Bananas are super popular all around the world. They are sweet and smooth, and people love them as a quick bite, in smoothies, cakes, and lots of other yummy things. But did you know bananas come in many different types? They do! And they all have their own special flavors, textures, shapes, and looks.
If you want to try something new instead of the usual Cavendish banana you see at the store, check out some of these tasty kinds of bananas. They will surprise you with their new tastes and feels.
Ready to enjoy some banana fun? Here are 7 really tasty banana types you can try:
Table of Contents
1. Lady Finger Banana
Lady Finger bananas are skinny and long, and they’re even sweeter than the bananas you know. They’re called Lady Fingers because they’re small and curved just like the fingers of a fancy lady!
When they’re ready to eat, they have a zesty taste like lemons and limes, which is really cool compared to common bananas. Before they ripen, they’re kind of white inside, but then they turn bright yellow with little black dots.
You can cook with these little bananas too! They keep their shape when you fry or bake them, which is perfect for yummy pancakes and muffins. Plus, they taste great with chocolate, peanut butter, and oranges.
2. Gros Michel Banana
Gros Michel bananas were everyone’s favorite because they were super sweet and really smooth. Sadly, they got sick with a plant disease called Panama disease and aren’t around much anymore.
People started growing the Cavendish banana we eat today because it doesn’t get sick like the Gros Michel. Even though it’s not as sweet, we still remember the Gros Michel for its yummy flavor.
3. Blue Java Banana
Blue Java bananas are like no other! They’re sort of blue-grey on the outside and come from Java in Indonesia. Inside, they’re creamy and sweet, kind of like vanilla ice cream.
When they’re not ripe, they feel like apples. But when they are, they’re just perfect for adding a tropical touch to your fruit salads and smoothies. People even make vegan ice cream with them!
4. Manzano Banana
Manzano bananas come from Central and South America and have a cool taste that’s like apple and strawberry mixed together.
These plump little bananas are really sweet when they’re ripe and still have a nice flavor when they’re not so ripe. They’re strong too, which is great if you want to bake or grill them. Chefs love them because they’re fun to cook with and taste a bit different.
5. Baby Bananas
Baby bananas are cute and tiny, about 3 inches long, and they taste like a full-sized banana. They’re super for little kids to take to school or to have as a snack at a party. They’re the ripest when the skin gets totally black.
They’re easy to eat when you’re out and about. You can bake them into sweet bread or dip them in chocolate for a treat. Baby bananas are also great in breakfast parfaits. They’re simple and healthy.
6. Pisang Raja
Pisang Raja bananas are popular for breakfast in places like Indonesia and Malaysia. They taste sweet and tropical, much like pineapples and mangos.
It’s nice to eat them just as they are because their skin is thin and they get ripe quickly. You can also toss them in a fruity salad or blend them up in a smoothie. Their sweet honey-like flavor is super enjoyable.
7. Red Banana
Red bananas are a cool change from the yellow kind we usually see. They have a thick reddish-purple skin and inside they’re light and creamy with a bit of raspberry taste.
They’re short and kind of plump, and they get sweeter and mushier when they’re just right to eat. Their fun color and taste means they look great in fruit trays, salads, smoothies, and pastries.
Let’s Wrap It Up
There are so many delicious kinds of bananas out there besides the regular Cavendish banana. Each type has its own special flavor and way it feels when you eat it, giving you all sorts of new things to try.
Bananas are not just yellow! There’s a whole bunch of different ones to check out and pick your favorites from. From the sweet little Lady Fingers to the juicy, exotic Pisang Raja, there’s a banana for everyone.
You might be able to find some of these different bananas at farmers markets or special stores. Or, you might be lucky to spot them at your usual grocery store, depending on where you live.
Ready to go bananas? Try the cool vanilla taste of Blue Java, or the sweet taste of strawberries and apples from Manzano bananas. Add the pretty Red Bananas to your fruit bowls and use the Ice Cream Banana in your bread. It’s a game-changer!
With all these choices, why stick to the same kind of banana when you can enjoy a world of different tastes, colors, and ways to use them in your food? Go ahead and try different banana types and add some new fun flavors to your recipes. Your banana bread, your smoothies, your ice cream, and lots more will get so much better. A banana isn’t just a banana anymore – it’s a way to make your food exciting and tasty in many new ways!
