Bananas are nutritious but also high in sugar and carbs. Bananas and plantains are both fruits that come from the same family of plants. That said, if youve ever peeled a banana and noticed little black spots within the yellow pulp, those are the immature seeds that never grew into anything more! Homestratosphere's Editorial Staff & Writers, 19 Different Types of Wood-Cutting Tools For Every Project, 24 Asian-Inspired Living Room Ideas Showcase the Richness of Cultural Fusion, 24 Beige Primary Bathroom Ideas Use Tonal Palette to Create Serene Oasis, 38 Different Types of Clamps to Tackle Any Project Imaginable, Unraveling 12 Different Types of Wire Fencing to Find the Right Fit for Your Project. Fufu is a West African porridge that is made with sweet potato, yam, cassava, taro, or maize. This article. One of these sources can be plantains. They must be cooked and are an important part of Central and South American, Caribbean, African, and Southeast Asian cuisines. That is until you try to peel them. Keep in mind, though, that both plantains and bananas are whole foods that contain fiber. It is a staple of food in that area. This article explains the differences between raw and regular honey. An average, medium-sized plantain weighs 0.5 lbs (240g) when peeled. They are fried once under tender, then smashed, and fried again. 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. Botanically speaking, bananas are a type of berry (1). Some claim that raw honey is healthier than regular. Unripe plantains have a very low amount of sugar, and theyre also filled with vitamins and minerals that can help to prevent a hypoglycemic effect. Unripe plantains how shown to have a hypoglycemic effect. No. You can prune away most of the tree's suckers with a pair of pruners. Though similar, plantains and bananas share key differences in flavor and usage. Plantains can be eaten at any stage of ripening, but youll need a knife to peel them. Green (unripe) plantains are savory, while yellow/black (ripe) plantains will be quite sweet. Popoulu plantains are native to the Pacific. The false horn type is the most widely distrib- uted because of its ability to tolerate poor soil conditions. However, if you were to substitute a plantain for a banana in a recipe, you may be surprised by its very different taste. Vitamin B6 is particularly noteworthy because its been linked to the production of serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and other mood-boosting chemicals in the brain. Cooked plantains are nutritionally very similar to a potato, calorie-wise, but contain more of certain vitamins and minerals. Is Broadleaf Plantain Good For Bug Bites? Their nutritional content and potential health benefits are similar, as are some of their applications in the kitchen. Along with the texture, its a quite unappealing victual. While its possible to confuse bananas with plantains because of the two fruits visual similarities, youll find its easy to tell them apart after tasting them. Two types dominate the market: French or Horn, each with a number of varieties. Here are 14 unique types of bananas. Banana chips or crisps are the most popular snack, where the plantains are thinly sliced and deep-fried in coconut oil. They go from under-ripe green to perfectly ripe and still firm mellow yellow, to riper deep yellow with a brown spot or two, to super soft and browning. There are many vegan protein powders on the market, with a variety of flavors and ingredients available. When prepared the right way, plantains can be a delicious treat. Plantains are usually larger and tougher than bananas, with much thicker skin. They are the long yellow, slightly sweet bananas at supermarkets around the U.S. When you fry them at this point, the sugar caramelizes and creates a crispy and sweet edge. Plantains are perennials plants with sturdy leaves that grow in the same areas year after year. Plantains and bananas are quite similar in terms of nutrition, so its hard to say whether one is better than the other. Some studies show they may have a hypoglycemic effect, or help control blood sugar levels, especially unripe plantains. The trees on which plantains grow vary between 12 feet to 25 feet. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. They are high in vitamin B6, which is beneficial to the heart and mind. In fact, plantains can be a great boost to your diet. When green, plantains are bland and starchy, much like a yuca root or potato. Plantain Chips are a crunchy and savory snack. You still want to be careful not to cut the flesh of the plantain. Medium ripe plantains are yellow or yellow dappled with black, and they are slightly sweet. Bullet calibers are identified two ways: by fractions of an inch or in millimeters. They can also be enjoyed cooked when ripe, often in desserts. They definitely arent a keto-friendly food. Plantains: The Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits One of the most important rules of plantain tree care is not to let them dry out, these are trees that crave moist soil as well as regular watering, particularly during hot, dry weather. Long story short: Plantains can make you feel better from the inside out. This type of plantain is resistant to black Sigatoka, which is a serious disease that causes leaf spots. How Many Different Types Of Plantains Are There? Plantain plants can grow up to 25 feet tall, and the large, attractive leaves reach up to 2 feet wide and 9 feet long. Antioxidants are also included, which help in fighting free radicals. Horn plantain bunches are smaller than French, and have fewer fruits. 3 According to the USDA, a cup of plantains provides 12.5 milligrams of vitamin C, which is about 15% of your daily recommended intake. Plantains are generally more starchy and a bit drier than normal household bananas. All rights reserved. In the supermarket, you might have seen what you thought to be large firm bananas. While a plantain is a fruit, it is more often eaten cooked like a vegetable. This may help reduce blood sugar increases in some people, especially compared to more refined, processed foods that dont have fiber (12). The only major difference between plantains and bananas is that the carbs in plantains come from starch whereas the carbs in bananas come from sugar. They are both firm and drier when not ripe. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. There are many different ways to use the plantain, and certain regions prepare specific dishes with plantains. Green plantains are also commonly sliced thinly and fried to make plantain chips. It is maintained by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador as a provincial heritage site. Plantains contain a good amount of your daily recommended amount of vitamin C in a single cup. Believed to be native to Southeast Asia, plantains are grown in tropical regions around the world and in a variety of cuisines. They can also be found in the cuisine of African countries such as Ghana and Nigeria. The majority of fruits are 2-3 times longer than they are wide. Both types grow in India, Africa, Egypt, and tropical America. Plantains and bananas both come from the same plant family. The outer skin is green, tough, and difficult to peel when unripe. Plantain Herb: Foraging and Using Plantago Species Bananas are a staple in many household fruit baskets. Serve them seasoned with salt, pepper, and a pat of butter. Plantains are starchier than bananas and not very sweet when green.. Which state is the largest producer of plantain in Nigeria? Just one cup of plantain provides 17 percent of a persons daily required vitamin B6 intake. Magnesium has been linked to diabetes prevention since it helps with the breakdown of glucose (sugar) in the body. The pulp is salmon-pink in color. Plantains are an excellent option for gluten-free or paleo-friendly recipes, like paleo pancakes. Plantain Nutritional Facts One cup (approximately 148 grams) raw plantain contains roughly the following: 181 calories 47.2 grams carbohydrates 1.9 grams protein 0.5 grams fat 3.4 grams fiber 27.2 milligrams vitamin C (45 percent DV) 1,668 international vitamin A (33 percent) 0.4 milligram vitamin B6 (22 percent) And for good reason. However, unlike some other starchy fruits grown in tropical areas, theres no danger in eating raw plantain. Plantains are often bigger, harder, and have thicker skin than bananas. In Philippine cuisine, it is one of the most important banana kinds. Why is fiber important? Another thing to note is that one plantain does not equal one cup of plantain. Both fruits contain high levels of potassium, a mineral many people dont get enough of. Another name for the French plantain is Hambra. Its giant leaves wrap around its trunk and its purple bud-like flowers are produced from the pseudostem and develop into a cluster of hanging fruit. You can leave them on the counter, and they will ripen. That could be one of the main reasons it is being used in many commercial smoking cessation products. Are you intrigued by the many different ways to prepare them? Plantains contain roughly 32 grams of carbs per 100-gram serving, while bananas contain about 23 grams. Red bananas are a subgroup of bananas from Southeast Asia with red skin and a sweet flavor. Plantains are a carb-rich food and a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Pisang Tanduk bananas are long and curved, with a diameter of around 5-8 centimetres. Plantain is a source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, B6 and magnesium and potassium. Broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) can be used to make an salve that takes the itch off of mosquito bites. In Venezuela and Colombia, they are called patacones. Something plain. Bananas from the Rhino Horn family can be eaten either raw or cooked. Of course, the weight doesn't include the peel. In traditional villages of northeast Africa, theyre fermented with sorghum and distilled into banana beers.. They can be thinly sliced and fried to create plantain chips at this stage. Mulching can help keep the soil from drying out too quickly, as well as protect the plantain tree's shallow roots. Their most noticeable feature are the parallel veins that run vertically along the leaves, that is, from stem to tip. Plantains are more common in dishes in Central and South America and the Caribbean.