Bananas Are Berries—Here’s Why

Did you know that bananas are the most popular fruit in the world? Not only are they the most commonly purchased in the U.S., but they’re popular across the globe. And yet, most people don’t know that they’re technically berries.

So, what’s the deal? Why is a banana a berry?

Before we get into the thick of it, it’s important to know that all berries are fruit, but not all fruits are berries. No, that’s not a riddle you need to figure out. It’s true.

With that in mind, bananas are considered berries because they develop from a single ovary. They’re also made up of three structures:

• Exocarp
• Mesocarp
• Endocarp

Bananas fulfill every requirement with their protective exterior and fleshiness. Whereas a fruit like strawberries (which have berries in the name) don’t. It’s actually considered a “multiple fruit” thanks to the many tiny individual seeds/fruits within each strawberry.

You might be surprised to learn that bananas aren’t the only “odd” pieces of fruit that are technically berries. Grapes, kiwis, and guavas are all also berries.

So, the next time you reach for a banana, you’ll have a fun trivia fact to share with your friends. If they ask you to explain why, remember that they come from a single ovary, and while they do have very small needs, there is only one “fruit” within the banana, classifying it as a berry and kind of making strawberry’s title seem completely irrelevant.