Nut

Edible ingredients originating from the inside of a plant are called nuts, seeds and kernels, partly on the basis of historical, morphological or botanical criteria. As a rule, the seeds, i.e. the reproductive body created by fertilisation, are consumed. The seeds, often arbitrarily called "nut" or "kernel", come from drupes, nuts or capsules.

• Stone fruits: fleshy fruits with leathery or velvety outer skin, often juicy flesh and hard stone or pit.
• Nuts: fruits which are not fleshy and whose seeds are not released during ripening.
• Capsule fruits: fruits which dry out during ripening, burst open and release their seeds.

From an allergological point of view, their botanical affiliation is important, as possible cross-reactions can be deduced from them and thus information relevant to the patient. From the naming (e.g. hazelnut, walnut, peanut) itself no conclusions can be drawn about the actual botanical affiliation.