A RARE VARIETY OF BANANA: THE BLUE JAVA BANANA : ERAKINA
We have been introduced to bananas since childhood and there is no going back and I am sure no one would deny this. This sweet, starchy fruit which is available to us the whole year holds a firm position in our fruit basket. It is one of the most essential food items in our diet and that is because of the nutrients and health benefits it provides to our body. We consume bananas in both raw and ripened form. The raw banana is green in color and is consumed as a vegetable and the ripened banana is yellow in color and is consumed as a fruit. But have you ever heard of blue bananas that taste exactly like vanilla? Yes,there is a new variety of banana called blue java bananas which actually tastes like vanilla ice cream according to a person named Tham Khai Meng who tweeted about them. He said ” How come nobody told me about Blue Java Bananas. Incredible taste just like ice cream”. After his tweet the blue java bananas became talk of the town. In further sections we will be discussing blue java bananas in detail.
WHAT IS BLUE JAVA BANANA?
A new variety of banana is in the market which are blue in color and have a creamy texture. They are known as Blue Java Bananas. Blue Java, also known from other names such as Ice cream bananas, Hawaiian banana, Ney Mannan and Cenizo. It is a hardy, cold tolerant banana cultivar known for its sweet aromatic fruit, which is said to have ice cream like consistency and the flavor which reminds of vanilla. They are not Cavendish bananas that can be found in grocery shops easily. They are mainly found in Southeast Asia and are a hybrid of two species of banana which are also a native to Southeast Asia only, they are Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminnata .
The banana gets its name from the blue – green skin when it is unripe and when it ripens it turns into pale yellow colour. In comparison to other bananas the blue bananas are longer and are more plump in appearance with white flesh and small black seeds which can be eaten raw and cooked.
WHY BLUE JAVA BANANAS ARE KNOWN AS ICE CREAM BANANAS
Blue Java Bananas are also known as ice cream bananas. The reason behind this is that there are some natural compounds that are present in their flesh. The blue java bananas have an interesting flavour that are frequently compared to that of vanilla ice cream and vanilla pudding and custard. They get their creamy texture from their soft creamy flesh that resembles vanilla ice cream.
Due to their unique taste and consistency, blue java bananas are often used in smoothies, and they are added to deserts. These bananas are an excellent substitute for regular ice cream. They can be swapped in for regular bananas to make a natural, low – calorie ” nice cream”.
NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF THE BLUE JAVA BANANA
Blue Java Bananas are a type of banana cultivar, so that is why they have a very similar nutrient profile to other varieties of bananas. Just like any other banana, the blue bananas also are a great source of fiber, manganese, and vitamins B6 and C. Blue Java bananas also provide some amounts of iron, phosphorus, thiamine and selenium.
However, the nutrition information of blue java bananas are not available. So we do not have any information about their nutritional value.
ADVANTAGES OF THE BLUE JAVA BANANA
There are many health benefits that adding blue Java bananas can offer if we add it in our diet. The following advantages are:
- HELPS IN WEIGHT LOSS: With 105 calories per serving blue java bananas are an excellent low – calorie substitute to sweet treats like ice cream, pudding and custard. They contain fiber which helps to promote the feeling of fulfilment to keep you satisfied between meals. According to studies, increasing your intake of high fiber foods can benefit weight control.
- HELPS IN DIGESTION: In addition to boosting weight loss, the fiber in blue java bananas may have a powerful effect in digestive health. Research shows that fiber also treats several digestive disorders including hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers and gastroesophageal reflux diseases ( GERD).
- RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS: Blue java bananas are loaded with antioxidants, which are powerful compounds that can protect against cell damage. Antioxidant compounds in bananas include gallic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, and dopamine. Antioxidants are also thought to play a key role in disease prevention and may help protect against chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes and certain cancer.
DRAWBACKS OF BLUE JAVA BANANAS
If consumed in moderation, the blue java bananas are safe and healthy in addition to a healthy diet. In comparison with other fruits bananas have more carbohydrates and have relatively low glycemic index. Glycemic index measures how much certain food items can raise food sugar level. That is why the people who are suffering with type 2 diabetes should be aware of their consumption and monitor their blood sugar level which can be increased by eating food items rich in carbohydrates, which also include blue java bananas and can cause an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive to latex. According to the sources, 30 – 50% of people with latex allergies are sensitive to certain plant products including bananas. So if you are suffering from any type of allergy, be careful before trying this new type of banana.
DIFFERENT WAYS OF USING BLUE JAVA BANANAS IN YOUR DIET
Blue Java Bananas can be added in different ways. One of the most popular ways is to make ice cream and other desserts such as pudding, pancakes, banana bread, cupcakes etc. where you can replace regular bananas with the blue java bananas. You can add blue Java bananas in your daily smoothies or can be added in your oatmeal, yogurt or cereal. So, why not start adding blue java bananas in your food item to make them delicious.
SUM UP…
Recently a new and rare variety of banana is the talk of the town, which is known as blue java bananas. What attracts people more is that it does not taste like regular bananas, it actually tastes like vanilla ice cream, according to a person on Twitter named Tham Khai Meng.
Tham Khai Meng who is a former Global Chief Creative Officer at Ogilvy took his Twitter handle to share this information . He also shared the picture also. After his tweet the blue java bananas took place all over the internet. Blue bananas can be a substitute in place of regular bananas which can be added in many food items. So what are you people waiting for? Why not try it as soon as possible and add this ingredient in your desert to give it a new touch.
-by Aayushi Dhasmana
Content Writer(Erakina by RTMN)
November 19, 2021
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