Are bananas and plantains the same species?

Bananas and plantains are both fruits that come from the same family of plants. Though they look alike, they have very different flavor profiles.

Is plantain Caribbean or African?

Plantains can be found all over the Caribbean and Central America, but they were not always native to these areas. Plantains are indigenous to the tropical regions of Southeast Asia. They made their way along trade routes to Africa and then were brought to the Caribbean by the Spanish and African slave traders.

What is the history of plantain?

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.

Is a plantain a male banana?

Plantains are members of the banana family, but they are starchier and lower in sugar, which means that when they are ripe, they will still be green in color. Native to India and the Caribbean, plantains serve an important role in many traditional diets.

How does a plantain plant look like?

Plantains look like large, green bananas, to which they are related, and like bananas, they don’t actually grow on trees, they grow on large herb plants which grow big like trees.

What are plantains food?

Plantains are hard, starchy bananas used for cooking, as contrasted with the soft, sweet varieties. Plantains are a staple food in the tropical regions of the world, treated in much the same way as potatoes and with a similar neutral flavour and texture when unripe.

Where are plantains grown?

Cameroon. Cameroon is the world’s largest producer of plantains.

Is common plantain edible?

Common plantain leaves are edible and taste like Swiss chard. When young they can be eaten raw. Older, tougher leaves may be boiled as a potherb. Common plantain leaves are high in calcium and Vitamins A, C and K.