Banana About 0.2 Kg Each • $1.96 / Kg Final Cost By Weight

The banana is an elongated, edible fruit produced by several kinds of large, treelike herbaceous plants in the genus *Musa*. It's one of the most important fruit crops worldwide, valued for its flavor and year-round availability. Here are some key facts about bananas: ### **Characteristics** * **Botanical Classification:** Botanically, the banana fruit is a **berry**. The plant is actually a giant herb, not a tree, as its "trunk" is a *pseudostem* composed of tightly packed leaf sheaths. * **Appearance:** Typically elongated and curved, with soft, starchy flesh covered by a peel that can be green, yellow, or reddish-purple when ripe. Most commercial varieties are **seedless**. * **Types:** Bananas are broadly categorized into: * **Dessert Bananas:** Sweet and usually eaten raw (e.g., the most common type, **Cavendish**). * **Cooking Bananas (Plantains):** Starchy, lower in sugar, and typically cooked before eating (a staple food in many tropical regions). ### **Nutritional Information (for a medium ripe dessert banana)** A medium banana (around 110 calories) is a good source of: * **Potassium:** Vital for heart health, blood pressure regulation, and muscle function. * **Vitamin B6:** Important for metabolism, red blood cell production, and nervous system health. * **Vitamin C:** An antioxidant that supports the immune system. * **Dietary Fiber:** Aids in digestion and helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels. ### **Health Benefits** * **Heart Health:** The combination of high potassium and low sodium helps manage blood pressure and is associated with a lower risk of stroke. * **Digestive Health:** Contains both soluble and insoluble fiber, which promotes regular bowel movements. Unripe bananas contain **resistant starch**, which acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria. * **Energy and Recovery:** The natural sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose) make it a great source of quick energy, often favored by athletes for pre- or post-workout fuel due to its electrolyte content. ### **Popular Varieties (besides Cavendish and Plantain)** * **Lady Finger (or Baby Banana):** Smaller, sweeter, and with a creamy texture. * **Red Banana:** Has a reddish-purple peel and often a sweeter taste with a slight raspberry or mango undertone. * **Blue Java (or Ice Cream Banana):** Known for its creamy texture and a sweet flavor described as similar to vanilla ice cream.