World's Most Common and Unusual Varieties of Bananas

No doubt that the banana is one of the most favoured healthy fruit in the world. But do know There are around 300 to more than 1000 numbers of varieties of bananas and plantains around the world. Read this interesting article to learn the types and varieties of Banana.

Almost all modern cultivated varieties (cultivars) of edible bananas and plantains (cooking bananas) are hybrids and polyploids of two wild, seeded banana species, Musa acuminata, and Musa balbisiana. Cultivars derived from Musa acuminata are more likely to be used as dessert bananas. Those derived from Musa balbisiana and hybrids of the two are usually plantains or cooking bananas.The total number of cultivars of bananas and plantains has been estimated to be anything from around 300 to more than 1000.

Most common types of Bananas around the world are as below:

Cavendish Banana 

Cavendish Banana 

• Most internationally traded bananas.
• Cavendish bananas accounted for 47% of global banana production.
• 'Grande Naine' is the most important clone in international trade, while 'Dwarf Cavendish' is the most widely grown clone.
• 'Grande Naine' is also known as Chiquita banana.
• Due to their cylindrical shape, they are sometimes used in sexual education classes in order to demonstrate correct usage of a condom.

Red Banana

Red Banana

• A variety of banana with reddish-purple skin.
• They are smaller and plumper than the Cavendish banana. 
• Red bananas are sweeter and softer than the yellow Cavendish varieties.
• They have a slight mango flavor. 
• Red bananas are mostly imported from East Africa, Asia, South America and the United Arab Emirates. 
• Red bananas contain more beta-carotene and vitamin C than a yellow banana. 
• It also contains potassium and iron. 
• The redder the fruit, the more carotene and the higher the vitamin C level.

Lady Finger Banana

Lady Finger Banana

• Also known as Sugar bananas, Sucrier, Niños, Bocadillos, Fig bananas, or Date bananas
• The fruits are small, thin-skinned, and sweeter than Cavendish Banana.
• Dwarf Lady Finger bananas, typically grow only up to 15 ft in height.
• They are also cultivated as houseplants.

Cooking Banana

Cooking Bananas, Green bananas or Plantains

• Some cooking bananas are also called green bananas or plantains
• They are generally starchy and contain less sugar than dessert bananas. 
• Green bananas have a relatively neutral flavour and soft texture when cooked.
• An average plantain has about 220 calories and is a good source of potassium and dietary fibre.
• In Africa, plantains and bananas provide more than 25 percent of the carbohydrate requirements for over 70 million people.
• Plantains are a staple food in the tropical regions of the world, ranking as the tenth most important staple food in the world.
• After removing the skin, the unripe fruit can be sliced thin and deep fried in hot oil to produce chips.

Some unusual varieties of Banana

Pink Banana

Pink Banana

• It is often grown as an ornamental plant.
• It has soft, sweet flesh that can be eaten.
• The seeds are quite hard and can chip a tooth.

Scarlet Banana

Scarlet Banana

• Native to tropical China
• The fruits are orange, only about 2 cm (0.8 in) long, and contain seeds.
• The species is cultivated for its ornamental value

Fe'i Banana

Fe'i Banana

• Fe'i bananas are distinct in appearance and origin from the majority of bananas and plantains.
• They have highly colored sap, pink through to bright magenta and dark purple.
• Ripe fruit has brilliant orange, copper-colored or red skin with orange or yellow flesh inside.
• Fe'i bananas are usually eaten cooked and have been an important food for Pacific Islanders.
• They are high in beta-carotene (a precursor of vitamin A)

Blue Java Banana ( Ice Cream Banana )

Ice Cream Banana 

• Also known as Ice Cream banana, Hawaiian banana, Ney Mannan, Krie, or Cenizo
• Blue Java Banana is known for its sweet aromatic fruit.
• The plant is covered with a silvery-white powder and when the fruit is ripe.
• The snow-white flesh of Blue Java Banana is honey sweet and it tastes like vanilla ice-cream.

There are many more varieties of bananas found around the world with different flavors, appearances, and sizes. All the edible bananas are nutrient-rich and offer a wide variety of health benefits. That's why bananas are considered as one of the healthiest fruits for the human body.