Cucumber is considered a fruit because, botanically, it develops from the flower of the cucumber plant and contains seeds — which is the key definition of a fruit in plant biology.
In simple terms:
- If it develops from the flower and has seeds, it’s a fruit.
- If it’s any other part of the plant (like roots, stems, or leaves), it’s a vegetable.
Cucumbers form from the fertilized ovary of the flower and contain seeds inside, just like tomatoes, bell peppers, and pumpkins — all of which are also fruits by botanical standards.
That said, in culinary terms, we often treat cucumbers as vegetables because they’re savory, not sweet, and are used in salads and savory dishes rather than desserts.
Would you like to know the health benefits of cucumber as well? 🥒