What is the difference between bananas and plantains?

Mondo Gastronomy Updated on 2024-01-31

Both bananas and plantain belong to the plantain family Plantae, but there are some differences in morphology, use, and taste.

First of all, bananas and plantain have different forms. The fruit of bananas is curved and crescent-shaped, usually with a blue-green skin and yellow flesh, and has a soft and sweet taste. The fruit of the plantain is short and thick in shape, usually has a green or yellow-green skin, and the flesh is slightly sour and the taste is not as sweet as that of a banana.

Secondly, bananas and plantain are used differently. Bananas are mostly used for food and are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can be eaten directly or processed into various foods such as banana bread, banana milk, etc. In addition to a small amount of food, plantain is mainly used for medicinal purposes, with the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, diuresis and swelling, etc., and can be used for colds, coughs, hypertension and other diseases.

In addition, bananas and plantain grow in different environments. Bananas prefer warm and humid environments and are suitable for growing in tropical and **zone regions, while plantain is adapted to temperate and cold climates and is more cold-tolerant.

In conclusion, although bananas and plantains are both plantainous plants, there are obvious differences in morphology, use, and growing environment. In daily life, we can identify bananas and plantains by observing the characteristics of the fruits, such as their appearance, taste, and growing environment, and make reasonable edible and medicinal uses according to their characteristics and uses.

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