Are there other fruits similar to bananas?
There are a number of fruits similar to bananas. Plantains are so similar to bananas that they are often mistaken for them. Unlike bananas, plantains are very low in sugar and have a starchy taste.
What is another name for a banana?
For other uses, see Banana (disambiguation). A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called “plantains”, distinguishing them from dessert bananas.
What is the best banana substitute?
Many people seek out banana substitutes that offer a similar consistency and flavor, and also those fruits that provide a similar quality. When it comes to substitutes, some of the best include plantain, , monstera, and pawpaw fruit. Perhaps the most obvious replacement for banana would be , which has a very similar background as bananas.
What is the difference between banana and plantain?
Plantain. They both come from the same genus ( Musa) and have a very similar appearance, although their flavors are distinctly different. Plantains are higher in their starch content, and therefore don’t have as much sweetness as bananas, but once these substitutes begin to ripen, their consistency is very similar to bananas,…
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See 3 key topics from this page & related content
What fruit can I substitute for bananas?
Mango is one of the most common substitutes for bananas in smoothies. It has a pretty mild flavor. Because it’s not as juicy as most fruits, mango is great at creating a creamy texture. Use about 1 cup of frozen mango to replace 1 banana.
What can I substitute for a banana in my diet?
Some of the best banana substitutes are plantains, avocado, applesauce, sweet potatoes, and eggs.Plantains.Avocado.Applesauce.Sweet Potatoes.Eggs.Oatmeal.Mango.Chia Seeds.More items…
What fruit has similar nutrients to a banana?
If you’re a banana hater looking for a substitute, kiwi is the perfect fruit for you. Other fruits that contain nutrients similar to bananas include cantaloupes and mangos.
What to replace bananas with in smoothies?
Need A Substitute for Banana in Smoothie? Here Are Some Yummy AlternativesCashews.Mangoes.Avocado.Cauliflower.Greek Yogurt.Beans.Cottage Cheese.Chia Seeds or Flaxseed.More items…•
What can I eat besides bananas for potassium?
Many fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in potassium:Bananas, oranges, cantaloupe, honeydew, apricots, grapefruit (some dried fruits, such as prunes, raisins, and dates, are also high in potassium)Cooked spinach.Cooked broccoli.Potatoes.Sweet potatoes.Mushrooms.Peas.Cucumbers.More items…•
How can I get enough potassium without a banana?
Here are 18 foods that pack more potassium than a banana.Avocados. Avocados are packed with healthy fats, vitamin K, and folate. … Sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are often used as an alternative to white potatoes. … Spinach. … Watermelon. … Coconut water. … Beans. … Legumes. … Tomato paste.More items…
What has the same texture as a banana?
Custard Apple. Much like the North American pawpaw fruit, the custard apple is a fruit that’s similar to banana in flavor and texture, rather than appearance.
Can you substitute eggs for bananas?
One mashed banana can replace one egg in cakes and pancakes. Since it will add a bit of flavor, make sure that it’s compatible with the other ingredients of the recipe.
Can I substitute yogurt for banana?
Greek yogurt is another great substitute for bananas, as it is almost the same consistency as mashed banana but is significantly lower in sugar. When using this substitute, you will need to use ½ cup of yogurt for 1 banana.
How much pumpkin replaces a banana?
My banana bread recipe calls for 2 medium bananas, that’s about 250g of banana. That’s 188g of water and about 30g sugar. If you add 250g of pumpkin instead that’s 230g of water and about 8g of sugar, so pumpkin would add 42g of water (42ml, a bit less than 1/4 cup), and take 22g of sugar.
Why is the word “fruit” used to describe bananas?
That’s also why the word “fruit” is used to qualify most fruits, including bananas — instead of the name of the subcategory under which they fall. Summary. Fruits were named thousands of years before botanists came up with an official classification.
What are the two main categories of fruits?
Fruits can be divided into two main categories: fleshy or dry ( 1 ). Dry fruits are foods we don’t typically think of as fruit, such as nuts, legumes and coconuts. On the other hand, fleshy fruits are the types we’re accustomed to — common fruits, such as apples, cherries and bananas.
What fruit is under the berry subcategory?
Bananas aren’t the only surprising fruit to fall under the berry subcategory.
What are botanical berries?
Summary. Tomatoes, grapes, kiwis, avocados, peppers, eggplants and guavas are some other fruits that fulfill the requirements to be considered botanical berries. Yet, like bananas, they’re seldom thought of as such.
What is a berry?
Berries are a subcategory of fruits, the sweet, fleshy, seed-holding structures of a flowering plant.
What is the meaning of the word “fruit”?
The word fruit is used to describe the sweet, fleshy, seed-holding structures of a flowering plant.
What are the three structures that surround the seeds of a fruit?
What’s more, a fruit’s seeds are surrounded by three main structures: Exocarp: The skin or outer part of the fruit. Mesocarp: The flesh or middle part of the fruit. Endocarp: The Inner part that encloses the seed or seeds. The main characteristics of these structures further contribute to the fruit’s classification ( 1 ).
How big are bananas?
One thing to keep in mind is how big the bananas are as some recipes will reference the size, as in “two small bananas,” for example. Small bananas are approximately 6 to 6 7/8 inches long, medium bananas are roughly 7 to 7 7/8 inches long, and large bananas are approximately 8 to 9 inches long.
How many cups of bananas are in a medium banana?
Whether you are making a fruit salad or a banana bread, these recipes may call for either whole bananas or the measurements in cups. Once you get a hang of the conversions, you will feel confident with any banana recipe down the road. 1 medium banana = 2/3 cup sliced bananas. 2 medium bananas = 1 cup diced bananas.
How to freeze bananas for smoothies?
Begin by peeling the bananas, and then cut each banana into slices that are about 3/4-inch thick. Spread the banana slices in a single layer on a cookie sheet; the slices should not touch. Freezing them this way means they won’t all clump together, and you’ll be able to remove only as many slices as you need.
What fruits can you eat out of the hand?
Bananas are among the most popular fruits for eating right out of the hand as well as incorporating into baked goods. Recipes call for sliced bananas, mashed bananas, diced bananas, and even whole bananas, so sometimes it’s difficult to know just how many bananas you need.
Can you substitute bananas for butter?
Bananas can also be a substitute for butter and oil in recipes. If using bananas for butter, replace in equal amounts. You can substitute 3/4 cup of mashed banana for 1 cup of oil in baked goods such as muffins, cakes, and bread, but you’ll need to use a low-gluten flour and reduce the baking time.
Can you make banana bread without bananas?
You can‘t make banana pudding or banana bread without bananas. However, if you don’t care for bananas, are allergic to them, or don’t have time to run to the store, there are some substitutions you can make for bananas in recipes. Applesauce (store-bought or homemade) can substitute for a banana in baked goods.
Can bananas be used as a substitute for eggs?
Bananas can be used as substitutes for other ingredients in baked goods. Vegans, in particular, are familiar with using bananas to substitute for eggs. One ripe banana replaces one egg in a cake recipe—the banana will flavor the cake, so only use them when they complement the other ingredients.
What is the genus of bananas?
This article is about bananas generally. For the genus to which banana plants belong, see Musa (genus). For starchier bananas used in cooking, see Cooking banana. For the most common commercial type, see Cavendish banana. For other uses, see Banana (disambiguation).
What is a banana plant?
Genus: Musa. Fruits of four different banana cultivars. A banana is an elongated, edible fruit – botanically a berry – produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. In some countries, bananas used for cooking may be called “plantains”, distinguishing them from dessert bananas.
How deep do bananas grow?
Bananas grow in a wide variety of soils, as long as the soil is at least 60 centimetres (2.0 ft) deep, has good drainage and is not compacted. The leaves of banana plants are composed of a “stalk” ( petiole) and a blade ( lamina ).
Why are banana trees tied in pairs?
In South Indian weddings, particularly Tamil weddings, banana trees are tied in pairs to form an arch as a blessing to the couple for a long-lasting, useful life.
Why are bananas encased in plastic bags?
Banana bunches are sometimes encased in plastic bags for protection. The bags may be coated with pesticides.
How big do banana leaves get?
Leaves are spirally arranged and may grow 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) long and 60 cm (2.0 ft) wide. They are easily torn by the wind, resulting in the familiar frond look. When a banana plant is mature, the corm stops producing new leaves and begins to form a flower spike or inflorescence.
How tall do banana plants grow?
Cultivated banana plants vary in height depending on the variety and growing conditions. Most are around 5 m (16 ft) tall, with a range from ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ plants at around 3 m (10 ft) to ‘Gros Michel’ at 7 m (23 ft) or more. Leaves are spirally arranged and may grow 2.7 metres (8.9 ft) long and 60 cm (2.0 ft) wide.
When was the banana equivalent dose discovered?
The origins of the concept are uncertain, but one early mention can be found on the RadSafe nuclear safety mailing list in 1995 , where Gary Mansfield of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory mentions that he has found the “banana equivalent dose” to be “very useful in attempting to explain infinitesimal doses (and corresponding infinitesimal risks) to members of the public”. A value of 9.82×10 −8 sieverts or about 0.1 microsieverts (10 μrem) was suggested for a 150-gram (5.3 oz) banana.
How much potassium is in a banana?
Using this factor, one banana equivalent dose comes out as about 5.02 nSv/Bq × 31 Bq/g × 0.5 g ≈ 78 nSv = 0.078 μSv. In informal publications, one often sees this estimate rounded up to 0.1 μSv. The International Commission on Radiological Protection estimates a coefficient of 6.2 nSv/Bq for the ingestion of potassium-40, with this datum the calculated BED would be 0.096 μSv, closer to the standard value of 0.1 μSv.
How much radiation does a banana emit?
The radiation exposure from consuming a banana is approximately 1% of the average daily exposure to radiation, which is 100 banana equivalent doses (BED). The maximum permitted radiation leakage for a nuclear power plant is equivalent to 2,500 BED (250 μSv) per year, while a chest CT scan delivers 70,000 BED (7 mSv). An acute lethal dose of radiation is approximately 35,000,000 BED (3.5 Sv, 350 rem). A person living 16 kilometres (10 mi) from the Three Mile Island nuclear reactor received an average of 800 BED of exposure to radiation during the 1979 Three Mile Island accident.
Why do bananas cause false alarms?
Although the amount in a single banana is small in environmental and medical terms, the radioactivity from a truckload of bananas is capable of causing a false alarm when passed through a Radiation Portal Monitor used to detect possible smuggling of nuclear material at U.S. ports.
How much carbon does a banana have?
Plants naturally contain radioactive carbon-14 ( 14 C), but in a banana containing 15 grams of carbon this would give off only about 3 to 5 low-energy beta rays per second. Since a typical banana contains about half a gram of potassium, it will have an activity of roughly 15 Bq.
What is the radioactive material in bananas?
A banana contains naturally occurring radioactive material in the form of potassium-40.
Is banana equivalent dose an approximate measure?
The banana equivalent dose is an informal measurement, so any equivalences are necessarily approximate, but it has been found useful by some as a way to inform the public about relative radiation risks.
