Is Eggplant a Fruit? The Surprising Truth Behind This Common Vegetable

by harryliam45 on Aug 16th, 2025 13:47 PM

Though commonly used as a vegetable in cooking, eggplant is a fruit from a botanical perspective. This might come as a surprise, but scientifically, a fruit is defined as the mature ovary of a flower that contains seeds—and eggplant fits that definition perfectly. It develops from the flowering part of the plant and contains small, edible seeds inside, placing it in the same category as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.

More specifically, eggplant is classified as a berry in botanical terms due to its fleshy body and enclosed seeds. Despite this classification, eggplant is most often treated as a vegetable in culinary use because of its savory flavor and typical role in main dishes rather than desserts.

Understanding this distinction between botanical and culinary classifications can help broaden your knowledge of plant-based foods. So while you may never find eggplant in a fruit salad, it remains a fruit in the eyes of science. Whether grilled, roasted, or baked into a rich dish like eggplant parmesan, this versatile fruit continues to be a staple in kitchens around the world—regardless of what we choose to call it on our plates.