Is COCONUT a fruit or a Nut?

Discussion in 'Fruit and Nut Trees' started by scilover, Aug 6, 2020.

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  1. scilover

    scilover Member

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    Hai.. just curious. Is Coconut a part of Nut family? Coconut has been classified by FDA that it a tree nut. I am confuse.. If coconut a tree nut, does that mean that it`s no longer safe for people with nut allergies? Is it change in the classification? Read about it that coconut is actually a fruit. But kinda need 2nd opinion... Anyone in the house?

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  2. wcutler

    wcutler Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout 10 Years

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    There are different kinds of fruits - some are nuts (and many fruits are not edible at all). Any seed-bearing structure is a fruit, see Fruit Definition and Examples - Biology Online Dictionary

    When someone has a nut allergy, it's to specific nuts, so saying that coconut is a nut does not give any indication of whether someone will be allergic to it.
     
  3. Acerholic

    Acerholic Paragon of Plants Forums Moderator VCBF Cherry Scout Maple Society

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    The coconut is a fruit and not a nut, but if the question refers to allergies then a health care professional should be consulted if there is a fear that a nut reaction may occur. People with allergies to certain nuts cannot eat coconuts.
     
  4. Daniel Mosquin

    Daniel Mosquin Paragon of Plants UBC Botanical Garden Forums Administrator Forums Moderator 10 Years

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    The brown, fibrous coconut of supermarkets is a seed (presumably fertilized tissue with DNA from both parents) surrounded by an inner layer of maternal (fruit) tissue (the endocarp (the other parts of the coconut fruit tissue, the mesocarp and exocarp, have been cut off)). The endocarp and the seed coat are visually united though. It is analogous to a peach pit.
     
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