No, a coconut is not a true nut.
While coconuts are often referred to as nuts in culinary contexts, botanically speaking, they are classified as drupes. A drupe is a fruit with a fleshy outer part surrounding a hard shell (the endocarp) with a seed inside. Other examples of drupes include peaches, plums, and cherries.
Here's a breakdown to further clarify the distinction:
-
True Nuts: These are characterized by having a hard, inedible shell and originating from a compound ovary, with the shell representing the matured ovary wall. Examples include hazelnuts, acorns, and chestnuts. The shell does not open on its own to release the seed.
-
Drupes (like coconuts): These fruits have three distinct layers:
- Exocarp: The outermost layer (the smooth skin of a coconut).
- Mesocarp: The fleshy part (the fibrous husk of a coconut).
- Endocarp: The hard, inner shell that surrounds the seed.
Essentially, a coconut fits the drupe definition because it has a fleshy part (the husk), a hard shell, and a seed inside. The confusion arises from the hard shell and the common usage of "nut" to describe many hard-shelled fruits and seeds.
Therefore, while you might call a coconut a nut in the kitchen, a botanist would disagree.
