Can you eat Musa Musa is one of two or three genera in the family Musaceae; it includes bananas and plantains. Around 70 species of Musa are known, with a broad variety of uses. Though they grow as high as trees, banana and plantain plants are not woody and their apparent "stem" is made up of the base…Musa
What type of banana is safe to eat?
The species of banana tree that is safe for eating is called the Cavendish banana (musa cavendishii). This type of banana tree produces fruit that is larger and sweeter than the fruit from an ornamental banana tree. The Cavendish banana is the most popular type of banana in the world, and can be found in supermarkets across the globe.
Are wild bananas edible?
Wild bananas can be very tough (like a plantain but more) or very seedy and only the flesh around the seeds is edible. In short, yes wild bananas are edible but eating them may not be a good idea, unless you know exactly what kind of banana plant it is.
Can you eat the seeds in bananas?
The bananas we know today are a mix of two wild banana species – Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. The balbisiana has an incredible amount of hard, stony seeds that are inedible and eating it may be difficult. The acuminata is more manageable, but will definitely pose problems due to texture.
Is it better to eat overripe or underripe banana?
An overripe banana is considered better for the bread since it has a denser texture and can be easily mashed. The Banoffee pie is a popular English dessert that combines toffee, cream, and bananas with a buttery biscuit base. The name is derived by combining the words ‘banana’ and ‘toffee’ together.

Why are Musa Basjoo bananas not edible?
Unfortunately they are hardly usable in Europe and North America, because they don't ripe alright and are full of seeds, and they also taste bitter and dry. Crosses with Musa sikkimensis, Musa 'Prata', disease resistant new Brazilian cultivars and other species could change this.
Which bananas are not edible?
The roots of the banana plants are the only parts that are not consumed as food by humans. The parts of the plant that we can eat are the inner stem, flower, raw banana and ripe banana.
Is Musa Basjoo fruit edible?
The banana fruit formed are yellow-green, around 5–10 cm (2.0–3.9 in) long and 2–3 cm (0.79–1.18 in) broad; they are inedible, with sparse white pulp and many black seeds.
Which banana trees are edible?
All banana plants grow fruit, but not all are grown for their fruit. The edible varieties of bananas include Cavendish bananas, red bananas, sweet and pinkish apple bananas, Indonesian Raja bananas, small and sweet Lady Fingers bananas, and cooking bananas, such as plantains.
How can you tell if a banana is edible?
Ultimately, as long as your banana is not moldy, and is not slimy or overly soft and squishy when you remove the peel, it is safe to eat brown bananas. A banana with brown spots or freckles is fine. These spots are one indicator of ripeness (smell is another indicator—more on a banana's fragrance in a minute).
Can I eat the bananas from my banana tree?
Most of the large banana trees here grow edible fruit. The size, shape and quality of the fruit, however, varies greatly from tree to tree. If the bananas your tree produces are not sweet enough for fresh eating, try using them in a recipe and adding a little sugar.
Can you eat bananas from a cold hardy banana tree?
The cold hardy banana tree produces green leaves and small, light yellow flowers. Inedible bananas grow out of these flowers, starting off bright green and turning yellow when the banana ripens. Unfortunately, the bananas aren't edible, as the inside is bitter and dry.
What is the most cold hardy edible banana?
Musa basjooConsidered the most cold hardy banana! Its lush green foliage provides an outstanding tropical effect yet its roots survive much colder temperatures than other bananas. A fast grower, with huge leaves that may reach 2 feet wide and 6 feet long.
Can you use Musa basjoo leaves in cooking?
Re: Are Musa Basjoo leaves and flowers edible? I was under the impression that basjoo were inedible as well, but scrolling thru Netflix this morning, there is a series called Flavorful Origins. In season 2, episode 7, "Hardy Banana" they state in the title that basjoo is the variety they are cooking and eating.
Are all banana trees edible?
That being said, not all banana plants produce fruit that you can eat. Some varieties like the red banana, the dwarf banana, and the pink velvet banana are grown for their flowers. They do make fruit, but it's not edible. When you're choosing a banana plant, make sure to pick one that's bred to make tasty fruit.
Is a Musa a banana plant?
Musa and Ensete are the two main types of banana grown in the UK. You may find several species and cultivars of these on sale, which may differ in size or leaf colour. Most banana plants are tender, so they must be protected from frost.
What is the best tasting banana variety?
The Ladyfingers are the sweetest and best tasting of them all, but since there's no reliable way to determine which kind you're getting, you'll have to undertake some delicious trial and error. These fruits must be very ripe to reach full sweetness; their skin should look deep brown, with dark streaks.
Can u eat all banana?
Banana peels are totally edible, if prepared correctly. Bananas are known for their high potassium content, with each medium fruit containing a whopping 422 milligrams. The peel contains an additional 78 milligrams of potassium, plus plenty of filling fiber.
What are the 3 types of bananas?
9 Types of BananasCavendish bananas: Cavendish bananas are a mainstay of grocery stores. ... Apple bananas: Also known as candy apple bananas, these small fruits grow naturally in Hawaii. ... Red bananas: These bananas have a similar shape and flavor to yellow bananas, but they turn red when ripe.More items...•
Is it OK to eat a green banana?
What's more, they're rich in many essential vitamins and minerals. Most people eat bananas when the fruit is yellow and ripe, but green unripe bananas are also safe to eat. However, some people dislike their taste and texture.
Are black bananas safe to eat?
If the bananas are moldy, smell rotten, or have a black center — aka black center syndrome, a fungal condition — do not eat them. As The Whole Portion confirms, these are bananas to avoid.
What is a ripe banana?
A ripe wild banana may have a sweet and delicious taste. It may also have its distinct fresh and fruity flavor that’s mostly missing from our everyday banana. However it depends a lot on what kind of wild banana you find. The bananas we know today are a mix of two wild banana species – Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana.
Why are bananas always fresh?
Bananas are available all year round, so they are always fresh because they don’t have a specific season. They’re picked green and they ripen during transport, so they’re pretty much the perfect fruit.
How many yellow fingers does a banana tree have?
The forest is full of these wild banana trees so you will have plenty to choose from. One hand would normally have 60 yellow fingers, each 3-4 inches long. You can eat them as they ripe. There are no seeds in them.
What are baby bananas called?
These bananas are very small and thin. Their trees are more like shrubs and can be found all over the place. Their fruits are called ‘baby bananas’ and are sweet and delicious. You can cut and bring home a hand with ripening bananas. Let it ripen away from insects and birds.
Is Balbisiana hard to eat?
The balbisiana has an incredible amount of hard, stony seeds that are inedible and eating it may be difficult. The acuminata is more manageable, but will definitely pose problems due to texture. Wild bananas can be very tough (like a plantain but more) or very seedy and only the flesh around the seeds is edible.
Can you eat wild bananas?
But you can eat wild bananas. They are not poisonous, nor are their seeds. They are perfectly edible as long as you don’t mind the many seeds that you are likely going to encounter while eating the wild bananas. The modern banana came as an attempt to get the perfect fruit.
Do wild bananas taste good?
Yes, they are. In fact, this is quite an exciting proposition. As different reports suggest, wild bananas can taste more delicious than our regular everyday banana. The only annoyance are the seeds that can take some effort to be completely removed from the wild bananas. But the effort can be well worth it.
What zone do bananas grow in?
Zone 9-10 and indoors. also, ornamentals, thru Zone 3. Bananas are terrific tropicals and major cool indoor plants almost anywhere. Most folks want eating bananas. Bananas are very easy to grow. For that "air of the tropics" nothing exceeds the look of a banana tree or a fine fruit patch of bananas. click pic to enlarge.
How to stop bananas from growing?
Observe your fruit often to notice this growth and the stoppage of growth. About 4-6 weeks after finger growth has stopped, cut off the whole stalk of bananas. Make your cut very close to the main banana stalk or right through the top of the banana plant. If you do this right, you will get a large "hook" at the top of the stalk and all the hands hanging below. Hang the whole stalk in a shady spot outside and at about chest level
How to cut bananas out of a banana plant?
Get a sharp straight shovel. Use the shovel to cut down into the soil between the largest stem (the smaller one is closest to). Cut down deep. We like to wait a week or two at this point. After a week or two, finish cutting out the baby banana. Wrap the bottom of the baby and its roots in several layers of wet newspapers. Take your gift to your friend. Plant as soon as possible. Waiting more than a day or two may kill the baby plant
What do plantains look like?
Plantains look and grow just like bananas. There are types that are a cross between banana and plantain. Some you cook, some you don't. There are also ornamental bananas . Some have colorful leaves as this one below
How do banana flowers look like?
Banana flowers can be huge. They hang down pointing at the ground. The flower has flaps that will open upward in series over many weeks. As each flap opens, you will see cup-like flowers. Pick one and drink the liquid. You won't believe how wonderful the nectar tastes. The bees will be around to get their share as well as many other insects
What happens when a plant's leaves turn yellow?
As the plant grows, the older leaves will yellow as new leaves appear. You can elect to do nothing and the yellow leaves will shrivel and become re-absorbed into the plant. If you do not like the appearance of yellow leaves, use a sharp knife to cut them off. We like to throw the cut leaves on top of the much to add even more mulch and return the nutrients back to the soil and plants
What happens if you cut stems?
Cutting stems pushes food to the main three stems which you hope will fruit. If you allow more stems, you end up with too much foliage and not enough food for fruiting. Even if you feed super heavily, you will end up with a very congested mass of stems and not much more fruit
What is the best banana to eat in Indonesia?
The Pisang Raja bananas are really popular in Indonesia and are also commonly known as Musa Belle bananas. They are used to make a popular street food called Pisang Goreng (banana fritters) because of their delectable and firm texture. They taste sweet like honey and have a range of colors from yellow to orange. Despite their great taste, the Pisang Raja banana isn’t popular in other regions of the world and it is really difficult to come by in local markets outside Indonesia.
What is the color of the barangan banana?
The Barangan banana is yellow with small black dots all over the rind. It has a sweet taste and the flesh is slightly white in color. It has no seeds and is eaten as a dessert in many regions. It is really popular in North Sumatra since it is a tasty fruit packed with nutrients like carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins.
What is the most popular banana?
The most popular variety of bananas is known as Cavendish bananas. They are slightly sweet bananas found in supermarkets all over the world. They have three main stages of ripening: under-ripe, ripe, and over-ripe. Cavendish bananas go from green to yellow, to deep yellow with brown spots. Every stage of the banana is used in different ways, even ...
What is a baby banana called?
Baby bananas are also called Lady’s Finger bananas. They are sweeter and smaller than the more popular Cavendish bananas. Usually, they are eaten raw just like Willian bananas. They make really great portion-controlled snacks, which is why a lot of parents buy them for their kids.
What is a Manzano banana?
The Manzano Banana is a popular dessert banana that has a mild taste similar to apples or strawberries. They turn black when they are fully ripe and are a great source of Vitamin C, potassium, amino acids, and fiber. It is found all year round in Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America.
What is a dwarf cavendish banana?
The Dwarf Cavendish Banana isn’t named after the size of the fruit but rather the height of the pseudostem. They have purple or maroon spots when they are young and become more yellow over time as they ripen. They are the most common variety of Cavendish bananas.
How many fingers does a cavendish banana plant have?
Their leaves have short petioles, which makes them wind-resistant, stable, and easy to manage during cultivation. Each plant bears up to 90 fingers at a time, which makes them perfect for mass-production.

Are Wild Bananas Edible ?
- Yes, some wild bananas are edible. A ripe wild banana may have a sweet and delicious taste. It may also have its distinct fresh and fruity flavor that’s mostly missing from our everyday banana. However it depends a lot on what kind of wild banana you find. The bananas we know today are a mix of two wild banana species – Musa acuminata and Musa balb...
What Do Wild Bananas Taste like?
- Since these are completely from nature, they have different tastes and flavors. Many people say that wild bananas taste better than regular store-bought bananas. However, there are also people that say that the taste is not as sweet and good as the bananas we are used to, I would guess this is because it is way harder to know when a wild banana is completely ripe, and not all of them wi…
Different Looks, Shape
- Besides a delicious taste, there may not be many great features in the wild banana. They may not look similar to the regular banana that we get to see in our everyday life. They may have a different shape and structure depending on the climate and conditions in which they grow. For example, it can look stout, pointed on both ends, and protruding in the middle. The skin may not …
Domestication of Bananas
- The wild bananas were domesticated for regular cultivation from two best known wild species Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata, the later being more widely adopted by farmers. It took a long time for the perfect banana combination to show up, but one it did several offshoots were developed. The most popular dessert banana is the Cavendish type. It’s the largest, longest bana…
Final Thoughts
- Are wild bananas edible? Yes, they are. In fact, this is quite an exciting proposition. As different reports suggest, wild bananas can taste more delicious than our regular everyday banana. The only annoyance are the seeds that can take some effort to be completely removed from the wild bananas. But the effort can be well worth it.