how many types of plantains are there

A Puerto Rico native and former food service professional, Hector Rodriguez develops recipes inspired by the Caribbean and Latin America. In Caribbean countries such as Jamaica, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, you can find ripe plantains fried and served along with a meal. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. The Dwarf Iholena fruit grows in a compact, stocky bunch with short, wide leaves. Yellow plantains often have many black spots on the outside. Green plantains are often used to make Latin American dishes like tostones or mofongo, as well as West African dishes like fufu. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. It is probable that bananas arrived in India, Indonesia, Australia, and Malaysia, within the first two millennia after domestication. However, they are now grown all over the world, including in India, Egypt, Indonesia, and tropical regions of the Americas. Plantains arent fattening by themselves. A Guide to 6 Different Types of Bananas - The Spruce Eats Sea-Forest Plantation is a 17th-century fishing plantation established by John Guy at Cuper's Cove (present day Cupids) in Newfoundland, Canada in 1610 under a royal charter issued by King James I. They just need to be peeled when raw. Plantains are generally more starchy and a bit drier than normal household bananas. The perfect ripeness depends on personal taste. You can incorporate plantains as part of a meat- or vegetarian-friendly stew or grill them alongside fish. However, as plantains ripen, their starches are converted to sugars. Because bananas and plantains have similar nutritional composition, they may provide some of the same health benefits. Try to water the soil whenever the top layer begins to dry out. What they are, what they look like, along with in-depth information on nutrition and health benefits. This article reviews the health effects of bananas. It is their version of a tamale. Climbing up to 12 to 15 feet tall, the plantain tree is known for ornamental beauty, even without the fruit. There are over 200 species of plantain within the genus Plantago, and, as far as I know, all are edible. Theyre a rich source of fiber, vitamins A, C, and B-6, and the minerals magnesium and potassium. Plantain is the name of a large group of bananas that has upwards of 100 cultivars1 . For example, you can mash them as a side dish for meats and veggies, or you can distill them for banana juice to add to drinks and desserts. Plantains and bananas both come from the same plant family. Plantains are commonly prepared while either ripened (while theyre yellow with black spots) or unripened (when theyre light green). High-fat, high-salt, or high-sugar foods can raise your risk of weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. TheAfrican Rhinois a horn plantain that grows in Africa. It is maintained by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as a provincial heritage site. Risks. This is based on a weight of 0.5 lbs. And Im a co-founder of Storyteller.Travel. Why is fiber important? Studies have found an inverse relationship between vitamin C intake and lung, breast, colon, stomach, esophagus, and other types of cancers. Plantains are high in vitamin C, and having them in a well-balanced diet can support the immune system. Each variety has subgroups based on size or growth style. Not only does it aid digestion, but it can also add bulk to your food intake, making you feel fuller for longer periods of time with less calories consumed. This vitamin acts as an antioxidant which may help boost your immune system. In Nigeria, four main types of plantain are available with distribution strictly based on their bunch characteristics. What is the Difference Between a Plantain and a Banana? Bananas do contain carbs that can raise blood sugar, but they also have fiber and beneficial nutrients. Yes. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. This is a detailed article about bananas. They can usually be found in the produce section of your local supermarket. All About Raw Honey: How Is It Different Than Regular Honey? The African Rhino Horn plantain produces edible, sharply curved, and elongated bananas, growing to a length of two feet, one of the longest fruits among plantain varieties and weighing up to two pounds each. However, carbs arent inherently bad. How long does it take a plantain tree to bear fruit? There are many health benefits of the plantain, including: The daily recommended fiber intake for healthy adults is 25 grams. Dandelions. Vitamin B-6. How do you feel about peanut butter? When you use our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. 1. Potassium is necessary for the heart, nerves, and muscles to operate properly. French and Horns plantains are the two most common types. One medium sized plantain: 372 calories 100 grams of plantain: 155 calories 1 cup (139 grams): 215 calories The calories and nutritional information are based on the plantain only. This is different from the soft and sweet banana (which is often called dessert banana).Plantain. Yet another reason why plantain is such a beginner-friendly plant! Pelipita is a commercial version of the plantain. Theyre particularly popular in developing countries since theyre a versatile and nutritionally rich staple food, but theyve also gotten the gourmet treatment from Western countries. After a brief blanching, the plantains should have a perfectly balanced texture. That is, of course, unless you're fortunate enough to live in a tropical climate and can grow your own. Can you eat a plantain without cooking it? This article explains the differences between raw and regular honey. What are the disadvantages of eating plantain? Pisang Tanduk bananas are slightly sour when young, but they mature and become creamy and sweet when cooked. The edges caramelize and become crispy like the edges of pancakes cooked in butter. The thick peel of the horn-shaped fruit is green when immature and yellow when ripe. Table of Contents Where do plantains grow? There are several different varieties of banana-like fruits, which are all part of the same family, but taste very different from each other. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Plantain Weed: Benefits, Side Effects, and Uses - Healthline However, in Western cultures, the term banana usually refers to the sweet, yellow variety. The French plantains also occur in Indonesia and the islands of the Pacific. Mayo Clinic Staff. Do bananas make you fat, or are they actually weight-loss-friendly foods? Plantains are black when fully ripe and have a flavor that is close to a banana but not sweet. A single plantain can offer as much as half of your daily recommended intake of Vitamin C! (Note: Many stores sell frozen varieties of baked and fried plantains too.). Dessert types such as the Cavendish banana can be eaten raw, as they are sweet and easily digestible when ripe. They are technically large herbs, and their fruit is classified as berries. In fact, they share some nutritional and health-promoting qualities too. You can use plantains in more savory dishes. Are Bananas Fattening or Weight-Loss-Friendly? Plantains are closely related to the banana, but theyre a distinct food. Luckily, there are many delicious ways to prepare this versatile fruit. Though they look alike, they have very different flavor profiles. Ripe plantains peel as easily as a banana. They all belong to the musaceae family. The good news, however, is that the plantain tree's rhizomes will survive in the ground at temperatures down to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. After that, they are fried and served as a dessert. Plantains are also cheap, tasty and highly versatile in the kitchen, so whether youre interested in sweet snacks or savory stews and meat dishes, theyre a must-have for your pantry! They also grow in bunches (called hands), but that's where the similarities end. Peeling a plantain does require some patience, especially until you learn the technique. Like bananas, they start green and progress to yellow and then a dark brown-black as they ripen. Maybe youre even ready to start traveling the world and hitting the food stalls firsthand. Harder to peel (especially when green) than bananas, plantains cannot be eaten raw. These are; the horn type, French type, false type and false horn type. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Does plantain have a poisonous look alike? Plantains contain around 57 grams of carbs per cup (139 grams). They are always ready for cooking no matter what stage of ripenessgreen, yellow, or blackand used in a variety of dishes, from appetizers to desserts. In fact, plantains can be a great boost to your diet. Adequate potassium intake may help lower blood pressure and reduce heart disease risk (6, 7). However, theyll easily soak up oil and salt, so you might want to skip the fried plantains if youre trying to drop a few pounds. People with cancer were also found to have lower blood plasma concentrations of vitamin C. The high amount of potassium found in plantains is essential for maintaining the cell and body fluids that control your heart rate and blood pressure. Dietary fiber: Essential for a healthy diet. Though bananas are a healthy, nutrient-dense snack, eating too many could be detrimental. Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) can be used to make an salve that takes the itch off of mosquito bites. Jacquelyn Cafasso has been in a writer and research analyst in the health and pharmaceutical space since she graduated with a degree in biology from Cornell University. In areas in South and Central America, these are called tajadas, and they are longer. They keep you fuller and more satisfied for longer after a meal, which can mean less snacking on unhealthy foods. Or they have an insignificant amount. By: Author Homestratosphere's Editorial Staff & Writers, Posted on Last updated: November 11, 2022. Endocrine Surgeon. Can You Preserve Plantain In The Freezer? Tostones are often a side dish. Tostones Read More One of the many great things about plantains is that theres a wide range of time during which they are delicious to eat. How Many Types Of Surgeons Are There? (With Salaries) We also share travel tips, packing lists, and gear reviews. Including them in your diet may help you maintain healthy sodium and potassium balance in your body. These trees arent actually difficult to cultivate; there are how-to guides on the Internet if youd like to stick one in your own backyard. Plantains have been eaten in Africa, Asia, and Latin America for centuries, but the Western world is only just beginning to realize the many nutritional benefits of the plantain.

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