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Surprising Truth About White Dots on Strawberries Revealed
Many consumers are only just discovering the actual identity of the white dots found on strawberries, and are surprised to learn they are not seeds. Strawberries are a widely consumed and popular summer fruit enjoyed across the globe. While a favourite fruit for many, particularly in the UK, most people do not consider the structural components of a strawberry, including the real nature of the white dots visible on its surface.
Common Misconception About Strawberry ‘Seeds’
As people learn the true nature of these white dots on strawberries, surprise is a common reaction. The prevalent assumption is that the white dots on the exterior of a strawberry are indeed seeds. Their visual appearance and texture do resemble seeds. However, identifying them as such is a misconception.
Achenes: The Actual Fruit
In reality, these white dots are called achenes, which botanically are considered the true fruit of the strawberry plant. Each strawberry contains hundreds of these achenes on its exterior surface.
Eating Hundreds of Fruits in One Strawberry
These white dots on a strawberry are therefore the actual fruit. Consequently, eating a single strawberry means consuming hundreds of fruits, according to botanical experts.
Strawberries Are Not Berries
Furthermore, despite their common name, many people are also unaware that strawberries are not botanically classified as berries. The achene, often confused with a seed, actually encloses a genuine seed, making it the true fruit in botanical terms.
What is the Red Part of a Strawberry Then?
However, the sweet, fleshy red part of the strawberry we typically eat is not the fruit. This raises the question: what exactly is it then?
The Receptacle Explained
According to Aaron Liston, a professor and herbarium director at Oregon State University, the red portion of the strawberry is actually the receptacle. He explained to Live Science that the receptacle is the part of the plant that holds the fruits.
Evolutionary Advantage of the Strawberry
He elaborated, “the genes that would typically be expressed in the fruit are now expressed in the receptacle.” This genetic shift causes the receptacle to expand, rather than the fruit itself.
He added, “I think they’ve found a very good evolutionary trick and it’s worked. You can find wild strawberries all over the globe now.”
Online Reactions to Strawberry Revelation
Reactions to this revelation have spread online, with Reddit users expressing disbelief. One user even jokingly called the concept “fruitception”.