Dorothy FarrarBanana
The banana is one of the most popular fruits in Germany – and not without good reason! The banana is versatile, edible without much preparation and, last but not least, very tasty.
Here’s what you should know about bananas
Bananas originally come from Southeast Asia, where Malaysia and Thailand are today. From there, the banana first spread to India, in the 6th century the yellow fruit then went via Egypt to Africa, later to South America, but also to the Caribbean. However, the banana only became really successful in export when it could be shipped across the oceans in refrigerated ships.
The bananas that we can buy in stores today mostly come from tropical countries such as Ecuador, Panama or Costa Rica. There they are usually grown in large plantations. In the warm, humid climate, the bananas grow on perennials and can be harvested after about a year.
Bananas need very nutrient-rich soil to grow. During this process, the bananas acquire their familiar, crooked shape, which results from turning towards the sun’s light and becoming curved. Bananas are not quite ripe when they are harvested, but often continue to ripen in the shop. They are available in stores in Germany all year round.
However, there are not only bananas that we eat in Germany, but also many different types that differ in shape, size and taste. Also known in this country is the plantain, for example, which is a staple food in other parts of the world, especially in America, Asia and Africa, comparable to the German potato .
importance to health
Bananas are a very healthy fruit. Bananas are an important source of energy, especially for those who do sports. But bananas not only give you strength, they also put you in a good mood. This is mainly due to the messenger substance serotonin . In addition, the vitamins contained in bananas can prevent some types of cancer, and folic acid also ensures the renewal of skin cells or blood formation .
They also contain all eight amino acids that the human body cannot produce on its own. Bananas can also be helpful for digestive problems or constipation or prevent these diseases.
Ingredients & nutritional values
In addition to vitamins, especially vitamin C and vitamin E , and carbohydrates , bananas contain minerals such as potassium and magnesium , which have a positive effect on the nerves and memory. In addition, bananas also have a certain amount of copper, fluorine and iron . Bananas also provide some fiber, which stimulates digestion, as well as pectin.
intolerances
Those who suffer from histamine intolerance should largely stay away from bananas, as the serotonin in bananas could have negative effects. In some people, bananas can also be part of a food intolerance that is triggered by serotonin. In the case of fructose intolerance, on the other hand, bananas can be eaten more easily than other fruit because they themselves contain relatively little fructose.
Shopping and kitchen tips
Bananas are often sold green and unripe in stores, but soon ripen in stores or in private households. For this reason, it is advisable to buy bananas that do not appear to be quite ripe, even if they cannot be eaten immediately after purchase.
When buying ripe, yellow bananas, on the other hand, they quickly turn brown, mushy and less edible shortly after purchase. In addition, bananas are often stored in ripening chambers and encouraged to ripen there with a gas called ethene. However, residues of this gas can still be on the bananas after purchase, so bananas should not be stored with other fruit, as this will ripen faster and can become overripe.
In addition, it is not recommended to put the bananas in a bowl, as bruises can easily occur. The best way to store bananas is to hang them from a hook in as dark and cool a place as possible, such as a basement or pantry.
Preparation tips
Bananas can be used in many ways in preparation. Of course, bananas can also simply be peeled and eaten, but there are many different ways to use the fruit. With a blender and some milk you can prepare a delicious banana milk, which can be refined with a little vanilla ice cream if necessary.
Banana cake, banana cake, banana pudding or banana ice cream can also be served as dessert. In addition, the banana can also be processed as jam, as a liqueur or even as a grilled banana.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.