What is a Drupe?

In botany, a drupe is a type of fruit that has a hard, outer shell (called a pit or stone) that surrounds a softer, sweeter inner layer. The inner layer is often a juicy pulp, while the pit is typically inedible and contains a seed. Examples of drupes include:

* Stone fruits like peaches, plums, and cherries, where the pit is hard and surrounded by a fleshy outer layer.
* Drupes like apricots, nectarines, and greengages, where the pit is softer and more easily removed from the fruit.
* Olives, which are actually a type of drupe that has been dried and cured to be eaten as a savory snack or used in cooking.

The word "drupe" comes from the Latin word "drupa," which referred to a type of Persian plum. It is now used by botanists to describe any fruit that fits this specific definition.