In today’s world, seeds are often referred to as nuts, as if there is no difference between them. However, there are differences between nuts and seeds that can help distinguish these two types of bio products. The Oxford dictionary defines a nut as a fruit consisting of a hard and tough shell around an edible kernel, while a seed is defined as the unit of reproduction of a flowering plant, capable of developing into another such plant. Both seeds and nuts are very popular to be nibbled on as snacks, but let’s see how they are different from each other and what makes them defined as such.
What are Nuts?
Nuts are usually the fruit derived from plants and often consist of a hard outer shell. Examples of nuts include almond, cashew, hickory, macadamia, butternut, and pistachio. In botany, it is specified that a nut does not need to open to release the seed, and this is referred to as indehiscent. It is also implied that a nut will be a dry fruit with just one seed, although it may consist of two seeds on rare occasions.
What are Seeds?
Seeds are defined as an embryonic plant covered with a seed coat, which usually stores food within. Not all seeds are edible, but some are considered essential to our diet as human beings. Examples include beans, cereals, and grains. They contain vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients conducive to the general welfare of the human body.
What is the difference between Nuts and Seeds?
Nuts are filled with protein, vitamins, minerals, and fat, while seeds are filled with vitamin B and dietary fibers. Nuts are considered one-seeded fruit, while seeds are embryonic in nature. Nuts can either be a fruit or seed, while a certain fruit usually encloses seeds. Nuts generally have thicker shells, while seeds have flimsy, thin shells.
Key Takeaways
- Nuts are considered as one-seeded fruit, while seeds are embryonic in nature.
- Nuts are filled with protein, vitamins, and minerals, while seeds are richer with dietary fibers.
- Nuts have thicker shells, while seeds do not have thicker shells.
According to this information, we can conclude that although people do not seem to see a difference between nuts and seeds, there is a distinct difference between them. This difference appears in size, nature, and included nutrients, etc.
