My mom loves pears. Every time I go to the market to buy pears, she always says to buy the "female" ones, as they have more water and are sweeter than the "male" ones. The "navel" at the bottom of the fruit is indented for "female" and protruded for "male." This standard is also used to select common fruits like apples, pears, oranges, tangerines, and watermelons. So, do fruits really have genders?
Ruan Guangfeng, an expert from the China Food and Information Center, states that the folk belief that "fruits have genders" is not scientifically supported. Fruits do not have biological genders. The folk methods for distinguishing "male" and "female" fruits are based on one or two simple differences in surface morphology, and there is no evidence that these differences are related to the fruit's taste.
How is the "navel" at the top of the fruit formed? Experts explain that the "navel" is simply a permanent scar left on the fruit by the flower that fell off. This scar is mainly the remnant of the vascular bundles that transport water and nutrients. Because the development of the peel tissue below is usually slower than other parts of the fruit, it forms a slightly depressed "navel." Since the development speed of this part of the peel varies greatly among different fruits, you can see navels of different sizes, from dot-shaped to ring-shaped, in the same variety of oranges or watermelons.
Ruan Guangfeng explains that the sweetness of a fruit depends on factors such as its soil, fertilizer, sunlight, and the age of the tree. It cannot be simply classified as "male" or "female" based on its appearance.
Four Tips for Selecting Sweet Fruits
Look at the shape: Don't pick oddly shaped individuals; fuller ones usually have a better texture.
Observe the color and aroma: Fruits with bright, natural colors and a rich, lasting aroma are generally fresher and have a better taste. For apples of the same variety, those with a redder surface are usually sweeter than those with a yellower one.
Test the texture: When selecting, use your hands to touch and feel. Navel oranges with a slightly softer surface are better ripened. For fruits like cherries, wax apples, and grapes, choosing ones with a firmer surface is actually better.
Feel the weight: For fruits of the same variety, choose the heavier ones. Because heavier fruits of the same type often have denser cell tissue, more water, and are sweeter.