It’s easy to think that plantains and bananas as interchangeable for cooking and snacking purposes. But that’s not the case. Although they look similar, plantains and bananas differ in terms of taste, texture, and size.

With good care, adequate watering, regular manuring, and proper management practices, bananas mature in 8 to 12 months and continue to produce throughout the season. A bunch ripens in 1 or 10 days. You can grow varieties like Giant Cavendish, Kisii matoke, Uganda green, Giant Naine, Muraru, Fhia, and N'gombe. 

Plantain Banana vs. Banana: What’s the Difference?

If you look at both, you may think they are similar, but at a closer look, you will see they have noticeable differences. For instance, they differ in terms of flavor, size, texture, and performance. Plantains tend to be larger than bananas and can be eaten ripe or unripe. As for bananas, some cultivars are best for cooking, while others are best when ripe.

Plantains vs bananas: taste and size

The colors of plantains and bananas indicate their taste when ripe, and they both taste sweet when they ripen and bland when green. However, raw bananas, like the Kikuyu variety, have a higher natural sugar content and a sweeter taste than ripened plantain. On the other hand, plantains are sweeter when cooked than bananas.

In terms of size, plantains are typically longer and heavier than bananas, with more plantains in each bunch.

Plantains vs bananas: nutrition

Neither of the two is superior in terms of nutrition, as both have a high nutrition content. Plantains are starchy with less sugar content, while bananas have a higher sugar content. Since the starch in plantains is rich in nutrients, you can eat more plantains when cooked properly than bananas.

Both are used in savory dishes, although bananas are cooked in recipes that call for more sugar. Besides, bananas can be used in fruit salads. They have complex carbohydrates, with most of the plantains coming from starch while that of bananas comes from sugar.  In addition, the two are good sources of fiber.

Plantains and bananas contain vital nutrients like vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, antioxidant compounds, and fiber. Also, they are a rich source of complex carbohydrates and contain a similar number of calories.

Plantain vs Banana: Flavor, Texture, and Use

Bananas can be eaten raw or cooked. On the other hand, at any stage of ripeness, plantains need to be cooked. Plantains are starchier and have a mild flavor, while bananas are softer and creamier.

Whether they are green or yellow, plantains are mainly used in savory dishes or as an accompaniment to savory food. Bananas can be eaten raw, cooked, or incorporated into dessert.

How to Know When They’re Ripe

Once mature, plantains can be eaten at any stage of ripening. As for bananas, some turn yellow when ripe, while others remain green. However, they both display similar stages of ripeness.

When unripe, most bananas are greenish-yellow. When they are ripe, they turn yellow and have a few black spots. They soften more as they ripen.

As for plantains, they are green and firm when unripe. Like bananas, they turn yellow and have many black spots around the peel. 

Where Should You Get Your Banana and Plantain Suckers?

It can be frustrating to purchase suckers only for them to take forever to mature and, in the end, produce tiny bananas or plantains. 

At Frutunda, quality is in our DNA. We offer certified,  high-quality plantain suckers and banana suckers, as well as a plantain or banana farming package to help you get started.

Contact us today and master the art of banana and plantain farming.

Text / Call 0769623300
Whatsapp https://wa.me/c/254769623300