Banana
Also called plantain
Bananas are naturally sweet, filled with fructose, and ideal for eating fresh or baking.
Flavor profile
Aroma: sweet, fruity
Good to know
Origin: Southeast Asia
Forms: fresh, dried, pureed
Storage: Store bananas at room temperature to ripen, or place in the refrigerator when ripe to extend their life.
How to use banana
Speedy Ripening
Ethylene gas trapped in a brown bag hastens banana ripening, increasing sugar levels.
Bake with Bananas
Overripe bananas are perfect for baking, adding moisture with their simple sugars.
What goes with banana
- Cinnamon. Cinnamon's warm spice complements banana's sweet, estery aroma.
- Cocoa. Banana's fruity sweetness softens cocoa's bitterness, as in banana chocolate bread.
- Oats. Mashed banana sweetens and binds oats, which add toasty chew.
- Peanut. Peanut's salty, roasted richness balances banana's soft sweetness.
- Vanilla. Vanilla's creamy sweetness rounds banana's fruity esters.
- Walnut. Bitter, tannic walnut balances banana's sweetness in baked goods.
- Yogurt. Yogurt's tangy acidity cuts through banana's sweetness, lightening the palate.
- Bacon. Salty bacon against banana's soft sweetness is a diner novelty, not a classic.
- Kimchi. Sweet banana and sour, garlicky kimchi share no common ground.
- Nutritional Yeast. Sweet banana does not suit nutritional yeast's savory, cheesy flavor.
Mistakes to avoid
- Refrigerating green bananas halts amylase, keeping them tough and starchy.
- Peeling too soon reveals starches not yet turned to sugar.
Ideas for tonight
- Slice onto cereal for a sweet breakfast.
- Blend into a banana shake with milk.
- Use in banana bread batter for moisture.
Banana: questions
What does banana taste like?
Bananas are naturally sweet, filled with fructose, and ideal for eating fresh or baking. Its strongest notes are sweet, with an aroma that is sweet, fruity.
What goes well with banana?
Banana pairs best with cinnamon, cocoa, oats, peanut, vanilla. Cinnamon's warm spice complements banana's sweet, estery aroma.
How do you use banana in cooking?
Speedy Ripening: ethylene gas trapped in a brown bag hastens banana ripening, increasing sugar levels.
How should you store banana?
Store bananas at room temperature to ripen, or place in the refrigerator when ripe to extend their life.
What is the most common mistake with banana?
Refrigerating green bananas halts amylase, keeping them tough and starchy.
