Top 15 Types of Banana in the World
Bananas have been around our civilization for thousands of years. These edible fruits grow in tropical regions and have become an important part of the human diet. These are over a thousand varieties of this fruit with each one being a slight variation from the other in terms of shape, size, taste, and color.
Types of Bananas:
| S.N | Types Of Banana |
|---|---|
| 1. | Lady’s finger Banana |
| 2. | Burro Banana |
| 3. | Plantain Banana |
| 4. | Barangan Banana |
| 5. | Red Banana |
| 6. | Blue Java Banana |
| 7. | Gross Michel Banana |
| 8. | Cavendish Banana |
| 9. | Fehi Banana |
| 10. | Goldfinger Banana |
| 11. | Pisang Raja Banana |
| 12. | Orinoco Banana |
| 13. | Manzano Banana |
| 14. | Nanjanagud Banana |
| 15. | Praying Hands Banana |
Below listed are a few common types of bananas:
1. Lady’s finger Banana
Lady’s finger bananas are one of the common varieties of bananas among a multitude of types. They are small cigar sized bananas. Ladyfinger bananas, also known as sugar banana or fig bananas, are a variety of thin-skinned and naturally sweet banana. In addition to being loaded with calories, these lady finger bananas are also a good source of Vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B5, and small quantities of magnesium and zinc. They also have a very low glycemic state which makes it an ideal food for patients on a diabetic diet.
The most usual use of this banana is to use in fresh dishes, especially salads, as this variety of bananas does not go brown for a long time after being cut.
2. Burro Banana
Burro bananas are a variety of banana native to Central America. They are a smaller and subtler version of the Cavendish variety of banana. This variety of banana is also sold under the name “chunky banana” because of its more square shape compared to the normal variety.
The burro banana has a rich dark green color that turns deep yellow with a black spot as it ripens. The unripened euro banana has a tangy taste and as it ripens the fruit is sweeter with lemon undertones. These bananas are low in fat but high in potassium, fiber, and vitamin B-6.
3. Plantain Banana
Plantains are a member of the banana family which are eaten only after cooking. These bananas are also commonly known as cooking bananas. Plantain varieties have low sugar content but are very high in starch. This makes these bananas green in color even during early ripening and only turn yellow and black after they are overripe. The high starch content makes this banana a more preferable cooking dish than a quick snack.
Plantains are native to India and the Caribbean and have been a staple food of their diet because they fruit all year round. In many countries with only a few varieties of bananas, these varieties are regarded as a vegetable more than fruit and there is a clear distinction drawn between plantains and bananas.
4. Barangan Banana
Barangan banana is a type of banana that is well known around the world as a dessert banana. These bananas are straight fruit with a round base with a total length of about twelve to eighteen centimeters and about 3 centimeters diameter. They have a straight texture with slightly yellowish flesh inside.
The peel of barangan banana is a yellowish red with brown irregular spots. This variety of banana is one of the sweetest forms of banana and also has a uniquely pleasant aroma which makes it an ideal dessert. Barangan bananas are seamless bananas packaged with a lot of nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, and vitamins for the body.
5. Red Banana
Red bananas are a group of bananas that have a reddish or purplish skin instead of the usual green/yellow skin. These bananas are a subgroup of bananas that originated from the south part of Asia. These red bananas have a sweet flavor, almost like normal bananas, with a hint of raspberry sweetness.
The shape and size of these bananas are smaller and plumper than the Cavendish types and the flesh of this banana also has a pink appliance. Red bananas have more carotene and vitamin C than the Cavendish variety. They have high sugar content making it a sustainable source of energy during emergencies.
6. Blue Java Banana
Blue java bananas also commonly known as blue bananas or ice cream bananas are a cold-tolerant variety of bananas but are hard to grow in cold climates. This variety is a triploid hybrid of seeded Musa blabisiana and Musa acuminate variety. Blue bananas are well known for their rich creamy texture and a hint of the flavor of vanilla which makes it taste like ice cream.
Blue java fruits in bunches of about seven to nine and have a silver-blue color when unripe. As they are ripe, these bananas turn yellow like other varieties. These 7-9 inches bananas are commonly consumed as a fruit.
7. Gross Michel Banana
Gross Michel banana is a banana variety that was one of the common varieties of banana consumed worldwide. They are also known as big mike because of their long slender appearance. Gross Michel or the big mike variety of banana grew readily and was ideal for packing because of the thick skin that enabled it to handle bumps and bruising without destroying the fruit. They have also been regarded as one of the yummiest varieties available.
Gross Michel is no longer a world dominator now. It was affected by Panama disease and in the 1950s and since then its production has largely reduced.
8. Cavendish Banana
Cavendish bananas are the most common type of banana available in the market today. These bananas were internationally bread to replace the Gross Michel type which was largely affected by Panama disease. Cavendish bananas have a uniform texture and are much durable compared to other varieties of bananas. They are about 20-25 cm long and have an extremely creamy texture. The taste however is a bit bland compared to other types and it gives fragrance only once it is fully ripe.
Cavendish bananas, accounting for more than 47% of global production, is a variety that is eaten raw or to complement other dishes.
9. Fehi Banana
Fehi bananas are a variety of banana that is an indigenous variety of Fiji. These bananas are squat, thick, and shorter in size. They have prominent edges that make them angular towards one end. The peel of Fehi bananas is bright yellow with hints of red, orange, and black. The flesh of this variety is yellow or orange and has been consumed as a fruit and a cooked delicacy around the world.
Fehi bananas, unlike other varieties, are diploid bananas with a high content of potassium, calcium, carotenoids, and vitamin E. The use of this banana is not limited to eating. Its sap is also used to produce dye in addition to other uses its plant gives.
10. Goldfinger Banana
Goldfinger banana is a banana variety recently developed in Honduras. This banana variety is a recent development and the cultivator believes that it has a large commercial potential. This variety of tetraploid banana has shown high resistance to natural forces like wind and cold. In addition to this, it also has a higher disease resistance compared to other varieties of bananas.
The team of scientists that developed this variety of banana has incorporated as many qualities as possible to make it one of the widest used variety. It looks just like any commonly available banana but has a hint of apple flavor.
11. Pisang Raja Banana
Pisang Raja is a banana variety that originated from the Philippines. This banana is also commonly known as silk banana, apple banana, or latundan banana. Pisang raja, a triploid hybrid of seeded Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata is one of the most common varieties of banana cultivated in the south side of Asia.
The plant of this variety reaches a high to about 12 feet and requires maximum sun exposure. The shape of the fruit is slender and average-sized with round-tipped yellow skin. The fruit of Pisang raja has a creamy texture with a slight acidic apple-like taste.
12. Orinoco Banana
Orinoco banana is a variety of banana that has a vigorous plant with a thick stem. The fruit of this plant is heavily skinned and has extremely good quality flesh compared to regular bananas. Orinoco bananas are botanically known as Musa paradisiaca and are named after the Orinoco river valley of Venezuela.
This banana plant withstands cold temperatures and rises on the tree without cracking. These bananas are usually cooked rather than eating raw. Orinoco bananas have a high content of carbohydrates and fiber-like any other banana variety. In addition to this, they also have a good content of potassium, vitamin b6, and antioxidants.
13. Manzano Banana
Manzano Bananas are a variety of banana that are easily distinguished from other banana varieties due to their size, texture, and flavor. This banana variety is small and very plump. It has a thick peel with a very creamy textured pulp inside. The taste of this fruit is rich with hints of pineapple and strawberry which is why it is commonly known as Apple banana. Due to this quality, these bananas are commonly used as dessert bananas and in many sweet and savory dishes.
Manzano Banana is native to Central America and specifically grown in tropical regions. It is now grown worldwide commercially and consumed everywhere because of its high vitamin A and vitamin C content.
14. Nanjanagud Banana
The Nanjanagud banana is a variety of bananas that are commonly grown around the Mysore district, India. It is natively known as Nanjanagud rasabalehannu. This variety of banana is famous for its unique taste and aroma due to the black clay alluvial saline soil of that area. Nanjanagud bananas need a unique method of cultivation and the aforementioned soil and environment condition. It was observed that this variety forced lumps and lost its aroma when planted in a different environment.
Nanjanagud bananas are now registered as an important geographical indicator by the government of India.
15. Praying Hands Banana
Praying hands banana is a variety of bananas that is unusual and distinct from other varieties of bananas. The adjacent banana fruits are fused to give an appearance of two hands joined I.e praying hands. Each hand of this banana is made up of about five to seven fruits fused but each banana can be easily separated from the bunch after the fruit ripens.
Praying hands banana has a thick adhering skin of bright yellow color. The flesh is firm, starchy, and white. This fruit is not very sweet compared to other varieties of banana and has a hint of vanilla in its taste.