Banana
Common Name: Banana
Botanical Name: Musa paradisica Linne
Growing Area:Tropical regions worldwide
Premium Banana Products:
- Banana Freeze Dried Powder
- Banana Juice Powder
Further products such as Banana Fruit Powder are available upon request. Fill out our form or contact your sales representative to request wholesale prices or a complimentary sample of any of our wholesale Banana products.
General Info:
The Banana is the fruit of the Banana “tree,” which is actually a large flowering herbaceous plant. Most Banana cultivars are perennial and have a tall, sturdy stem that can grow up to 25 feet in height. This stem produces a single “Banana heart,” a reddish, teardrop-shaped inflorescence that the Banana fruits develop from. A Banana plant only bears a single bunch of fruit, consisting of 3-20 tiers of edible Banana fruits on a thick stem. The bright green, glossy leaves of the Banana are long and broad, sometimes growing up to 9 feet long and 2 feet wide. The Banana fruit has a soft, creamy flesh encased in a bright yellow, sleeve-like peel, which develops brown spots as the fruit ripens. Fibrous “strings” run up and down the length of the fruit on the inside of the peel. These strings are called phleom bundles and are responsible for distributing nutrients to the entire Banana. Most Banana types have a sweet, mellow flavor, while other varieties are meant for cooking, such as the plantain. The Banana heart is also edible and in some countries is commonly used for cooking.
Nutrients & Applications:
A true nutritional treasure, the Banana is a good source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium and manganese. These bright fruits are also a very good source of vitamin B6 and contain magnesium, folate and riboflavin as well as several essential fatty acids. The potassium content in the Banana may be beneficial to bone health in some individuals. In addition, the fiber, folate, magnesium and potassium may promote cardiovascular health. The Banana may help maintain normal blood sugar levels as well as contribute to kidney health. Research has also indicated that consuming 3 or more servings of fruit such as the Banana daily is related to maintaining optical health. Some banana cultivars, especially ones with golden flesh, contain carotenoids and may be a source of vitamin A. The Banana also contains fructooligosaccharides (FOS). FOS are naturally occurring sugars that are indigestible by humans, and therefore calorie-free. FOS also have a prebiotic effect and encourage microflora growth in the intestinal tract. *
