Banana

A banana is a curved, elongated fruit with a thick yellow peel and soft, pale flesh. When ripe it has a creamy, custard-like texture and sweet, mellow flavor; when green it is starchier and less aromatic. It is eaten fresh, blended into smoothies, baked into quick breads, or caramelized for toppings.

Domesticated in Southeast Asia and New Guinea, bananas spread across the tropics through trade and cultivation. They feature in Latin American, Caribbean, and African cuisines and are grown on large plantations, harvested green, and ripened with ethylene during distribution.