of the fruit after the cross pollination of the flowers. In order for the seeds to be dispersed as widely as possible, Fruit plants evolved the fruit which is highly attractive to animals because of their scents and sugar content In order for the seeds to be dispersed as widely as possible, Fruit plants evolved the fruit which is highly attractive to animals because of their scents and sugar content The fruit seeds are then carried in the animals digestive system to be passed out at a later date in their own little pile of fertiliser The fruit seeds are then carried in the animals digestive system to be passed out at a later date in their own little pile of fertiliser

Fruit and Vegetable reproduction, cont, This method allows for a greater dispersion of the plant, as it prevents competition of the seedling with the parent plant if the seeds were just dropped. This method allows for a greater dispersion of the plant, as it prevents competition of the seedling with the parent plant if the seeds were just dropped. Seeds have armoured or tough outer layouts that resist stomach acids, this allows them to survive the journey through the digestive system of the animal that has eaten them. Seeds have armoured or tough outer layouts that resist stomach acids, this allows them to survive the journey through the digestive system of the animal that has eaten them.

What is a Fruit? A fruits is defined as the organ that develops from the ovary and surrounds the seeds of a plant A fruits is defined as the organ that develops from the ovary and surrounds the seeds of a plant They have a high sugar content and a highly distinctive smell that attracts animals to them. They have a high sugar content and a highly distinctive smell that attracts animals to them. These only happen when the fruit is ripe, this gives the plant time to develop it seeds fully, so they have a better chance of survival These only happen when the fruit is ripe, this gives the plant time to develop it seeds fully, so they have a better chance of survival

Fruit as Vegetables and Vice Versa The classification of fruit and vegetables has led to some interesting mix ups, most notably Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Peas, which are fruits, but are mainly used as vegetables The classification of fruit and vegetables has led to some interesting mix ups, most notably Tomatoes, Peppers, Cucumbers and Peas, which are fruits, but are mainly used as vegetables A vegetable used as a fruit is Rhubarb (Stem vegetable) A vegetable used as a fruit is Rhubarb (Stem vegetable)

Benefits of Fruit and Vegetables Fruit and Veg are an important source of dietary fibre that prevents constipation and mops up toxins in the intestines Fruit and Veg are an important source of dietary fibre that prevents constipation and mops up toxins in the intestines The strong colours of Fruit and Veg are a good source of antioxidants that help keep our bodies in good order The strong colours of Fruit and Veg are a good source of antioxidants that help keep our bodies in good order They are a valuable source of vitamins, mostly A, C, E and Folic acid They are a valuable source of vitamins, mostly A, C, E and Folic acid

Fruit Production Each country in the world cultivates its own specific and native fruits Each country in the world cultivates its own specific and native fruits With the advent of cheap air and sea freight and more efficient farming, countries that have suitable growing environments are growing Fruit and other food crops as a source of income With the advent of cheap air and sea freight and more efficient farming, countries that have suitable growing environments are growing Fruit and other food crops as a source of income The differing seasons around the globe ensure that those countries that can afford to, can have fruit out of season. The differing seasons around the globe ensure that those countries that can afford to, can have fruit out of season.

Fruit Production cont. Other countries that do not have a suitable climate, can grow fruit in polytunnels or green houses to replicate a more temperate climate, and thus produce fruit on a large scale for export. Other countries that do not have a suitable climate, can grow fruit in polytunnels or green houses to replicate a more temperate climate, and thus produce fruit on a large scale for export. This has led to the practice of picking under ripe fruit, that has to be artificially ripened at a later date so that it is more appealing to the shopper. This has led to the practice of picking under ripe fruit, that has to be artificially ripened at a later date so that it is more appealing to the shopper. Most supermarket fruit is bland and tough because of this practice Most supermarket fruit is bland and tough because of this practice

Storage of Fruit Most fruits are easily damaged, so care must be taken in their storage to keep them at their best until use Most fruits are easily damaged, so care must be taken in their storage to keep them at their best until use Soft fruits should be stored in the fridge as these are very temperature sensitive Soft fruits should be stored in the fridge as these are very temperature sensitive Apples, Pears and other thin skinned fruits should be kept in a cool area Apples, Pears and other thin skinned fruits should be kept in a cool area Citrus fruits with their thick resistant skins can be kept at room temperature for extended periods Citrus fruits with their thick resistant skins can be kept at room temperature for extended periods

Storage of Fruit Cont. As fruit ripens, the procedure is similar to that of aging meat, but at an accelerated rate As fruit ripens, the procedure is similar to that of aging meat, but at an accelerated rate As the cells run out of stored energy, the enzymes take over and uncontrollable enzyme action breaks down the cells and causes the characteristic browning and eventual break down. As the cells run out of stored energy, the enzymes take over and uncontrollable enzyme action breaks down the cells and causes the characteristic browning and eventual break down. Never store Fruit in a plastic bag, as this traps Ethylene, a by product of fruit that accelerates the ripening process. Never store Fruit in a plastic bag, as this traps Ethylene, a by product of fruit that accelerates the ripening process.

Stages of Ripening

Cooking of Fruit Unlike meat, which is mainly protein, Fruit are mainly carbohydrates Unlike meat, which is mainly protein, Fruit are mainly carbohydrates Carbohydrates do not contract like protein and become tough, they disperse evenly throughout the moisture of the fruit tissues Carbohydrates do not contract like protein and become tough, they disperse evenly throughout the moisture of the fruit tissues When cooked fruits lose a lot of their structure and become soft, this is often accompanied by colour changes When cooked fruits lose a lot of their structure and become soft, this is often accompanied by colour changes

Cooking of Fruit, cont These colour changes are the result of heat breaking down the colour compounds or chemical changes that occur with other ingredients with the colour compounds These colour changes are the result of heat breaking down the colour compounds or chemical changes that occur with other ingredients with the colour compounds

Use of Fruit Always wash fruit before use, the skins may harbour bacteria, viruses or chemicals. Always wash fruit before use, the skins may harbour bacteria, viruses or chemicals. Peel fruit in order to remove these threats. Peel fruit in order to remove these threats.

Preservation of fruit Used to keep a harvest of fruit for extended periods of time. Used to keep a harvest of fruit for extended periods of time. Freezing, conserving, drying. Freezing, conserving, drying. Dried fruit that has been treated with sulphites can cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible people. Dried fruit that has been treated with sulphites can cause severe allergic reactions in susceptible people. Adds flavour, Concentrates flavour, new textures Adds flavour, Concentrates flavour, new textures

New fruits Hybrids; Pluots, Nectatots Hybrids; Pluots, Nectatots Newly introductions; finger limes, longans Newly introductions; finger limes, longans Heritage Apples and Pears Heritage Apples and Pears

The Future?

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