Introduction to Bananas

Bananas are not just popular fruits but also berry species. Originating from Southeast Asia, they are essential crops in many tropical regions, serving both nutritional and cultural roles.

Modern bananas stem from two wild species, Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. These ancestors have given rise to the varieties we enjoy today through selective breeding.

Beyond their sweetness, bananas are rich in vitamins C and B6, fiber, and potassium—a vital mineral for heart health and blood pressure regulation.

Ethylene, a natural plant hormone released by bananas, accelerates ripening. This gas can ripen other fruits, which is why bananas are often stored separately.

The 'Gros Michel' was nearly wiped out by a fungal disease in the 1950s. Today's popular 'Cavendish' bananas are also threatened by a similar disease, risking global supply.

Bananas contain potassium-40, a naturally occurring radioactive isotope. While they're radioactive, they pose no health risk and serve as a unit to measure radiation exposure—the 'banana equivalent dose'.

As the world's most exported fruit, bananas hold significant economic weight. Culturally, they appear in art, literature, and even feature in religious ceremonies in some countries.

Banana plants can walk! They grow new shoots from the base, allowing them to move up to 40 cm over their lifetime.