No, turmeric is not a fruit.
Turmeric is a rhizome, which is a type of root vegetable. It belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, the same family as ginger. While fruits develop from the flower of a plant and contain seeds, turmeric grows underground as a modified stem that stores nutrients. It is harvested for its root, which is then processed into the spice we commonly use.
| Feature | Fruit | Turmeric (Rhizome) |
|---|---|---|
| Plant Part | Mature ovary of a flower | Modified stem (root) |
| Contains Seeds | Yes | No |
| Growth Location | Above ground | Underground |
In summary, turmeric is a root vegetable and a spice derived from the rhizome of the Curcuma longa plant, not a fruit.
