In the annals of American legal history , few cases are as oddly fascinating as the one that asked the U.S. Supreme Court to answer a question that has perplexed both chefs and botanists: Is a tomato a fruit or a vegetable? This isn't just a quirky debate for trivia night — it was the crux of the 1893 case Nix v. Hedden , a landmark decision that classified tomatoes as vegetables under U.S. law. 🧾 Why Were Tomatoes on Trial? 🍽️ The story begins with a tariff law called the Tariff Act of 1883 , which imposed duties on imported vegetables but not on fruits . At the center of this legal drama was John Nix, a produce importer who wanted to challenge a duty imposed on his tomato shipments by Edward L. Hedden, the collector of the port of New York. Botanically speaking, tomatoes are classified as fruits , specifically berries , since they develop from the ovary of a flower and contain seeds. But in everyday language, tomatoes are typically used in savory dishes — sauces, soups, ...