The fruits are the mature ovaries of the plants. A flower blooms, is fertilized, and seeds are produced within the ovary. The tissue that surrounds the ovary is called the pericarp and can be edible as in the case of apples or hard and dry as in the case of walnuts. A simple fruit means that a flower produces an ovary that results in a fruit. Succulent fruits have edible pulp surrounding the seeds or, in the case of stone fruits, the pit. Dried fruits don’t. For example, an apple is a simple succulent fruit. Beans and peas are simple dried fruits. Raspberries have a flower that gives rise to multiple ovaries. They are aggregate fruits. The multiple fruits are the result of flowers that have fused together. Pineapples are an example of multiple fruits.
drupes
The drupes have an edible part, usually the fleshy interior, and an inedible part, the hard seed coat. This is sometimes called a pit or stone. Cut the peach and you will find the pit. Open the hole by sliding a knife between the two halves and you will find the seed. Other examples of simple succulent drupes are mangoes, cherries, plums, and olives. Most drupe fruits are sweet and are used fresh, frozen, or canned. However, the olives are processed before being preserved. Green olives are olives that have not yet ripened. Black olives are ripe olives.
apples
The pips have small seeds inside the fruit. The seeds are surrounded by the pericarp. When you cut an apple in half you can see the membrane that surrounds the core with the seeds. Apples and pears are examples of simple succulent pome fruits. Apples are eaten fresh, processed, frozen, and are an important source of juice.
Citrus
Oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit are considered hesperidium fruits. A leather-like skin encloses the meat and edible seeds. Citrus are mostly little sacs of juice rather than firm apple-like pulp.
berries
It may surprise you to learn that a tomato is not only a fruit but is also classified as a berry. a berry is a pulpy fruit. Everything is edible. Tomatoes come in colors other than red, such as pink, yellow, orange, ivory, chocolate, and green when ripe. The size ranges from small grape-sized fruits to giants weighing several kilos. Other berries include blueberries, grapes, and elderberries, currants, and gooseberries.
Fruits Classified as Vegetables
Much of what cooks classify as vegetables are actually fruits. Simple succulent vegetables include cucumbers, summer squash, winter squash, and pumpkins. The tough covering, or skin, that surrounds the meat is the pericarp.