Banana

A banana plant is a herb, in the genus Musa, which because of its size and structure, is often

mistaken for a tree. It is cultivated for its fruit, which also bears the same name. Bananas are of

the Family Musaceae and closely related to plantains. Globally, bananas rank fourth after rice,

wheat and maize in human consumption; they are grown in 130 countries worldwide, more than for any

other fruit crop. Bananas are native to tropical southeastern Asia.

The main or upright growth is called a pseudostem, which when mature will obtain a height of

2–8m (varies by cultivar), with leaves of up to 3.5m in length. Each pseudostem produces a single

bunch of bananas, before dying and being replaced by a new pseudostem. The base of the plant is a

rhizome (known as a corm). Corms are perennial, with a productive lifespan of 15 years or more.

The term banana is applied to both the plant and its elongated fruit (technically a false

berry) which grow in hanging clusters, with up to 20 fruit to a tier (called a hand), and 5-20

tiers to a bunch. The total of the hanging clusters is known as a bunch, or commercially as a

"banana stem", and can weigh from 30–50kg. The fruit averages 125g, of which approximately 75% is

water and 25% dry matter content. Bananas are a valuable source of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and

potassium.

In 2003, India led the world in banana production, representing approximately 23% of the

worldwide crop, most of which was for domestic consumption. The four leading banana exporter

countries were Ecuador, Costa Rica, Philippines, and Colombia; accounted for about two thirds of

the world's exports; with each exporting more than 1 million tons. Ecuador alone provided more than

30% of global banana exports according to FAO statistics.

Bananas are classified either as dessert bananas (meaning they are yellow and fully ripe

when eaten) or as green cooking bananas. Almost all export bananas are of the dessert variety;

however, only about 10-15% of all production is for export, with the U.S. and EU being the dominant

buyers.

Bananas and plantains constitute a major staple food crop for millions of people in

developing countries. In most tropical countries green (unripe) bananas used for cooking represent

the main cultivars. Cooking bananas are very similar to potatoes in how they are used. Both can be

fried, boiled, baked or chipped and have similar taste and texture when served. Nutritionally one

green cooking banana has about the same nutritional and calorie content as one potato.

The vast majority of producers are small-scale farmers growing the crop either for home

consumption or for local markets. Because bananas and plantains will produce fruit year-round, they

provide an extremely valuable source of food during the hunger season (that period of time when all

the food from the previous harvest has been consumed, and the next harvest is still some time

away). It is for these reasons that bananas and plantains are of major importance to food security.

Check out the following recipes that are tagged "Banana":
Ice Cream Sundae Cups, Autumn Celebration Baskets, Spiced Banana Cookie Wreaths, Chocolate Banana Mousse, Banana Crepes, Lunch Box Lollipops, Raspberry Banana Mousse, Fruit Fantasy Soup, Fruit Soup2, Fruit Frostea, Zemi's Ginger Smoothies, Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Healing Smoothie, Oven Kalua Turkey, High-Protein Drink, Mexican Summer Soup, Cantaloupe Smoothie, Banana Smoothie, Frosty Fruit Smoothie, Banana Peach Shake, Banana-Nut Oatmeal Muffins, Breakfast Blender Drink, Basic Muffins And Variations, Kiwi Lime Shake, Curried Oysters With Banana Salsa, The Punchbowl, Banana Chocolate Chantilly Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Banana Cream Cheese Frosting, Banana Berry Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie (from Eagle Brand Condensed Milk), Banana Cream Filling, Banana Cream Pie, Banana Mandarin Cheese Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Banana Meringue Pie, Banana Vanilla Wafer Pie, Banana Streusel Pie*, Strawberry Ginger Soup, Tapado(Seafood Soup), Boston Banana Cream Pie, Boston Banana Cream Pie, Pumkin Cake, Orange Cheesecake, Fruit-Nut Nibbles, Fruit Truffles-Low-Cal, Abadoo's Banana Bread, Chocolate Banana Pudding Pie, Autumn Quick Bread