




Banana Leaves
Inventory, ea : 0
This item was last sold on : 01/20/23
Food Buzz: History of Bananas |
Description/Taste
Banana leaves are large, wide, elongated, and slightly rounded, averaging two meters in length, a half a meter in width, and 8-12 leaves per tree. The surface of the leaves are waxy, flexible, and glossy, and range in color from lime, olive green, to dark green. There is a central midrib that runs the length of the leaf and two laminas, or leaf halves are found on either side of the midrib. The leaves do not have branching veins, and this makes them vulnerable to tearing easily. Banana plants also have a pseudostem, which is a false stem that looks like a trunk but is multiple fleshy leaf sheaths that are tightly overlapped. Banana leaves have a grassy and sweet, green flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Banana leaves are available year-round.
Current Facts
Banana leaves, botanically classified as Musa acuminate, grow on a perennial herbal shrub that resembles a tree but is classified as a plant. There are many varieties of Banana plants growing in tropical regions, and some can grow up to 7-8 meters tall. Bananas are believed to have been one of the world’s first cultivated fruits, and the leaves have become a popular cooking tool. Banana leaves are not typically consumed but are used as a waterproof wrapper to cook food and add flavor. In addition to cooking, they are also used as plate liners, cups, bowls, and as a writing tablet.
Nutritional Value
Banana leaves contain polyphenols, which are natural antioxidants. Some of these polyphenols are also found in green tea.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In addition to culinary uses, Banana leaves have also been used in the Buddhist and Hindu religion as decorations and as bowls, plates, and offerings in special religious celebrations such as marriage ceremonies. They are also used in India and the Philippines to construct fences and thatched roofs and have even been used as umbrellas.
Geography/History
Banana trees are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia between 8,000-5,000 BCE, were then spread to the new world via explorers, and became commercially cultivated in the late 1880s. Today Banana leaves are widely available in specialty markets and on online retailers across the world including Asia, Southeast Asia, Central Africa, Latin America, Europe, Australia, the United States, and the Caribbean.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Seneca Bar | San Diego CA | 619-588-2411 |
Kettner Exchange Bar | San Diego CA | 909-915-9877 |
La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
Mothership | San Diego CA | 858-342-3609 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Banana Leaves. One

eCurry |
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Spicy Oyster Mushroom in Banana Leaves |
Recently Shared
People have shared Banana Leaves using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Mercato Pavillion
Near Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia168 Jalan Bukit Bintang 55100 Kuala Lumpur KL 6-032-143-0066 About 228 days ago, 6/22/22 ![]() ![]()
Tekka Center
Near Singapore, Singapore665 Buffalo Rd, Singapore 210665 86866913 About 233 days ago, 6/17/22 ![]() About 402 days ago, 12/29/21 Sharer's comments : daun pisang ![]() About 425 days ago, 12/06/21 Sharer's comments : banana leaves ![]() ![]() About 493 days ago, 9/30/21 |