Bananas

About
Bananas grow, not on trees, but on tall plants about 25 feet high. Each stem or shoot from the trunk of the plant produces about 10 "hands" with about 12 "fingers" or bananas on each. The entire stem, which produces fruit only once, is trimmed off and the individual hands are packaged for shipping. The banana has a great deal to offer nutritionally. Because bananas contain less water than most other fruits, their carbohydrate content, by weight, is higher, which is one of the reasons that bananas are a favorite of endurance athletes. Bananas can be easily digested by virtually everyone, including infants and the elderly. This fruit also supplies a substantial amount of potassium along with significant amounts of vitamin B6. Bananas also have a small amount of folate (folic acid) and vitamin C.

Varieties
Yellow or Cavendish
There are hundreds of banana species but the yellow is the favorite. Choose plump, evenly colored yellow bananas flecked with tiny brown specks (a sign of ripeness)

Baby
These exotic baby bananas are a unique variety of fruit originating from the jungles of Colombia. Called the Murapo in that part of the world, they are a favorite of the local population. Measuring just over 3 inches in length, these bananas are one of the smallest of all varieties currently being shipped commercially anywhere in the world.

Guinea Verde
An unprocessed yellow or cavendish. Use like a potato (mash, boil or fry).

Macabu
It is smaller and chunkier than a "regular" banana. They should be fully ripened until the yellow begins to turn black. When very ripe, the pulp will be firm, not "mushy," when it can be enjoyed for its wonderfully sweet taste and creamy texture.

Manzano
A short, chubby banana also called apple or finger bananas. It is green when unripe, but black at its peak of flavor. It has a delicious strawberry-apple-banana flavor.

Petite
Smaller than a baby banana (it is about 4 ounces) with the same flavor as the cavendish. Usually not available in bunches. Sold in single units by the pound. Another informal name for them is "institutional" bananas because they are shipped to nursing homes, included as a part of school lunches, or used when a small portion is required.

Availability
Yellow bananas are in good supply all year; exotic varieties are more seasonal.

Nutrition Information:
• Low in fat
• Sodium and cholesterol free
• Good source of fiber, vitamin C, and potassium
For complete nutritional information, click here.

Additional Information
• Why Eat It - Selection - Storage - Preparation
• From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia