Red banana: origin, properties and recipe to savor it

What is the origin of the red banana?

Both yellow and red bananas They belong to the same botanical species. muse acumunita, which includes the varieties that can be eaten raw and that together with the hybrids of musa acuminata and balbisian musemake up the entire family of fruits that are called bananas or plantains.

The difference is that the yellow bananas from the Canary Islands with designation of origin belong to cultivars of the Cavendish variety, such as Gran Enana, Zelig and Gruesa Palmera.. All these varieties meet under the official nomenclature musa acuminata Dhaka Network

Instead, red bananas belong to the varieties Cuban Red, Jamaican Red and Spanish Red. In America these varieties are well known and are called red banana (Argentina), claret or purple or taffeta banana (Colombia), purple banana (Cuba), red banana (Puerto Rico), red or pink banana (Ecuador), banana red (Peru and Spain).

More than 20 years ago the first red banana seed, from Martinique, It arrived in the Canary Islands thanks to the Canarian Institute of Agrarian Research (ICIA). The fruit has adapted perfectly to the islands and also to the climate of areas of the peninsula such as Almuñécar (Granada).

Those consumed in the rest of Europe usually come from India, Brazil, Ecuador or Indonesia, but those from Spain They come from the Canary Islands and Almuñécar (Granada).

Red bananas turn out noticeably more expensive because its production is small and its collection is more expensive. The price of a kilo is just over 3 euros. But it is very possible that we will find them more and more easily because the red banana plant is more resistant to “Panama disease”, a fungus (Fusarium oxysporum) that threatens traditional Canarian varieties.

What do red plantains taste like and how are they eaten?

The red banana is smaller and thicker than the yellow one, the skin is also thicker, and the color becomes darker as it ripens (in some varieties even brown spots appear). The pulp is not that different: it is yellow with a slight pink touch.

The taste of red plantains is different from that of ordinary yellow plantains. They are juicier, sweeter and with an aroma reminiscent of raspberry or red berries.

Red plantains can be eaten raw, just like yellow ones. You won’t have to do anything differently, just peel them and enjoy a different flavor, but very rich. They are also very tasty cooked in sweet and savory dishes.

Are red bananas healthy?

The red color of these bananas is due to their content of antioxidant carotenoids, especially beta-carotene, which is transformed into vitamin A in the body. The darker they are, more beta-carotene and more vitamin C contribute. This is the main nutritional difference compared to the yellow banana. The rest of the characteristics are very similar: they are rich in fiber, potassium, magnesium and vitamin B6.

Nutritional value

A small 100 g red banana provides:

Calories: 90 caloriesCarbohydrates: 21 gProtein: 1.3 gFat: 0.3 gFiber: 3 gPotassium: 358 mg, 10% of the reference daily intake (Recommended Daily Intake, RDI)Beta-carotene: 1,412 μgVitamin B6: 0.6 mg, 28% of the RDI Vitamin C: 8.7 mg, 15% of the RDI Magnesium: 28 mg, 8% of the RDI

Red Banana Benefits

Due to its nutritional characteristics and healthy properties, the red banana offers different health benefits:

Promote blood pressure control and immunity

Research shows that eating more foods rich in potassium can help lower blood pressure. A review of 22 studies found that eating more potassium lowered systolic blood pressure (the top number in a reading) by 7 mm Hg.

Another important mineral for blood pressure control ismagnesium. A small red banana provides about 8% of your daily needs for this mineral. A review of 10 studies noted that increasing your magnesium intake by 100 mg per day can lower your risk of high blood pressure by up to 5%.

Red bananas are rich in vitamins C and B6. These nutrients are essential for a healthy immune system. A small red banana provides 9% and 28% of the RDIs for vitamins C and B6, respectively.

Very rich in prebiotic fiber

Prebiotics are a type of fiber that feed beneficial gut bacteria. Like yellow plantains, red plantains are a great source of prebiotic fiber, especially in fructooligosaccharides and inulin.

The preobiotic fiber in bananas can reduce swelling, increases the diversity of bacteria beneficial intestinal and combat constipation.

lower glycemic index

Although red bananas are sweeter than yellow ones, their glycemic index is lower, so they contribute better to health. stability of blood glucose levels.

Is it aphrodisiac?

For reasons that surely have to do with the shape rather than the nutritional content or proven properties, in Central America and India, both the red plantain and its juice are reputed to be aphrodisiacs and promoters of fertility.

Recipe with red banana

Chicory salad with red bananas

Ingredients for 4 people):

2 tablespoons sliced ​​almonds3 red chicory3 red bananas1 orange2 tablespoons lemon juice3 tablespoons olive oilSalt and pepper

Elaboration:

1. Toast the sliced ​​almonds in a non-greasy pan and let them cool.
2. Scoop out the bitter end of the radicchio and cut off the leaves.
3. Cut the bananas and the orange into small pieces and mix them with the radicchio.
4. Beat the lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper until well blended.
5. Pour the dressing over the salad.
6. Before serving, sprinkle the salad with the sliced ​​almonds.

Other ways to incorporate red banana into your diet

Blend them into a smoothie. Cut them into slices and add them as an ingredient to oat muesli. Freeze the red bananas, then run them through a blender to make a homemade ice cream. Combine them with peanut butter on whole wheat toast. Add them to recipes of muffins and homemade biscuits.