Fruit Lecture and Notes

1. Fruit Lecture and Notes

2. Basic Vocabulary • Parts of Fruit • Seed – part new fruit grows from. Some are okay to eat, some are not. • Flesh – soft part of fruit that is eaten. Usually sweet. • Rind – hard outside of fruit, usually don’t eat • Skin – soft or hard outside of fruit often eaten • Core – middle part of fruit, usually not eaten, sometimes has seeds. FLESH SKIN SEEDS CORE RIND

3. Other Vocabulary • Describing words • Pulpy – soft, squishy, OR juice with bits of fruit in it • Fleshy – soft, full, bulky • Juicy – wet • Netted – having a rough, net-like pattern

4. Fruit Classification - Pomes • Smooth skin • Large fleshy area that is around the core • Often have several seeds • Examples: Apples, pears, quince

5. Fruit Classification - Drupes • Contain a single seed, or pit, • Surrounded by juicy flesh • Examples: Peach, coffee, mango, olive, coconut, apricot, cherry, plum

6. Fruit Classification - Berries • Fragile • Pulpy and juicy • Tiny seeds in flesh • Examples: Strawberries, kiwi, currant, passion fruit

7. Fruit Classification - Melons • Hard outer surface that is smooth or netted • juicy flesh • Seeds in the center or in the flesh • Examples: Cantaloupe, watermelon, bitter melon, winter melon

8. Fruit Classification - Citrus • Grow in warm places • Firm rind • Pulpy flesh • Rind often used for flavoring - zest • Examples: Lemons, grapefruit, blood oranges, pummelo ZEST

9. Fruit Classification – Tropical Fruits • Grow in very warm places • Many fit into the different categories already discussed • Many not grown in USA, some are • Examples: Pineapple, banana, carambola, lychee, dragonfruit, papaya

10. Forms and Storage of Fruits • Fresh: ripe fruits go bad easily and should stored the right way. • Wash just before eating • Handle fragile fruits gently to avoid bruising (like berries). • Ripen fruits on the counter, then store in refrigerators • Refrigerate fruits after cutting • Where you find certain fruits in the grocery store can give you a clue where they should be kept at home

11. Forms and Storage (Cont.) • Frozen: Store immediately in freezer. Do not thaw until ready to use. Do not refreeze. • Canned: Cool, dry place. After opening can, fruits can go bad so put in a jar and store in refrigerator. • Dried: Cool, dry place in original container. After opening, close container tightly.

12. Guidelines for Selecting Fruits • Buy fruits that are: Avoid Fruits that are: • Firm to the touch Too soft • The right color Too hard • Well Shaped Green or under-ripe • Heavy for their size Damaged or bruised • Smell good Rotten or Moldy • In good condition Discolored

13. Preparation of Fruits • Most are delicious when eaten RAW! They are more nutritious this way. • Cutting raw fruit with low acid content, turns dark on when air touches it. This is called enzymatic browning. • You can slow this by sprinkling the cut surface with acid like lemon juice! • Buy fruits that are IN SEASON! Cost less, available and better flavor!

14. Preparation of Fruits • Fruits can be cooked by: • Simmering as in applesauce (When fruits are cooked in moist heat, the cellulose breaks down) • Stewing as in peaches, pears (Fruits cooked with sugar or in syrup will keep their shape and texture) • Baking as in apples • Microwaving

15. Nutrition Notes • What is healthy about fruits? • Many have Vitamin C & A, and other vitamins and minerals • Fruits are high in fiber – the skin has a lot of fiber – leave the skin on • Most fruits are low in calories, - avocados & coconut are higher in calories • Some fruits have good fats in them • Most fruits (not all) are low in fat • Fruits have a lot of water (your body needs water)

16. Is organic better than not organic? • What doesorganic mean? - Organic = grown without chemicals on the farm • They are about the same nutritionally - Same amount of calories, fat, protein, carbs • Organic foods may have fewer chemicals on them. But there are only a tiny amount of chemicals on regular fruits • Organic cost more • Eating organic is a personal choice - Better for the environment • Answer: Maybe

17. Is juice healthy? • Not healthier than just eating whole fruit • Water is a better drink • Juice is high in calories & sugar (as much as pop) • Juice has more sugar than eating normal fruit • Whole fruit is better than juice because it has fiber – makes you full • Juice does not have fiber, does have vitamins (which makes juice a tiny bit better than pop) • Smoothie or juice made of whole fruit IS healthier – you get fiber – as long as there is not a lot of added sugar

18. Nutrient Contribution • Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) found in citrus fruits. Helps to defend your immune system to prevent colds, flu, even scurvy! Heals wounds. • Vitamin A: Found in fruits that are yellow to red in color (carotene) Prevents night blindness. • Examples: Yellow melons, pineapples, apricot, peach • Vitamin B: helps your brain function properly! • Minerals: Iron helps to make new red blood cells • Examples: oranges, strawberries, cantaloupe, dried fruit

19. More Nutrients • Calcium: for strong bones and teeth • Examples: oranges, strawberries, cantaloupes and dried fruits like figs, dates, raisins, prunes, etc. • Sugar and cellulose are carbohydrates found in fruits. This is NATURAL sugars, which are the only sugars that should be eaten! They give the body energy. • The skin and pulp cellulose that the body can’t digest, also known as FIBER!!!!!! • Fruits are healthy because they contain very little protein and fat