Kiwi is a delightful fruit loved by many for its sweet yet slightly sour taste, bright green color, and unique texture. But there’s a common question about kiwi: Is it a citrus fruit or a berry?
In this in-depth article, we’re going to look at what makes a kiwi a kiwi. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What type of fruit is kiwi?” then stick around to learn more.
Table of Contents
Understanding Citrus Fruits and Berries
Citrus fruits belong to the Rutaceae plant family, according to Encyclopedia Britannica. They’re usually tart and are packed with vitamin C. Familiar citrus fruits are oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits, and tangerines.
Berries, however, are usually soft and small, and they come in various colors. Berries can be either sweet or sour. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries are all types of berries.
Even though both are fruits, citrus fruits and berries each have special traits. Citrus fruits are noted for their sourness and high acid level, while berries are generally sweet and colorful.
Is Kiwi Considered a Citrus Fruit?
Some might guess that kiwi is a citrus because it’s tart and rich in vitamin C. But in reality, kiwi is not a citrus fruit. Citrus fruits are part of the Rutaceae family, which includes fruits like oranges and lemons. But kiwi is from the Actinidiaceae family, so it’s from a different family than citrus fruits.
Kiwi also looks and tastes different from citrus fruits. Citrus fruits often have smooth, thin skin, and are usually round or oblong. Kiwi, in contrast, has fuzzy brown skin and is shaped like an oval. Kiwi’s taste is also more complex and fruity than the taste of citrus fruits.
When it comes to nutrients, kiwi has more vitamin C per serving than many citrus fruits, which makes it a great source of that nutrient. Plus, it’s full of other vitamins and minerals, like vitamin K, vitamin E, folate, and potassium, which you don’t usually find a lot of in citrus fruits.
While kiwi does share some traits with citrus fruits, it’s actually quite different and belongs to its own family with its own special features.
Can Kiwi Be Called a Berry?
Though kiwi might not seem like a berry at first glance, especially compared to berries like strawberries or blueberries, botanically speaking, it is indeed a berry. Kiwi fits the berry criteria because it has a soft center with many seeds and grows from a single flower with one ovary.
Kiwi does share some berry qualities even though it looks different. It has a soft flesh and a thin, edible skin just like many other berries. The seeds in a kiwi are also small and plentiful, another typical berry trait.
So while kiwi is sometimes lumped together with citrus or tropical fruits, it’s important to recognize that botanically, it’s classified as a berry.
So, What Exactly Is Kiwi—Berry or Citrus?
By botanical standards, kiwi is a berry, not a citrus fruit. It’s part of the Actinidiaceae family and fits all the rules for being a real berry because it has a soft interior, lots of seeds, and comes from a flower with a single ovary.
Although kiwi isn’t a citrus fruit, it has a few things in common with them, like the tart taste and plenty of vitamin C. But kiwi also boasts unique features like fuzzy skin, a complex flavor, and a mix of vitamins and minerals you don’t commonly find in citrus fruits.
Learning about different types of fruit and how they are classified can help us enjoy the wide array of plant life and the special qualities of each fruit. Whether you’re eating a kiwi for a quick bite or using it to enhance your dishes, knowing that it’s a true berry might make you appreciate this special fruit even more.
