“If the term ‘crop’ signifies a plant that can be grown for subsistence, then the plantain and the edible diploid bananas may indeed have been the first fruit crop.” It might be easiest, then, to begin—but not end—with the banana, whose origins are generally considered to be in Southeast Asia between 8000-5000 BCE.
Did bananas come from plantains?
A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called “plantains”, distinguishing them from dessert bananas.
| Banana | |
|---|---|
| Order: | Zingiberales |
| Family: | Musaceae |
| Genus: | Musa |
Where did bananas and plantains originate?
The bananas that originated from Southeast Asia were not the size that we are familiar with today. They were small, about as long as an adult finger, hence the name “banan”, Arabic for finger. However, some believe the name may have come from a local language in West Africa. Bananas are also known as plantains.
When was banana invented?
Bananas were originally found in South East Asia, mainly in India. They were brought west by Arab conquerors in 327 B.C. and moved from Asia Minor to Africa and finally carried to the New World by the first explorers and missionaries to the Caribbean.
Do bananas and plantains come from the same tree?
It should come as no surprise to hear that plantain trees and banana trees are related. They grow in remarkably similar ways, but they are considered different species from one another. For example, the plantain tree is classified as Musa balbisiana, while the banana tree is classified as Musa acuminata.
Are bananas indigenous to Africa?
Indeed, banana cultivation was the economic backbone of some African kingdoms that thrived before European colonization. Until recently, most African scholars assumed that the banana, which is native to New Guinea, was not introduced into Africa earlier than about 2000 years ago.
Why do plantains taste like bananas?
Do plantains taste like bananas? No, plantains don’t taste like bananas. Plantains don’t have a “banana” flavor because they are a distinct fruit and aren’t eaten raw like most bananas. When ripe, plantains are sweet like bananas, but it’s a different flavor.
Are plantains native to Africa?
Plantains are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. The French plantains also occur in Indonesia and the islands of the Pacific.
What country were bananas originally from?
Bananas were first grown in Southeast Asian jungles. Most people believe that bananas originated in the country of Malaysia because of the large variety of bananas found there. It is likely that they were the first fruit to be farmed by humans. Bananas were brought to the Americas by Spanish explorers in the 1500s.
Who brought plantains to Africa?
It is said that In the 15th century plantains were found by Portuguese explorers in Western Africa and taken back to there home for planting. Portuguese explorers found bananas in western Africa and planted some back home.
What is the oldest fruit?
Figs
Figs – the world’s oldest fruits
Fig trees have been grown since ancient times, which is why figs are often referred to as the oldest fruits known to man.
What wiped out the original banana?
Gros Michel did well up until the 1950s. But then a fungus known as Fusarium wilt, or Panama disease, rapidly infected entire plantations, and caused a global collapse in the banana trade. The industry quickly found a replacement, a banana resistant to Panama disease, called the Cavendish.
What was the original banana called?
History seems to be repeating itself. The bananas your grandparents ate were a variety called Gros Michel, which apparently make bananas at your grocery store seem unbearably bland by comparison.
Is the plantain in the banana family?
Bananas and plantains are both fruits that come from the same family of plants. Though they look alike, they have very different flavor profiles.
Why is plantain not a fruit?
The plantain is essentially a fruit. It belongs to the family of bananas, specifically the Musa genus. However, it is mostly used as a vegetable because of its higher starch content and low sugar.
What are tiny bananas called?
Lady Finger bananas
Lady Finger bananas, also known as baby bananas, are sweeter and smaller than Cavendish bananas. They’re usually around three inches in length and feature a creamy texture and sweet flavor with notes of honey.
What fruit is originally from Africa?
For probably as long as people have lived in Africa, they have eaten culturally and traditionally important indigenous fruits such as baobab, desert date, black plum, and tamarind.
What do Africans call bananas?
The medium-sized green fruits, which are of a specific group of banana, the East African Highland bananas (Musa AAA-EA), are known in the Bantu languages of Uganda and Western Kenya as matoke.
Can dogs eat bananas?
Yes, dogs can eat bananas. It’s tempting to share tasty fruit with your dog, especially when they’re staring at you longingly. The good news is dogs can eat bananas in reasonable quantities as an occasional treat. Our experts explain how and when to treat your dog to this fruit without causing digestive upset.
Can dogs eat plantains?
Dogs can eat small amounts of cooked plantains, but you should avoid feeding your pooch raw plantains, which are choking hazards. Bake or boil plantains to soften them before slicing them into small manageable pieces.
Can you eat a plantain raw like a banana?
Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. They can be eaten raw but are best when fried.