Are Potatoes Vegetables or Fruits?

The truth is that potatoes are vegetables. It comes from an annual plant that is grown for its edible root. They are often thought of as roots because they grow in the ground, but potatoes are very starchy. Potatoes are said to be stem vegetables that grow on stolons found underground.

A vegetable is the edible part of the plant, whereas fruit is the plant's mature ovary. Vegetables are classified as per the portion of the plant eaten like leaves, stem, roots, bulbs, and tubers. Fruit bears seeds developing from the ovaries of a plant. You would be surprised to know that tomato is botanically a fruit but is considered as a vegetable.

They have played a vital part in survival in history since 200B.C. They were first time cultivated and consumed by Peru's Inca Indians. They were more than just a source of food as it was also an element to determine the measurement of time as they used to see how long it takes to cook a potato.

People think it is full of starch and carbohydrates, so it is not suitable for health. But this is a pure misconception as they are good for health. Do not think of French fries and mashed potatoes. But if you cook them with fewer spices and oil, they are rich in protein, fiber, potassium, Vitamin C, and healthy carbohydrates. The good thing is that they do not comprise sodium and are cholesterol-free.

Various people think that there is just one type of potatoes, but that is not true; there are a variety of potatoes which you can choose from, some of them are:

• Russet Potatoes- They are also called baked potatoes because they have a lot of starch and less moisture; therefore, they are perfect for baking
   White Potatoes- These potatoes can be used for all cooking purpose such as baking, boiling, and even frying
• Red skinned potatoes- They are commonly known as boiling potatoes but can be used for roasting and frying too. These potatoes have very little starch as compared to the other variety of potatoes. Their skin is rich in nutrients as it comprises of iron, Vitamin B, and fiber.
• Butter Potatoes- They have a creamy flavour, it is a new variety of potatoes that possess a smooth texture, and many people love its taste, which is why they are in high demand in the grocery stores. They can be used for baking and making mashed potatoes.
• Yellow potatoes- They are yellow in colour and can be used for all purposes, be it frying, boiling, or making mashed potatoes.

Just like the potatoes, sweet potatoes are also a vegetable. Sweet potatoes are a root crop and are very starchy, but they are sweet, as the name suggests. Because they are starchy, a lot of people think that it is a fruit, but as they belong to morning glory family, they are vegetables.