why are tomatoes a fruit

Tomatoes are classified as a fruit because botanically, they develop from the flower of the tomato plant and contain seeds. Fruits are the seed-bearing structures that grow from the ovary of flowering plants, fulfilling the plant's reproductive process. Since tomatoes fit this botanical definition, they are scientifically considered fruits. However, tomatoes are commonly treated as vegetables in cooking because they tend to have a savory flavor and are used in savory dishes rather than sweet ones. This culinary classification is based on flavor and usage rather than botanical structure. In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court legally classified tomatoes as vegetables in 1893 for tariff purposes due to their common culinary use. In summary, tomatoes are botanically fruits because of their development from flowers and seed content, but are used as vegetables in cooking and legal contexts.