Bananas satisfy hunger, taste good, and contain plenty of nutrients.
They’re also easily accessible, making them a staple food source in many areas.
The red banana is one of the varieties people consume in various places worldwide.
It’s versatile as you can eat it raw (but ripe) or cooked in multiple ways.
What makes the fruit popular? It’s the taste, but what does a red banana taste like? Is it like other bananas or different? We’ll find out everything today, so keep reading.
What is Red Banana?
A red banana is a type of banana with reddish-purple skin.
They are smaller than the typical Cavendish banana and are deep red to maroon in color when ripe.
Red bananas are native to Southeast Asia and available in various places.
It has a different name in every region it grows.
For example, it’s also called Red Dacca, Jamaican red banana, Cuban red or Red Cavendish banana.
Though it grows in many places, red banana isn’t as abundant so it’s more expensive than the yellow varieties.
It may not be an affordable fruit to enjoy every day but you can taste it occasionally.
Red banana is available on the market in fresh or dried form.
You can purchase both varieties and try them out.
Like most other types, red banana ripens at room temperature within a few days.
It’s also best to use ripe bananas quickly because they can get too mushy when over-ripe.
You must also store the fruit outside and avoid refrigeration.
What Does Red Banana Taste Like?
It’s a banana variety a little smaller and thicker than the yellow banana, but does it taste the same or different? Since it’s a banana variety and not a very different one, we can assume it’s sweet.
But is it sweeter than other bananas or milder? Let’s not linger any longer but get right to it.
Unripe red banana is mild-flavored with a slightly bitter taste and is challenging.
The ripe red banana, on the other hand, is much sweeter than the regular yellow banana.
It’s also softer than yellow varieties, has a lovely fragrance, and may smell like ripe raspberries.
It has a creamy and earthy flavor; some say it smells like vanilla.
Red bananas, like other varieties, taste best when they’re perfectly ripe.
So, you must consume it as soon as possible.
It will remain sweet but won’t taste as good as when it’s perfectly ripe.
Even though it’s sweeter than yellow, you can substitute red banana for yellow and vice versa for any recipe.
Your dish will taste the same though it may have a better fragrance when using a red banana.
Red bananas contain a fair amount of fiber, vitamins B6 and C, potassium, magnesium, and protein.
So, incorporating red bananas into your diet will be a good idea.
How to Eat and Use Red Banana?
So we learned that the red banana is softer and sweeter than the typical yellow banana when ripe, but otherwise, it isn’t much different.
Hence, you can consume it like any other variety.
But it isn’t advisable to consume unripe banana as their taste can be unpleasant.
A ripe red banana should give in slightly when you put pressure and must have ivory white flesh.
You can chop off both ends, remove the peel and have it as usual.
You can also slice it up and use a fork if you don’t like the messiness.
If you feel bored to eat it alone, you can use the fruit in multiple ways.
Red banana is suitable for.
- Smoothies
- Pudding
- Ice cream
- Pancakes
You can add it to.
- Salads (use it with berries, grapes, pineapple, and others)
- Cereals
- Oatmeal
You can also use it to make.
- Muffins
- Cakes
- Bread
Red banana also tastes delicious when roasted, fried, or toasted.
It’s a versatile fruit that you can use in endless ways.
It’s also packed with nutrients, so it’s a suitable fruit for your diet.
Hence, even if it’s not as affordable as a regular banana, you can buy and eat it whenever possible.
Conclusion
A red banana is only a little sweeter than a regular yellow banana.
So, it’s a suitable substitute whenever you don’t have the former variety.
You can add it to any recipe that asks for a yellow banana.
It may be slightly costlier but won’t dent your pocket if you consume it only sometimes.
Enjoy it as any other banana or incorporate it in various dishes or cooking styles, as mentioned above.
But don’t overconsume it, or it can have side effects like any other food you take without limits.
You should also use it before it ripens too much, or it won’t taste as good, especially in a salad.
Leave a comment