Bananas Are Berries, But Strawberries Aren't

 

The definition of a berry in botanical terms can be quite surprising. True berries have three layers: the outer skin (exocarp), the fleshy middle (mesocarp), and the inner seeds (endocarp). By this definition, bananas qualify as berries because they have all three layers. The outer skin is the yellow peel, the fleshy part is the edible fruit, and the small black seeds are inside the fruit. On the other hand, strawberries, while commonly considered berries, have their seeds on the outside of the fruit. Botanically, strawberries are known as "aggregate fruits" rather than true berries.