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Lady Finger Bananas
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Description/Taste
Lady Finger bananas grow on tall, slender trees that can reach anywhere from 5 to 25 feet in height. They are thinner than the more common cavendish bananas and have a cigar-like shape. They grow up to 5 inches long and are roughly half an inch in diameter. Lady Finger bananas have thin, bright yellow skins that will develop dark flecks when fully ripe. The fruit has a creamy consistency, with a sweeter flavor than common bananas.
Seasons/Availability
Lady Finger bananas are available year-round in tropical or semi-tropical regions.
Current Facts
Lady Finger bananas are a popular South Pacific variety of Musa acuminata. They are often grown as an ornamental in its dwarf state, but can grow up to 25 feet tall when planted in the soil and properly fertilized. Lady Finger bananas are the second most popular bananas in Australia, next to the cavendish. One unique characteristic of the Lady Finger banana is that it doesn’t turn brown when cut, making it a good choice for fresh applications. Lady Finger bananas are also known as Sugar bananas, Date or Fig bananas and Finger bananas.
Nutritional Value
Lady Finger bananas are high in potassium, and dietary fiber. They are also full of good pre-biotic bacteria which is good for gut health. Lady Finger bananas are also rich in vitamins C and B5, with lesser quantities of vitamins A, E and K. Bananas are also high in minerals such as manganese, magnesium, calcium and zinc. Bananas are also very low on the glycemic scale and are ideal for those on a diabetic diet.
Applications
Lady Finger bananas are good for fresh eating, as well as adding to baked goods or smoothies. The thin fruits do not oxidize as quickly as the more common banana, so they are perfect for fruit salads. If Lady Finger bananas are slightly overripe, they are ideal for a loaf of banana bread. Use Lady Finger bananas for a creamy banana pudding, or use them in bananas foster. Bananas will keep on the counter for up to a week. To preserve, peel the banana and freeze or puree and freeze for up to three months.
Geography/History
Lady Finger bananas are native to Australia and Southeast Asia. The plants are not actually trees, they are perennial herbs. Leaf stalks grow straight up from the soil and new leaves emerge from the center. Lady Finger bananas have fuchsia flowers that bloom before making way for the fruit. There are two cultivars of Lady Finger banana, both a regular variety as well as a dwarf variety, which can be kept indoors in areas that are too cold. Lady Finger bananas are propagated by dividing the rhizomes, or underground stems of the plant and replanting. Lady Finger bananas are more common in tropical areas, like the Southeast Asian countries of Taiwan and Indonesia, as well as Australia.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Lady Finger Bananas. One
is easiest, three is harder.Podcast
