Yes, a strawberry is a fruit. However, it's not a simple berry as many assume. The classification is more nuanced.
The Botanical Truth: A Multiple Fruit
Botanically, a strawberry is classified as an aggregate accessory fruit. This means it's not formed from a single ovary, like a typical berry. Instead, it develops from many tiny, individual fruits (achenes) embedded in a fleshy receptacle. The achenes are what we commonly mistake for seeds; each contains a tiny seed. The red, juicy part we eat is actually the receptacle – part of the flower stem. (Carnegie Museums, EatingWell, Wikipedia, Allrecipes)
- Multiple fruit: Develops from multiple ovaries of a single flower.
- Accessory fruit: The fleshy part is derived from tissues other than the ovary (in this case, the receptacle).
Many sources use "fruit" in a broader culinary sense, and thus strawberry is generally considered a fruit in that context. This explains the widespread use of strawberries in desserts, jams, and other food products marketed as "fruit." (Smuckers, Yoplait)
Despite the botanical intricacies, the culinary and general usage still labels the strawberry as a fruit. The distinction between the botanical and culinary definitions clarifies why some might mistakenly believe it isn't a "true" berry, but the larger truth is that it definitively falls under the broader umbrella of fruits.
