When it comes to our favorite fruits, veggies, and spices, many of us just pick them up at a local grocery store without giving them a second thought. Well, this interesting article may change all that! You will be amazed at how many of these delicious items look while still growing before they are harvested for our enjoyment. It's truly Mother Nature at her finest! From bananas and brussels sprouts to black pepper and pomegranates, after seeing them grow in all their glory, you will never look at them the same way again.
Banana Plants Can Grow Up To 30 Feet in Height
During the flowering stage, large inflorescences are formed at the top of the banana tree, known as a banana "bunch." The bunch consists of multiple tiers or rows. While they are immature, the bananas are tiny, green, and tightly packed together. The individual bananas are typically closely attached, forming a compact cluster. As the bananas grow and mature, they start to separate from one another and find their curved shape.
When the bananas are close to maturity, the green peel starts turning yellow, indicating that the fruit is ripening. The bananas gradually develop their familiar yellow color as they reach full maturity.
Pistachios Come From The Evergreen Tree Family
Pistachio trees, known as Pistacia vera, produce small, inconspicuous flowers with male and female parts (they require cross-pollination from other pistachio trees to set fruit via the wind or insects). Once pollinated successfully, they develop into small green fruits called drupes or hulls. As they continue to grow, the outer hull expands and starts to harden. Initially, it has a green, fleshy texture, but a shell gradually forms around it.
Over several months, the hull transitions from green to a reddish hue until it turns a pale, light brown. Pistachios are typically harvested when the hulls have fully dried and split open.
Peanuts Don't Grow on Trees
Peanuts are usually planted in well-drained soil in warm climates. After planting peanut seeds in well-drained soil, they germinate, and small seedlings emerge from the soil. As the peanut plants grow, they produce compound leaves on either side of a central stem. After a period of vegetative growth, small yellow flowers develop on short stems that grow from the base of the plant. These flowers are self-pollinating (they can fertilize themselves).
The fertilized flowers grow downward and bury the developing peanuts underground. The developing peanuts, known as pods, start to enlarge. Eventually, the peanuts fully develop, and the pods take on their characteristic shape.
Pomegrenate Trees Have Male And Female Flowers
Pomegranate trees produce vibrant orange-red flowers that are usually funnel-shaped and have multiple petals. After successful pollination, the flowers transform into small, green, round fruits. As the fruits grow, they gradually increase in size, and the green color becomes yellowish. Eventually, it transitions into the characteristic deep red associated with ripe pomegranates. After the outer skin becomes tougher, the fruit gets heavier, indicating that it is filling with juicy seeds inside.
When the pomegranates are fully ripe, they should have reached their desired size and have a rich, dark red color. The skin should feel firm and make a metallic sound when tapped gently.
You Might Mistakenly Perceive Black Pepper as a Berry
During the seedling stage of black pepper plants, they emerge as small shoots with two oval-shaped leaves. As the seedling continues to grow, it develops into a climbing vine. Once the vine matures, it produces small, white to yellowish flowers on long spikes called "catkins." After successful pollination, the flowers develop into small green berries known as peppercorns. The peppercorns grow in clusters along the spikes and gradually increase in size over time.
As the peppercorns mature, they change color from green to yellow and finally to red. At this point, they are considered fully ripe. The harvested black pepper is obtained from mature berries.
Cocoa Flower Is White or Pale Pink
A cocoa tree is a small to medium-sized evergreen tree that typically reaches a height of 10 to 26 feet. They produce small, delicate flowers that are white or pale pink. In a process called cauliflory, these flowers grow directly on the woody parts of the tree rather than on the ends of branches. After successful pollination of the flowers, cocoa pods start to develop directly from the trunk and branches of the tree.
Depending on the variety, cocoa pods can be green, yellow, red, or purple, typically around 6 to 14 inches long. When ripe, the cocoa beans inside are ready for harvest.
Mangos Are So Cute
Mango trees produce small, inconspicuous flowers. These flowers usually appear in clusters and can be white, pink, or yellow in color. After successful pollination, the mango flowers develop into small, green, oval-shaped fruits. The immature fruit remains green, hard, and smooth as the mango grows. But then the green skin begins to develop yellow, orange, or red patches, and the fruit becomes larger, plumper, and slightly softer to the touch.
When a mango reaches maturity, it is considered ripe and ready to be harvested. At this stage, the skin color has fully transitioned to the specific color of that mango variety.
Cashews Come From India And This Is How They Look
The cashew nut is attached to the bottom end of the cashew apple, which is actually a pear-shaped fruit. The yellow or red fruit is larger than the nut and has a fleshy, juicy texture. The cashew nut is nestled within a kidney-shaped shell, and one end is attached to the fruit. At the other end is a small opening known as the hilum, which allows water and nutrients to enter during growth.
As the cashew nut grows, it is small and green but enlarges as it matures. The outer shell of the nut starts developing and hardening as it approaches maturity.
Would You Guess This Is A Sesame Plant?
Sesame seeds begin their growth as small seedlings emerging from the soil. They have delicate, slender stems with two small cotyledon leaves. As they grow, they develop larger, pointed, vibrant green leaves. The color of the leaves deepens to a vibrant green as the plant takes on a bushy appearance. Once the pale yellow or white flowers are pollinated, they develop into seed pods that gradually turn brown and become dry.
When the seed pods reach maturity, they start to split open, revealing rows of small, flat sesame seeds. The seeds are tiny and oval-shaped, typically measuring 2-3 mm in length.
Vanilla Smells Better Than It Looks
Vanilla starts as a small seedling that develops leaves and establishes a root system. As the vanilla plant matures, it produces aerial roots that wrap around a supporting structure. After a few years, the vanilla plant reaches the flowering stage, producing small, delicate vanilla orchid blooms that last only one day. When successfully pollinated, it develops into a long green pod called a vanilla bean and ripens on the vine over several months.
As the vanilla bean matures, it undergoes various changes. It turns from green to yellow and then gradually browns. The bean also starts to develop its characteristic aroma during this stage.
Cinnamon Powder And Stick Both Come From The Same Tree
Native to regions of Southeast Asia, cinnamon is derived from the bark of trees belonging to the Cinnamomum genus. In its early stages, cinnamon trees resemble small, bushy evergreen trees with glossy, dark green leaves. The tree's bark is typically smooth and brownish-gray. When the bark is harvested from the trees, the outer bark is removed, revealing the characteristic reddish-brown inner bark that gets dried and rolled into cinnamon sticks.
So, while growing, cinnamon does not appear like the aromatic spice we know and love. The distinctive cinnamon characteristics are revealed during the harvesting and processing stages.
Pineapples Grow Out Of The Ground
Pineapples start as small plants with long, narrow, spikey leaves that sprout from the ground. As the pineapple plant matures, it produces offshoots called "suckers" or "slips" at the base of the main plant. The pineapple plant produces a stalk that emerges from the center of the crown, which contains small purple or red flowers. Once pollinated, young pineapples appear as small green bulges clustered together on the stalk.
As they continue to grow, the fruit elongates, and the green exterior of the pineapple begins to turn golden yellow or reddish-orange. As its size increases, hexagonal patterns appear on a rough surface.
People Should Say “Kiwi on Top! ” More Often
Kiwi plants produce small, white, fragrant flowers that bees or other insects usually pollinate. After successful pollination, the flowers transform into small, green fruit clusters, each with a hard texture. As the kiwi fruits increase in size, they transform to a vibrant shade of brownish-green. The skin becomes covered in a fuzzy, brown hair-like texture, and the fruits soften as their flavor and sweetness increase, ready for harvest time.
Kiwi fruits are typically harvested when their texture is firm but slightly yielding when gently pressed. The fruit should yield slightly to pressure without being too soft or mushy.
Coffee or Cherries?
Coffee plants start as small seedlings that develop more leaves as the stems become sturdier. As they continue to grow, the leaves become waxy to reduce water loss. After some time, small, fragrant white flowers appear, and following successful pollination, the coffee flowers develop into green berries known as coffee cherries. The cherries grow in clusters and gradually change color from green to yellow and eventually to red when ripe.
Once the coffee cherries have reached the desired level of ripeness, they are ready for harvesting. Depending on the desired flavor profile, the cherries are selectively picked by hand or harvested mechanically.
Saffron Is Beautiful At Each Growth Stage
The saffron crocus is a small perennial plant that typically grows to a height of 6-8 inches. Each produces several purple-colored flowers with three bright red stigmas. These stigmas are the part of the flower that is harvested and dried to create saffron spice. Saffron stigmas are manually harvested from the flowers. Skilled workers carefully pluck the stigmas with their fingers, leaving behind the rest of the flower intact.
The saffron crocus flower has six petals arranged in a cup shape, with three bright red stigmas extending from the center of the flower. The stigmas are long, thin, and thread-like in structure.
Brussels Sprouts Are So Satisfying
As Brussels sprouts grow, they develop a sturdy stalk that can be 2 to 3 feet tall and leaves similar to cabbage or kale. The leaves provide energy for plant growth. Small sprouts start forming in the leaf axils along the stalk. They grow in a spiral pattern, starting from the bottom of the stalk and moving upward. The sprouts can reach a diameter of 1 to 1.5 inches.
The sprouts are vibrant green while growing, deepening as they mature. The outer leaves of the sprouts may have a purplish tinge, especially in certain varieties. Sprouts can take several months to grow.
Almonds Look Like They’re Hungry
In early spring, almond trees produce beautiful pink or white flowers similar to cherry blossoms. After pollination occurs, the fertilized flowers develop into fruit. The almond fruit begins as a green, fuzzy, soft outer shell called the hull. Inside the hull, the almond kernel begins to develop. As the almond kernel matures, the hull starts to dry out. Eventually, it splits open, revealing the hardened shell of the almond kernel.
The almond kernel continues to grow and harden inside the protective shell as it ripens. When the almonds are ready for harvest, the hulls have turned brown and dry.
Sea Salt Can Be Harvested From A Lake Too
Sea salt is typically extracted from saltwater sources, such as salt pans or lakes. The water is collected in large, shallow ponds and left to evaporate under the sun and wind. As the water evaporates, the salt concentration increases, eventually reaching a point where salt crystals begin to form. These crystals are then harvested. The appearance of salt crystals can vary depending on the type of salt, impurities, and extraction methods.
However, salt crystals are generally transparent or translucent and can take on a cubic or rectangular shape. They can be small or large, ranging from fine grains to visible crystals.
You’d Never Guess This Is Asparagus
Asparagus emerges from the ground as tender shoots, known as "asparagus spears." As the spears continue to grow, they elongate into fern-like stems and can reach a height of several feet. The feathery branches that form on the stems of the asparagus plant consist of needle-like leaves called cladodes. These leaves are thin, light green, and arranged in clusters along the stems. The foliage gives the plant a delicate and airy appearance.
Mature asparagus plants may produce small, berry-like fruits. However, most cultivated varieties of asparagus are male plants and do not produce berries. The berries are usually on wild asparagus plants.
Coconuts
Coconuts start as small, green, unripe fruits, typically round and covered with a smooth, firm, green outer husk. As coconuts continue to grow, the green husk begins to enlarge, and the coconut becomes larger. The husk transforms into a more fibrous texture and develops the familiar brown color associated with mature coconuts. At this stage, the brown husk has become thicker and harder, providing protection to the inner shell and coconut water.
The coconuts are still attached to the tree when they are fully grown and ready for harvest. The outer husk may also show signs of drying out and splitting.
How Often Do You Eat Figs?
Beginning as small, green, pea-like structures called syconium, figs are typically hard and firm to the touch in the early stage. They appear attached to the Ficus tree branches or nestled within the leaf axils. As the figs mature, they gradually enlarge and change color. They may develop a yellowish or greenish hue, depending on the variety. The figs are still firm but begin to soften slightly. They are not yet ready for picking.
Once fully ripened, figs become soft to the touch and develop a rich color, often dark purple or brownish. The skin may appear slightly wrinkled, but its sweetness is rich.
Watermelon Looks As If Someone Just Placed It There
After planting watermelon seeds, the first stage is the emergence of seedlings. As the watermelon plants grow, they develop long, trailing vines with multiple branches and leaves. As the plant matures, male or female flowers appear. After successful pollination, the watermelon fruit begins to develop. Initially, the fruit is small and green, and it gradually grows in size. The skin of the developing watermelon remains green and smooth.
As the watermelon grows bigger, the skin transforms from green to a ripe watermelon color. The skin becomes rougher and less shiny, and the watermelon's characteristic pattern becomes more pronounced.
Small Pumpking Would Be Hard to Carve
Pumpkins start as seeds that produce vine-like stems with broad, lobed leaves. After the vine has developed, pumpkin plants produce large, yellow male or female flowers. Once the female flowers are pollinated, a small bulge at the base grows with a green, rounded shape attached to the vine. As the pumpkin matures, its green skin gradually turns orange. The exact color and shape of the pumpkin depend on the variety being grown.
When the pumpkin reaches its full size and the skin has hardened, the stem connecting it to the vine dries and becomes woody, indicating that the pumpkin is mature.
Every Chili Starts The Same But…
In the beginning, chiles start as small seedlings emerging from the soil. As the chile plant continues to grow, it develops more leaves. Once the chile plant reaches a certain size, it produces chili pepper flowers with five petals fused at the base, forming a lantern-like structure. After pollination, the chile flowers form small, green pods. They continue to grow in size and gradually change color as they mature.
Depending on the chile variety, the fruits can turn yellow, orange, red, purple, or brown when fully ripe. Chiles are generally harvested when they have reached their desired size, color, and spiciness.
Young Cloves’ Color Is Truly Amazing
When this tree is in bloom, it produces small, fragrant, reddish-pink flowers. But before opening, each flower bud has a protective outer covering with unopened petals inside. The buds grow in clusters at the branch tips of the clove tree. Before the flower buds are harvested, they are carefully hand-picked at the right stage of maturity, when they have reached their maximum size and their color has turned deep red.
After harvesting, the buds are dried in the sun until they turn brown and hard, resulting in the familiar aromatic spice known as cloves. Cloves are found in tropical regions like Indonesia.
Skilled Tea Workers Harvest The Young Leaves By Hand
Tea plants are evergreen shrubs or small trees that can reach about 3 to 6 feet. The tea plant leaves are elliptical in shape with a smooth, shiny texture. They have a dark green color, which is a result of the high chlorophyll content. The youngest and most tender leaves are at the plant's top and towards the ends of the branches. They possess the most desirable flavors and aromatic compounds.
In well-maintained tea gardens, skilled tea workers selectively harvest the young leaves and buds by hand, usually every few weeks or months, depending on the type of tea being produced.
Even The Young Pappaya Looks Tempting
Papaya plants bear fruit that grows directly on the trunk of the plant. Initially, the fruit appears as a small, green bud emerging from the stem. As it grows, the bud elongates and takes on a cylindrical shape. The skin of the young papaya is smooth and green, often with a slightly waxy texture. The papaya fruit remains attached to the tree by a stem throughout the growth process.
The stem connects to the main trunk or a larger branch, providing the fruit with nutrients and water necessary for its development. Papaya fruits can vary slightly depending on the specific growing conditions.
Wasabi Wants To Keep It Cool
Wasabi is a perennial plant that grows in cool, shaded, and moist environments, such as the mountainous regions of Japan. Wasabi plants have distinctive heart-shaped leaves that grow directly from the rhizome. The rhizome, which is the part of the plant harvested and used as a spice, grows underground. Measuring 2-4 inches long, the rhizome is pale green. It has a rough, knobby texture containing the pungent compounds that wasabi is known for.
Commercial wasabi cultivation often involves carefully controlled environments, such as hydroponic systems or shaded, water-rich environments designed to mimic their natural habitat in countries such as Japan.
Rice Farmers Enjoy This View All The Time
Rice plants are a type of grass that is cultivated for its edible grains. Rice plants have long, slender stalks that can vary in height depending on the variety and growing conditions. Rice is a water-intensive crop, and it requires a constant supply of water throughout its growth cycle. Depending on the availability of water, farmers may use various irrigation techniques, such as flooding the fields or using controlled irrigation systems.
Rice is typically harvested when the grains have reached their full maturity and moisture content. Harvesting methods vary but commonly involve cutting the rice stalks and separating the grain from the straw.
Sugar From Sugarcane
Sugarcane is a tall perennial grass with a thick, fibrous stalk that can grow from 13-20 feet tall. When sugarcane grows, it forms multiple stalks that emerge from an underground stem known as a rhizome. The stalks are cylindrical and have a segmented appearance. As sugarcane matures, the color deepens and becomes a darker shade of green. The stalks are thick and succulent, filled with a sweet juice that contains sugar.
When sugarcane is ready for harvesting, the stalks are typically cut down close to the ground. They are then transported to processing facilities where the juice is extracted and refined to produce sugar.
Avocado May Not Surprise You
Avocado trees are usually cross-pollinated, meaning they require a different avocado tree variety nearby for successful pollination. Bees, flies, or other insects drawn to the avocado tree's flowers typically carry out pollination. These insects transfer pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers, facilitating fertilization. Wind can also contribute to the transfer of pollen between trees. After successful pollination, the fertilized flowers develop into small, green fruits known as avocado berries.
The fruit undergoes rapid cell division and enlargement, which leads to its growth. Avocado fruits usually take several months to reach maturity, depending on the variety and growing conditions.
Capers Come From Low-Growing Bushes
Capers are a type of Mediterranean perennial plant. Their blossom buds, which can be eaten, are a popular seasoning in many cuisines, especially Mediterranean and Middle Eastern ones. Seeds and cuttings can both be used to spread capers. However, growing plants from seeds can be difficult because of their low germination rate and the length of time it may take for the plants to reach maturity. Most commonly, cuttings are taken from mature caper plants.
Capers are generally grown as shrubs or low-growing bushes. The flower buds of capers are harvested before they fully bloom. They are usually picked by hand or with the help of small scissors.