Exocarp (Noun)
Meaning
Outermost layer of the pericarp of fruits as the skin of a peach or grape.
Classification
Nouns denoting plants.
Examples
- The exocarp of the peach is thin and edible, often eaten along with the rest of the fruit.
- The exocarp of a grape is typically removed before making wine, as it can impart a bitter flavor.
- The exocarp of a pomegranate is leathery and inedible, protecting the juicy arils inside.
- The exocarp of a tomato is often mistaken for the skin, but technically it is the outermost layer of the pericarp.
- The exocarp of a citrus fruit, such as an orange or lemon, is the colorful outer layer that is often peeled away before eating.