Ducasse Bananas
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Ducasse bananas grow in large bunches, and each fruit is generally small to medium in size, averaging 7 to 9 centimeters in length. The varietal has a slightly curved, oblong shape, tapering on the non-stem end to a blunt, narrow tip. The peel features angular faces with defined ridges and is smooth, rubbery, thin, and taut. It ripens from green to golden yellow hues. With maturity, the peel may also develop dark brown spots and marks. Underneath the peel, the cream-colored or ivory flesh is firm and starchy, encasing a few tiny, undeveloped seeds that are unnoticeable when eaten. When ripe, the flesh is also moist, dense, soft, and chewy. One noteworthy characteristic of the variety is the angular-faced peel versus the rounded flesh. The flesh is circular when sliced in half and has softly defined edges. Ducasse bananas are edible raw when ripe and have a rich, sweet, and subtly fruity flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Ducasse bananas are available year-round in Australia.
Current Facts
Ducasse bananas, botanically classified as Musa acuminata x balbisiana, are a Southeast Asian variety belonging to the Musaceae family. The name Ducasse is a commercial label for a Thai banana sold in Australia. The variety is an ABB cultivar, meaning it is a hybrid fruit obtaining two sets of chromosomes from its Musa balbisiana parent and three sets of chromosomes from its Musa acuminata parent. Ducasse bananas grow on plants reaching 3 to 5 meters in height and are favored for their cold tolerance and productive nature. Worldwide, Ducasse bananas are known under many regional names, including Thai banana, Sugar banana, Pisang Awak in Malaysia, Kluai Nam Wa in Thailand, Chuoi Tay in Vietnam, Katali in the Philippines, and Pisang Klotok in Indonesia. The variety is one of the most commercially grown in Southeast Asia, but in Australia, it is considered a smaller commercial cultivar compared to the dominant production of Cavendish bananas. Despite its lower production, Ducasse bananas are favored by consumers in Australia for their ability to store well and their rich, sweet flavor. Ducasse bananas are a versatile variety popularly incorporated into a wide array of fresh or cooked culinary preparations.
Nutritional Value
Ducasse bananas have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Bananas, in general, are a source of potassium, magnesium, folate, vitamin C, phosphorus, and fiber. Potassium helps the body balance fluid levels and replenishes lost electrolytes. Magnesium assists in controlling muscle and nerve functions, folate helps grow tissues, while vitamin C strengthens the immune system and contributes to collagen production. Phosphorus supports bones and teeth and also helps produce adenosine triphosphate, which is energy for the cells, and fiber regulates the digestive tract.
Applications
Ducasse bananas have a rich, sweet flavor suited for fresh and cooked preparations. Once ripe, the variety can be eaten out of hand and is favored as a stand-alone snack. It can also be served with nut butter or sliced over toast. In Australia, Ducasse bananas are regarded as an everyday cultivar that can be used in preparations calling generally for bananas. The variety can also be sliced as an edible garnish or topping, blended into smoothies and shakes, or mixed into fruit medleys. In addition to fresh preparations, Ducasse bananas are commonly cooked into pancakes, fried into fritters, or caramelized as a decadent topping over desserts. Bananas can be mashed into batters, baked into bread, added to puddings, or fried and sprinkled in sugar as a sweet treat. They can also be dried into strips or fried into crispy chips. In Southeast Asia, Ducasse bananas are cooked in coconut milk and used as a central ingredient in cooked desserts. Banana blossoms are also seasonally eaten as a vegetable in soups and curries, and the leaves are used as a wrap to steam food. Ducasse bananas pair well with cinnamon, caramel, chocolate, passion fruit, mango, blueberries, strawberries, and hazelnuts. Whole, unopened Ducasse bananas can be ripened at room temperature. Once mature, consuming the variety at the desired degree of ripeness is recommended, and the fruits will keep for around 2 to 7 days. Placing ripe fruits in the refrigerator will help extend their shelf life for a few days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Ducasse bananas are notably cultivated in New South Wales, a state in southeastern Australia. New South Wales was the first region within Australia to commercially grow bananas, and the Coffs Harbour region is famous for banana production, events, and attractions. The first banana plantation was established in Coffs Harbour in the late 19th century, and by the 1930s and 40s, banana cultivation became one of the region’s most important commercial crops. Around the same time as cultivation was increasing, bananas were featured in the Coffs Harbour Agricultural Show and were a part of their own annual competition known as the Banana Cup. The event was established in 1929 and is comprised of multiple judged events tied into all aspects of banana cultivation. In 2015, Ducasse bananas were the preferred variety based on taste and overall flavor among participants attending the Banana Cup. Beyond the Coffs Harbour Agricultural Show, a larger-than-life banana statue was erected in 1964 by Mr. John Landi. The statue was named The Big Banana and extends over thirteen meters in length, five meters in height, and a little over two meters in diameter. Mr. Landi constructed The Big Banana in partnership with the Banana Growers’ Federation, and a local engineer, Alan Chapman, designed the structure by slicing a perfectly shaped banana into forty pieces as a template for the structure. The structure's purpose was to attract tourist attention and encourage visitors to stop and take photos of the banana. The giant banana also sat in front of banana orchards, and a nearby rest stop served banana milkshakes as a part of Mr. Landi’s dream to create a well-rounded attraction. After The Big Banana was built, the structure attracted over 2,000 people per day for several weeks and The Big Banana has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in New South Wales. In the modern day, the attraction also features a water park, ice rink, gift shop, theater, and a museum.
Geography/History
Ducasse bananas are native to Thailand and have been growing wild since ancient times. The variety was developed from a natural cross between Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana and is thought to have come from a region within the Wa River Basin in northern Thailand. In Thailand, Ducasse bananas are called Kluai Nam Wa, and over time, the variety has spread into other Southeast Asian countries, becoming a popular commercial cultivar under different regional names. Bananas were first planted in Australia in the late 19th century, and sometime after, Kluai Nam Wa bananas were introduced under the name Ducasse. The first commercial orchards were established in New South Wales, and as production increased in the late 20th century, Ducasse bananas were planted throughout the major Australian states. Today, Ducasse bananas are cultivated in tropical to subtropical climates throughout Australia. Queensland produces almost all of the current commercial bananas in the modern day, followed by smaller quantities grown in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and Western Australia. Ducasse bananas are also cultivated in New Zealand and grown under other commercial names in Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean.
