Coconuts are notoriously tricky to classify. They’re very sweet and tend to be eaten like fruits, but like nuts, they have a hard outer shell and must be cracked open.
As such, you may wonder how to categorize them biologically and from a culinary standpoint.
This article explains whether a coconut is a fruit and if it’s considered a tree nut allergen.
Fruit classifications
To understand whether coconuts are fruits or nuts, it’s important to understand the differences between these two categories.
Botanically, fruits are reproductive parts of a plant’s flowers. This includes its ripened ovaries, seeds, and nearby tissues. This definition includes nuts, which are a type of closed seed.
However, plants can also be classified by their culinary uses. For example, rhubarb is a vegetable with a sweetness similar to a fruit. In contrast, tomatoes are botanically a fruit but have a vegetable’s mild, unsweet flavor.
Summary: A fruit is the ripened ovaries, seeds, and nearby tissues of a plant’s flowers. However, many fruits and vegetables are also classified by their culinary uses.
Coconut classification
Despite having the word “nut” in its name, a coconut is a fruit — not a nut.
A coconut falls under a subcategory called drupes, defined as fruits with an inner flesh and seed surrounded by a hard shell. This includes a variety of fruits, such as peaches, pears, walnuts, and almonds.
The seeds in drupes are protected by outer layers known as the endocarp, mesocarp, and exocarp. Meanwhile, nuts do not contain these protective layers. A nut is a hard-shelled fruit that does not open to release a seed.
Confusingly, certain types of drupes and nuts can be classified as tree nuts. Technically, a tree nut is any fruit or nut that grows from a tree. Therefore, a coconut is a type of tree nut that falls under the classification of a drupe.
Summary: A coconut is a fruit known as a drupe — not a nut. However, they’re technically a type of tree nut.
Tree nut allergies and coconut
The most common tree nut allergies include almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, pecans, pine nuts, pistachios, and walnuts, while allergic reactions to coconuts are rare.
Though coconuts are technically tree nuts, they’re classified as fruit. As a result, they lack many of the proteins that people with tree nut allergies are sensitive to.
Thus, many people with tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut without an allergic reaction.
Despite this, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies coconut as a major tree nut allergen.
Indeed, some people may have an allergy to coconut and should avoid consuming it. Signs of an allergic reaction include hives, itchiness, stomach pain, shortness of breath, and even anaphylaxis.
Some people with a macadamia nut allergy may also react to coconut, although this is rare.
To be safe, speak with a healthcare professional before trying coconut if you have a history of tree nut or nut allergies.
Summary: While the FDA classifies coconut as a major tree nut allergen, a coconut allergy is rare. Also, most people with tree nut allergies can safely consume coconut. Still, it’s best to speak with a healthcare professional if you are concerned.
Summary
Coconuts are a delicious, versatile fruit enjoyed all over the world.
Despite its name, coconut is not a nut but a fruit known as a drupe.
Most people with tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut and its products without any reaction symptoms. Still, you should speak to a healthcare professional before trying coconut if you have an extreme allergy to tree nuts.
Despite being shaped like a seed and having a name that includes the word “nut,” coconut is a delicious fruit.
Suggested read: Are cashews nuts?
