Bananas are a type of comestible yield that grow in many tropical countries . The common banana is a long - trend yield with yellow-bellied - colourise skin and stiff soft flesh . There are around 1,000 varieties of banana in different sizes , shapes , and even colors . For example , there are small red bananas , long plump fleeceable bananas , purple banana tree , and chubby baby bananas that are only 3 ” ( 7.5 cm ) long .
All varieties of bananas belong to theMusagenus in theMusaceaefamily . Botanically speaking , bananas are atype of berry fruitand they maturate in more than 150 countries . It is thought that bananas rise in West Africa , and in the aboriginal African language the fruit was called topically asbanaana .
banana tree trees are usually grown for their healthy yield , but bananas and the banana plant have many more use . For example , fiber from banana trees can be used to make clothing , and banana tree leaves are unremarkably used for wrapping food .
In this article , you will ascertain about many unlike mintage of banana , such as Cavendish , apple banana , baby banana , blood-red banana and plantain . You will notice out that bananas are not just long yellowish - skinned fruits , but can be red , gamy , over-embellished , gullible , and blacktypes of fruit .
At the end of the article , you will also line up out why eating bananas is so good for you .
Common Types of Bananas (With Pictures and Names)
Let ’s look at some types of plebeian bananas that you’re able to readily grease one’s palms in the fund . We will also search at some less well - hump varieties of bananas that you might only regain in health or long suit stores .
Cavendish Bananas
The poor boy - group of Cavendish banana is the most plebeian character of banana tree and includes several cultivars
Cavendish banana tree is the most familiar subgroup that go toMusa acuminataspecies which is aboriginal to Southeast Asia . These are the most mutual banana variety on sale in most stores . According to some estimates , Cavendish banana tree report for intimately half of all banana tree grown and exported around the world .
There are a turn of banana tree cultivars in the sub - radical of Cavendish bananas . Like most banana tree , Cavendish bananas are green when they are immature . As they ripen , they change state a undimmed jaundiced color , and smutty / chocolate-brown spots may appear on the cutis . Cavendish bananas are usually sold while they are still slightly gullible and they will ripen in a few days .
Some democratic Cavendish banana cultivars let in ‘ Dwarf Cavendish , ’ ‘ Giant Cavendish , ’ and ‘ Williams . ’ Another categorisation of banana is the ‘ Grande Naine ’ which is also shout out the Chiquita banana tree .
One of the reasons why Cavendish banana are so democratic is because they are a gratifying variety of fruit . In fact , they are also classified as a sweet banana tree . Their ripe diffuse figure is delicious eaten raw . Even when Cavendish bananas turn brown , their fragrance intensifies and you could add them to smoothies or use them to make banana bread .
Gros Michel (Big Mike) Bananas
Gros Michel bananas used to be the most popular type of banana before the Cavendish banana tree take their home and are one of the biggest types of bananas
Before Cavendish bananas became so democratic , the Gros Michel cultivar was the most popular case of banana tree . One of the biggest types of banana tree , the great size of the banana tree and its thick peel mean that it is an fantabulous exportation banana .
These large long banana are no longer wide useable in Western countries as they used to be . Disease wiped out most of the crop in the 1950s and since then Cavendish banana have become the most pop banana tree in the world . However , Gros Michel cultivar are still a popular banana in Asia , with Thailand and Malaysia develop the most crop .
For many multitude , ‘ magnanimous Mike ’ banana are tastier than Cavendish bananas . Gros Micel cultivars have a rich creamy texture and a more robust and sweeter taste .
Burro Bananas
The burro banana is a type of short and chunky banana
Burro bananas are a variety of small chicken banana that are somewhat short and chunkier than Cavendish bananas .
These small banana tree only grow to about 6 ” ( 15 curium ) in distance . They have a straight Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and stumpy coming into court . The dark green flesh bit by bit change state deep white-livered as the banana ripens . Before they are fully ripe , Burro banana have a tangy taste and a firm texture . As they mature , their build becomes much sweeter and has a dense texture .
you could eat Burro bananas raw and they are also good for cook due to their firm grain .
Manzano Bananas (Apple Bananas)
Manzano banana is a character of shortsighted banana cultivar that is also known as orchard apple tree banana or Latundan banana tree
Another type of modest banana is the Manzano banana cultivar ( also called Apple banana tree ) . This may not be the minor banana variety , but it has a short length and chubby look to it . In fact , these “ mini ” bananas only grow to about 4 ” ( 10 cm ) in distance .
Manzano bananas are classed as a hybrid cultivar and are a cross betweenMusa acuminataandMusa balbisiana . They are also call Latundan banana , Silk Bananas , or Apple Bananas . compare to Cavendish banana , Manzano yield have a firmer grain .
As with most banana type , Manzano banana start off green and then gradually become yellowed as they mature . To relish this bananas variety at its sweetest , look until the thick skin has almost turned black . The soft flesh will be super sweet and much sweeter compared to Cavendish banana tree .
Their sweetness when fully ripe can resemble tropical tastes of pineapple and apples . This is one of the rationality why Manzano bananas are also called the ‘ apple banana . ’
Just like most bananas , Manzano ( apple ) bananas are a rich generator of potassium and other minerals .
Lady Finger Bananas
Lady Finger Bananas ( dough bananas ) are the most popular type of banana tree in Southeast Asia and is one of the pocket-size multifariousness of banana
Lady Finger banana ( a cultivar ofMusa acuminata ) are a small banana tree variety that taste super sweet and have a soft , creamy texture .
Due to their intense sweet , ‘ Lady Fingers ’ are also called the ‘ Sugar banana , ’ ‘ Fig banana , ’ or ‘ Date banana tree . ’ Lady digit banana are the most pop type of banana tree in Southeast Asia . They are often late - fried in batter to make banana tree fritters .
Sometimes Lady Finger bananas are refer to as baby ( Nino ) bananas as they are one of the smallest varieties of banana . These miniature bananas may only evaluate 3 inches ( 7.5 cm ) in duration . In fact , the tiny banana tree are small enough to fit in the laurel wreath of your helping hand .
When Lady Finger bananas become fully advanced , they have chickenhearted skin with some brown spots . peel away the thin banana tree peel reveals rich banana flesh with a honey - corresponding taste perception .
In some country , the name ‘ Lady Finger bananas ’ can advert to other types of banana cultivars . For instance , in Australia ‘ Lady Fingers ’ are the Pome banana ( Musa acuminataandbalbisiana ) or in Hawaii , they are the Ney Poovan banana .
Compared to Burro bananas or Manzano banana tree , they are not as squat or chunky in shape .
Red Bananas
Red banana tree are sweet and soft type of banana tree
Red bananas ( Red Dacca ) bring up to a classification of banana cultivars that have red skin with creamy pink soma . In general , red banana tree cultivars are smaller , sweeter and soft than Cavendish bananas . However , some types of red bananas can be larger than traditional banana tree .
normally , cherry varieties of banana are classified by the neighborhood where they grow . For example , there are Red Spanish , Red Cuban , or Red Colorado bananas . One thing these crimson bananas have in common is their deliciously sweet mouthful . There is also a case of Red Cavendish banana .
If you line up where to buy red bananas , check that and look until they are ripe before eating them . Unripe crimson banana tend to have an unpalatable chalky texture and gustatory modality . When they are right , their peel ferment reddish - over-embellished skin .
uncase the hide reveals a light creamy flesh that is semi - voiced . Some types of red bananas have yellowish - Orange River flesh . The odoriferous flesh has tinge of banana and hoot when you bite into it .
you’re able to consume red bananas raw similar to yellowed Cavendish bananas . you’re able to also bake them or toast them to create a delectable red-hot sweet-flavored sweet .
As with most bananas , flushed bananas are also a good source of nutrients . However , compared to yellow varieties , red bananas have more genus Beta carotene and vitamin C. The deeper the orange / ruby-red colour , the more Bel - carotin is in the frame . Some people claim that these ‘ alternative ’ red banana cultivars are the healthiest type of banana tree you’re able to buy .
In fact , some studies have suggested that eating orange - fleshed red bananas could be a good way of life to prevent vitamin A deficiencies . ( 1 )
Blue Java Bananas
The color of the unripe blue Java banana tree is an strange blue viridity
Blue Java bananas are a banana tree intercrossed cultivar that are famous for their delicious redolence and grain like ice pick . In fact , Blue Javas are also called the ‘ Ice Cream ’ banana .
One of the fascinating things about Blue Java banana it the coloration of the peel as they mature . The unripe bananas have vibrant light to sky - juicy colouring . These bunches of down bananas look unusual as they acquire under large immature banana tree plant get out . As they mature , Blue Java banana go through color change standardized to other type of bananas .
What do Ice Cream bananas taste like ? Some masses say that the most accurate verbal description is that they savour similar to vanilla extract custard . The right banana have a xanthous blotchy skin with silver hue on it .
Because this banana tree cultivar chiefly grows in Hawaii , it is also cry the ‘ Hawaiian banana . ’
Apart from growing them for their yield , Blue Java banana tree trees are good ornamental plants . Their big drooping farewell that are a blueish - green color and cold hardiness make this banana tree tree a upright choice of shade works .
Rajapuri Bananas
Rajapuri banana are a popular character of banana tree in Asia
Rajapuri banana are a type of Indian banana that are medium - sized and very fresh . The Rajapuri banana flora is also a recommend ornamental plant that prosper in full sun .
One of the reasons why Rajapuri bananas are so democratic in Asia is due to their intensely sweet flavor . The flesh of the yield has a good dense texture and a certain amount of soupiness . The average size of it of this banana tree miscellany from India is between 5 ” and 6 ” ( 13 – 15 cm ) .
As an cosmetic works , the Rajapuri banana is a good option . Thedwarf banana tree treeonly grow to about 10 ft . ( 3 m ) in height , which is small compared to distinctive banana tree that can reach 25 ft . ( 7.5 m ) . Its large leaves that devotee out from the stem offer plenty of garden shade .
Plantains
Plantains ( green bananas ) are a type of cook banana with starchy flesh that is not sweet like dessert banana
Plantains ( Musa paradisiaca ) are a type of misrepresent banana tree and are also called green bananas . The recognize feature article of plantains is that they are not as sweet as other types of banana tree . The understanding plantains are used for preparation is they are quite starchy and not as flavorful as traditional bananas .
Plantains are often cook before they mature fully . Their hard , strong grain and stiff peel hold up well when fried , boil , or steamed . you may also leave plantains to ripen where they will become a typical ‘ banana ’ colouring . The anatomy of good plantains is much softer , but they still lack the sweetness of afters banana .
In many tropical countries , plantain tree are part of the staple diet . They are a popular food in the Caribbean , Central and West Africa , and Southeast Asia .
In some African countries , types of green cooking banana similar to plantain are used extensively in cookery . For example , East African Highland banana are prepare when they are unripened . Although these are not plantains in the true botanical sense , they are used in a like elbow room .
Both plantains and banana tree belong to theMusagenus . The conflict between plantains and bananas is their starch stage and level of sweetness . When used in preparation , Musa paradisiaca are used as astarchy vegetablerather than a sweet-smelling yield .
How to Tell When Bananas are Ripe
You may be surprised to know that you could eat on banana at any leg of ripeness . Most type of banana are harvest from the banana tree tree diagram / plant life while still green . They then take around 8 solar day or so to ripen .
Here are the stage of banana tree ripeness according to the colour of the peel :
Greenbananas are not yet mature and contain more amylum than sugar . unremarkably , immature bananas are used in cook interchangeable to plantain . Although they are edible , green banana tree are not all that tasty .
Green and yellowbananas are almost ripe and will have some sweetness . Their pulp is usually firm and may be slightly dense depending on the variety . At this stage of ripeness , you may run through banana tree in the altogether or cook them .
Yellowpeelon banana is when they are at their optimum ripeness . The flesh should be nice and soft and easy to seize with teeth into . At this stage , popular miscellany of afters bananas such as the Cavendish are odoriferous , redolent , and light to eat . They are commonly still steady enough to use in cooking .
Yellow peel and brownish markingsshow that the banana flesh is very good . At this stage , the banana will be very sweet and the bod very diffused .
Brown bananasare over - mature bananas that will have a mushy texture and strong flavor . The secure way to use this case of banana tree is in desserts or charmer .
Why Bananas Are Healthy for You
Bananas are a tidy fruit that are low in calories and high in nutrients . It ’s not just eating the banana tree anatomy that is sound for you ; banana peel also contains plentifulness of goodness .
According to research , a medium banana that is 7 ” ( 17 cm ) long has 105 calories and plenty of vitamin and minerals . Each banana add to your daily requirements of roughage , vitamin C , vitamin B6 , atomic number 19 , and manganese . ( 2 )
If you savour a goodly smoothie in the break of the day , do n’t befuddle aside the banana tree peel as that is a good source of antioxidants . For deterrent example , enquiry has found that the banana tree skin has gallocatechin – an authoritative antioxidant that protects against spare radical cellular damage . ( 3 )
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