I remember having these discussions years ago and the answers were:-
1. if it a reproductive element (contains seeds)of the plant it is a fruit
2. if it is a seed that is hard it is a nut.
3. if it is an aromatic plant without a woody stem it is a herb (herbaceaous plant)
4. if it is any part of a plant other than the fruiting body it is a vegetable
I reckon that 'cos it has seed in it, the banana is the fruit of a herb (banana plant doesn't have a woody trunk/stem)
note: a little used feature of google is define: such as
define:banana
TECHNICALLY, TOMATOES OR FRUIT CUZ IT HAS SEEDS INSIDE
but it in the cooking world, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers are all CLASSIFIED AS VEGETABLES
no joke, true story
neways, just my two cents
much luv,
JiZz
A fruit. It was classed as a vegetable by US customs collector,in the 19th century, as imported fruit was exempt from tax, whereas veggies weren't. This maybe why there is so much confusion.
But a strawberry's seeds are on the outside, yet you wouldn't dream of calling it a vegetable, so that isn't the true test. Instead, the simple and accurate test is always that if it grows wholly or partially underground (onion, leek, potato, etc) it's a vegetable, but if it grows wholly above ground (apple, pear, strawberry, tomato) it's a fruit. And Yes, that means that sweetcorn and cucumbers are technically FRUIT..!!