What is a banana?
A banana is an elongated, edible fruit produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. Bananas are grown in over 135 countries and are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world.Nutrition
A medium banana (about 118 g) contains:- Calories: ~105
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Potassium: 422 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.4 mg
Common varieties
- Cavendish — the most widely exported variety.
- Plantain — starchier, usually cooked before eating.
- Red banana — sweeter, with reddish-purple skin.
- Lady Finger — smaller and sweeter than the Cavendish.
Storage tips
- Store at room temperature until ripe.
- Refrigerate once ripe to slow further ripening (the skin may darken, but the fruit stays fresh).
- Freeze peeled bananas for use in smoothies or baking.