ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

"Bananas"

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Banana is a tropical fruit, banana fruit. It contains vitamins A, B, C, E. It is usually consumed raw, although it can be eaten fried, baked and dried, in round flat slices. For its preservation it can be ground in flour after drying. It is a native plant of the tropical zone and was probably first domesticated in Papua New Guinea. Today it is grown mainly in the tropical zone. Some recent discoveries of banana phytoliths in Cameroon dating to the first millennium BC sparked an international debate on the ancient cultivation of bananas in Africa. There is linguistic evidence that bananas were already known in Madagascar around that time. The earliest testimony of banana cultivation prior to these recent discoveries was considered the late 6th century. This testimony implies that bananas were grown in Africa before Polynesian settlers arrived in Madagascar and also indicates contact and trade between Polynesians and Africans at least 3,000 years ago. Other banana varieties were introduced to the eastern coast of Africa by Muslim Arabs.

Description

The fruit is long, yellow on the outside, with pleasant aroma and soft bark which can be easily removed. Its inner color is off-white and besides delicious it is also highly digestible (but the unripe banana produces many gases). Its length can reach 15-18 cm and diameter 4-5 cm. As long as the banana is green. Once matured, it takes its characteristic yellow color. Its bark can easily be detached into strips. The banana plant is a fake that grows up to 6 to 7.6 meters in height. The leaves are arranged spiralically and can reach 2.7 m in length and 60 cm in width. A portion of banana is thought to be about 126 grams. This quantity shall contain the following information:

Species
There are many types of banana varieties, many of which would surprise Western European consumers who are used to the ubiquitous variety of Cavendish dessert found in supermarkets. Others include the red Cubans (or Colorado) who come from Ecuador and have brown-red skin, Lactated from the Philippines which are very aromatic, and Manzano and Buro who have light apple and lemon flavors, respectively. Other exotic varieties are not generally consumed locally, because their skin is not stored properly or easily damaged. Banana planters (Musa balbisiana), the ancestors of the common domesticated banana are sold on markets in Indonesia.

Uses
The leaves of the plant are large, flexible and waterproof. They are used in many ways, as windscreens and for wrapping food for cooking or storage.

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