can plantain be classified as fruit

While their nutritional content is similar, plantains are more starchy and contain less sugar than bananas. You can use plantains in more savory dishes.

Bananas are a staple in many household fruit baskets. Plantains, though, are not as well known.

However, if you were to substitute a plantain for a banana in a recipe, you may be surprised by its very different taste.

This article will review the similarities and differences between bananas and plantains, including some of their most common culinary uses.

Bananas and plantains are similar, but they have a few key differences in flavor and usage.

“Banana” is a term used for the edible fruits produced by various large, herbaceous plants in the genus Musa. Botanically speaking, bananas are a type of berry (1).

Bananas are originally from Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia. Bananas typically have a long, slender shape and are covered by a thick skin.

Many different kinds of bananas exist. However, in Western cultures, the term “banana” usually refers to the sweet, yellow variety.

As the banana ripens, the skin changes to bright yellow, followed by a dark brown. It also becomes progressively easier to peel.

Bananas can be eaten raw, and their edible flesh becomes sweeter, darker, and softer as it ripens. They can also be enjoyed cooked when ripe, often in desserts. When green, they can be boiled and mashed and eaten as you would mashed potatoes.

Like bananas, plantains are originally from Southeast Asia. However, they are now grown all over the world, including in India, Egypt, Indonesia, and tropical regions of the Americas.

Plantains are usually larger and tougher than bananas, with much thicker skin. They may be green, yellow, or very dark brown.

Plantains are starchier than bananas and not very sweet when green. When ripe, they are sweeter and become more so when cooked. Plantains can be boiled, baked, or fried.

Aside from their botanical classifications, one of the most obvious similarities between plantains and bananas is their appearance.

But their commonalities don’t end there. In fact, they share some nutritional and health-promoting qualities too.

Plantains (plátanos in Spanish) look like large bananas. They are technically fruits, but much like the tomato and unlike the banana, they are eaten and cooked as if they were a vegetable. Harder to peel (especially when green) than bananas, plantains cannot be eaten raw.

They’re both very nutritious

Both plantains and bananas are a good source of several vital nutrients, including potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidant compounds (2, 3, 4).

Below is nutritional info for 100 grams (roughly 1/2 cup) of bananas and plantains:

They are both healthy sources of complex carbohydrates. Plantains contain roughly 32 grams of carbs per 100-gram serving, while bananas contain about 23 grams. However, this amount can vary, depending on the ripeness of the fruit (2, 3, 4).

The main difference is that more of the carbs in bananas come from sugars, whereas more of the carbs in plantains are from starch.

They contain a similar number of calories: 89–122 calories per 100-gram serving. Neither is a significant source of fat or protein (2, 3).

2 Very Similar Fruits With Different Results For Diabetics!

FAQ

Is A plantain A berry or a fruit?

What category is a plantain in?

Are plantains fruit or starch?

Are plantains technically bananas?

Is a plantain a banana?

A plantain to the untrained eye could easily be mistaken for a banana. In fact, it belongs to Musaceae, the banana family of plants, and it’s closely related to the common banana. Believed to be native to Southeast Asia, plantains are grown in tropical regions around the world and in a variety of cuisines.

What is a plantain fruit?

A tropical food commonly confused with its smaller, sweeter cousin (the banana you know and love), the plantain has charm and versatility all its own. The fruit works well in both sweet and savory dishes, and boy is it delicious.

Are plantain bananas edible?

plantain, major group of banana varieties (genus Musa) that are staple foods in many tropical areas. The edible fruit of plantain bananas has more starch than the common dessert banana and is not eaten raw. Because plantains have the most starch before they ripen, they are usually cooked green, either boiled or fried, in savory dishes.

Where can I buy fresh plantains?

Fresh plantains are widely available, including throughout the U.S. They can usually be found in the produce section of your local supermarket. Sold by the pound in bunches, you will pay a little more for plantains than bananas. Also like bananas, the tropical fruit does not have a strict season, so they’re available year-round.