Banana Nutrition Facts, Banana Recipes, Banana Ripening And Much More…

Banana Nutrition Facts, Banana Recipes! A recent belief has cropped up among the “health-conscious” which says that bananas have too many calories and carbs and are not good for losing weight (Try saying that to a minion!. Bananas are fruits, and fruits are good, aren’t they? Wait! So, are bananas bad for you? And if you get past that debate, some people find bananas just plain old boring.

So, are there banana recipes which can make the fruit more interesting? And then we have the toughest topic – handling of bananas. Some ripen too fast, some take too long to ripen! And what do you do with those banana flowers and banana leaves?

And if that’s not enough, we’ll show you why you have been peeling bananas the wrong way all along! Wow, and we thought bananas were the simplest of all fruits. Read on to become an expert on the most versatile fruit ever! (Don’t forget to read till the end for a bonus minions video!)

Before we dive right into the details, here’s a Fun Fact

Bananas do not need seeds to grow from, but from a bulb or rhizome taking about 9-12 months from plantation to harvesting. These are basically self-replacing perennial herbs.

Banana Nutrition Facts

Per 100 gram serving of banana carries about 89-105 calories, along with carbohydrates and sugar. This means instant energy. In addition, banana calories do not make you fat and the sugars don’t spike the blood sugar levels. Explains why bananas are taken by athletes in between training sessions or matches.

So, Are bananas good for you?

YES! Apart from its brilliant taste, texture, and versatility, bananas have an added advantage of having countless health benefits. Here’s all the banana nutrition you need to know:

• Bananas include 23 grams of carbs, 12 g sugars, 1 g dietary fiber and 1 g protein per 100 g unpeeled serving.  Along with this, bananas contain 0 fats and trans fats which ensures that you stay in shape.
• Other banana benefits include potassium (which helps maintain proper heart function and regulate blood pressure), fibers (which improves digestion as the banana fibre content helps regulate bowel movement), Vitamin B6 (creates hemoglobin). Bananas also find their space in home remedies for treating skin conditions, curing ulcers and heartburn, and much more in addition to providing instant energy.

Now, that we do know that bananas are good for you, let’s look at a few how to’s

How to Ripen Banana Faster Naturally and artificially at Home?

• Bananas produce a gas called ethylene which helps in ripening, so the more the merrier; hence never store bananas separated from the bunch, more in the bunch, faster your bananas would ripen.
• Store bananas in warm places and keep checking till it develops few brown spots.
• Pack and store the banana wrapped loosely in a brown paper bag, this will lead to ethylene build up and faster ripening.
• If nothing else works, just microwave slightly.

How to slow down ripening and store bananas longer?

• Buy bananas that are green at the ends and yellow at the middle
• Don’t expose bananas to heat, store them at room temperature when unripe, and refrigerate when they ripen.
• But sometimes you just know that your bananas won’t last until your target day, so what to do with ripe bananas? Unpeel overripe bananas, freeze into a popsicle, bake into banana bread or just make a smoothie. If the bananas are yet not overripe just unpeel, cut into pieces and refrigerate in an airtight container.

Can I put bananas in the refrigerator?

Yes, you can! However, if the bananas are unripe, it better be placed out of the fridge in a warm, dry place. Only ripe bananas should be stored in the fridge, either by the bunch or unpeeled and cut into pieces inside an airtight box. 

So, you think you have learned all about bananas? Wait! Did you know that you have been peeling bananas the wrong way till now! Let’s have a look at the right way to eat a banana:

And for those who find bananas banal or plain old boring, here are a few unique ways to enjoy your daily dose:

• Cut into pieces and freeze into popsicles to enjoy a cool snack
• Dip bananas into chocolate dips like Nutella, bananas can never taste better than these.
• Make smoothies or milkshakes and add in new flavors and other fruits too.
• Blend in with yogurts and enjoy a smooth guiltfree dessert.
• Coat unpeeled ripe bananas with a batter and fry till golden, sprinkle finely powdered sugar over the fried bananas and enjoy.

Banana Recipes

For the more adventurous, here are some awesome banana recipes

1. Vegan Banana Bread recipe

2. Eggless banana muffins recipe

3. Plantain kebabs recipe

4. Eggless Banana cake recipe

5. Raw Banana parathas (flatbreads) recipe

6. Plantain chips recipe

7. Banana Ice Cream

So, we all know about the benefits of the banana fruit, but the banana tree holds many more secrets in its treasure trove. Read on to find out more about them…

Banana Leaf uses

Banana leaves hold an important place in festivities and decorations especially in the southern part of India and other South East Asian countries.

Banana leaf plates have been popular in India for its antiseptic properties along with being an eco-friendly substitute for plastic. They are also used for cooking by wrapping various items like fish, chicken, batter in tender banana leaves. Try this unique prawns wrapped in banana leaf recipe.

Banana leaves hold an important place in festivities and decorations especially in the southern part of India and other South East Asian countries.

Banana leaf plates have been popular in India for its antiseptic properties along with being an eco-friendly substitute for plastic. They are also used for cooking by wrapping various items like fish, chicken, batter in tender banana leaves. Try this unique prawns wrapped in banana leaf recipe.

Banana Flower uses

Banana flower is often made into delicacies as per Indian culinary traditions, chopped up banana flowers are added to stir-frys, soups, and curries. Banana flowers are known to help in curing infections, overcome diabetes and anemia along with providing a rich source of vitamins and minerals. Here is traditional Indian Banana flower Recipe that you must try or you could try this simple traditional banana flower chutney recipe.

Banana Stem uses

Removing the outer skin, we get a white fleshy part of the banana stem which is a fine addition to curries and desserts. Apart from its culinary uses, fibre from banana stem makes up for craft materials like fine threads to make garlands or even garments and fabrics when blended with cotton. In the mood for a cooling drink? Try this banana stem buttermilk recipe – the perfect drink after a heavy meal on a hot summers day.

Green Bananas or Plantains

Green banana is popular in India, more as a vegetable than a fruit. Green banana, or plantain as it is alternatively called, is highly effective in blood sugar control and good for digestion. It has no sugar content and is rich in dietary fiber too.

They can be used in curries and stir-frys too, but the best use is found as Banana Chips, cut into thin slices, fried crisp and covered with salt and spices it can be termed as one of South India’s greatest gift to mankind. Try this airfryer banana chips recipe that you can have guilt-free!

Reference : Link1,  Link2

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