Potassium is necessary for the heart, nerves, and muscles to operate properly. Plantains contain iron, vitamin C, vitamin B6, folate, potassium, magnesium, copper, and vitamin A. They also have thicker skin and contain significantly more starch. Long story short: Healthy amounts of carbs are a good thing, and plantains can be a quick and easy way to get them. When youre actually picking a plantain out of a bunch, however, youll need to look at its size to gauge its calorie count. Plantains pack a surprising amount of health benefits into a small green package! Both bananas and plantains are both very healthy fruits, but cooking method can play a role in either fruits effect on your health. Luckily, there are many delicious ways to prepare this versatile fruit. Youll need to add something to your plantains if you want to have a high-protein snack. Horn plantain bunches are smaller than French, and have fewer fruits. Let it grow on the parent plant for about six to eight months before removing it, and then start the new plant in a container until it's large enough to be transplanted outdoors. It aids in the digestion of carbohydrates and the production of protein. 7 Red Banana Benefits (And How They Differ From Yellow Ones), Parmesan Cheese: Nutrition, Benefits, and Uses. There are around 215 calories in one cup of plantain. Last but not least, since plantains are high in complex carbs, they can provide long-lasting energy for your workouts or daily life. French plantains yield big bunches with lots of fruits and horn plantain bunches are much smaller with fewer fruits. You cannot peel a plantain the say way that you peel a banana, especially not a green plantain. They dont have any of the oils, fats, salts or sugars of other prepared plantains, and you can enjoy them in many different ways. The interior flesh has a semi-firm texture and is yellow to cream in hue. (2018). That said, an indulgence of fried plantains every once in awhile isnt going to turn you into a balloon! Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. Plantains that are green to yellow are not ripe. There are mouthwatering plantain recipes from all over the world, but here are a few standouts: Plantains can also be served as street food and finger snacks with various toppings. We cover 22 nutritional elements and 16 facts regarding nutrition and general plantain facts. Dandelions. How many different types of plantain are there? Plantains are grown on trees. Each variety has subgroups based on size or growth style. 57 mg. Plantains are a poor source of protein and fat, so they only represent one part of a healthy, balanced diet similar to many grains in the United . Many plantains, however, are much larger than the common banana, so theyre easy to recognize. Endocrine Surgeon. The thick peel of the horn-shaped fruit is green when immature and yellow when ripe. On the other hand, heat and light can degrade vitamin C. As a result, while cooking plantains, use as little non-boiling water as possible and cook them for only a few minutes. Theyre big, tasty and accessible everywhere, and their high starch and low sugar content makes them an excellent addition to savory dishes as well as sweet ones. However, in order to peel green plantains, you will need to slice off both ends and then cut a slit in the peel from tip to tip. True plantains are divided into four groups based on their bunch type: French, French Horn, False Horn, and Horn plantains. Their starches have broken down and developed into sugars, making them very sweet and soft when cooked. Plantain Nutrition Chart: 23 Elements Compared. This is based on a weight of 0.5 lbs. She has over 16 years of experience writing for various outlets including Time Out NY and NJ Monthly. These are; the horn type, French type, false type and false horn type. Globally, plantains account for about 85% of all banana cultivation worldwide. It is much easier to determine if plantain is ripe than you might think. Its fruits are edible, and are generally used for cooking. The starchy plantain is generally treated as more of a potato, though, and it can be boiled or mashed, or eaten with salt. Many elements (like cholesterol, caffeine, theobromine) are assumed to be zero as they are not naturally occurring in this food. Potassium is abundant in plantains. The following is a list of banana cultivars and the groups into which they are classified. Plantain is the name of a large group of bananas that has upwards of 100 cultivars1 . It is caramelized dish that includes pieces of plantains that are cut on a bias and fried. Then, you want to score the skin of the plantain, being careful not to cut into the flesh. They communicate with patients to explain different treatment procedures and their risks and benefits. While a black banana will turn most stomachs, a black plantain is super sweet and ready for cooking. The Horn plantain contains true types and false types. This type is unique in the way that their fruits cannot be eaten after they are ripe. Most healthy adults can safely eat plantain weed's leaves either raw or cooked. One of the most important rules of plantain tree care is not to let them dry out, these are trees that crave moist soil as well as regular watering, particularly during hot, dry weather. A popular method of fixing plantains is to fry them. Plantains, unlike the common sweet banana, are usually cooked or processed in some way and not eaten raw. Youll want to consult your doctor, of course, if youre a diabetic who is carefully controlling their blood sugar. They work well in savory dishes, while bananas are easily used in desserts or on their own. The Pisang Tanduk plantains are best suited for applications such as frying, boiling, baking, and steaming. The Dwarf Iholena fruit grows in a compact, stocky bunch with short, wide leaves. Vitamin B6 is involved in a wide range of functions in the body. You can use plantains in more savory dishes. Both types of plantains are herbaceous, flowering plants with leaves that grow in a rosette formation. Plantains, the larger, more rustic cousin of the common Cavendish banana, are an integral ingredient in a variety of cuisines: Latin American, Caribbean, African, and Southeast Asian, just to name a few. There are two main varieties of plantain plants: horn and French. Plantains grow in tropical countries across the globe from Central and South America to the Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia. In fact, the more black spots on a yellow plantain, the more ripe and sweet it usually is. Last medically reviewed on November 29, 2021. Fruits are generally categorized as the edible portions of plants that develop from flowers and propagate through seeds. The good news, however, is that the plantain tree's rhizomes will survive in the ground at temperatures down to 22 degrees Fahrenheit. You can do just about anything with plantains. Place the plantain leaves in a wire strainer and lower them into a pot of boiling water. This tree isn't necessarily the easiest to grow. Rellenitos de Pltano is a favorite dish in Guatemala. They provide energy, and as they break down in the body, they become glucose and get absorbed into your blood. These chips are thinly sliced from green plantains and fried until they are crispy. It is made of boiled and mashed ripe plantains that are mixed with black beans that are sweetened. This list is just a handful of the amazing meals using plantains. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. The false horn type is the most widely distrib- uted because of its ability to tolerate poor soil conditions. Ripe plantains are sweet like a banana, without the banana flavor. Homestratosphere's Editorial Staff & Writers, 19 Different Types of Wood-Cutting Tools For Every Project, 24 Asian-Inspired Living Room Ideas Showcase the Richness of Cultural Fusion, 24 Beige Primary Bathroom Ideas Use Tonal Palette to Create Serene Oasis, 38 Different Types of Clamps to Tackle Any Project Imaginable, Unraveling 12 Different Types of Wire Fencing to Find the Right Fit for Your Project. Fortunately, plantains can also be found easily in supermarkets and grocery stores. Which country consumes the most plantains? Theyre also eaten raw by themselves, as part of a fruit salad, or as a dessert or porridge topping. The edges caramelize and become crispy like the edges of pancakes cooked in butter. If you can identify which plants are weeds, you can also learn how to control or eradicate these common garden weeds.However, you might not want to get rid of some attractive weeds; they can serve as a useful groundcover, they can be . Many different kinds of bananas exist. The flower stalks are 6-20" tall, and end in dense spikes of small flowers, with visible white stamens. Two groups of plantains are thought to have a common origin: the horn plantain and the French plantain. If you arent ready to use them when theyve reached the desired stage of ripeness, you can peel and freeze them for up to three months. Green and yellow plantains are often sliced and fried, a popular dish in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines. Their most noticeable feature are the parallel veins that run vertically along the leaves, that is, from stem to tip. I also blog about photography on Storyteller Tech. It takes about 10 days for a green plantain to be fully ripe and ready for sweet plantains. And Im a co-founder of Storyteller.Travel. Plantains are also cheap, tasty and highly versatile in the kitchen, so whether youre interested in sweet snacks or savory stews and meat dishes, theyre a must-have for your pantry! (Note: Many stores sell frozen varieties of baked and fried plantains too.). 2. Green plantains tend to have more of a root vegetableadjacent taste. Afterward, place the peeled fruit in salted water to keep it from discoloring before cooking. They are, in fact, plantains. You may even think that plantain has gone bad when really, it is ripe. When it is made, it is a dome shape that is served with pork skin, broth, vegetables, and meat. While they share the same genetic family as bananas, there are some striking differences. Green plantains are often used to make Latin American dishes like tostones or mofongo, as well as West African dishes like fufu. You want to do your best not to use your nails because the plantain can get nasty and stuck under your nails. Read more: How Are Plantains Different from Bananas? Something plain. How do you feel about peanut butter? Theyre hearty, flavorful, and grow in abundance in many countries of the world. How long does it take a plantain tree to bear fruit? When you fry them at this point, the sugar caramelizes and creates a crispy and sweet edge. Fiber also increases fullness, slows digestion, and may help manage cholesterol. Heat the leaves for 3-5 minutes, then remove them and plunge them into a bath of cold water to stop the cooking process. Some species are so notorious that they have their own names and distinctions, including the Rhino Horn Plantain, an abnormally long plantain that can reach up to two feet. They also have thicker skin and contain significantly more starch. Despite their similar appearances, they have vastly diverse flavor characteristics. After that, they are fried and served as a dessert. This may help reduce blood sugar increases in some people, especially compared to more refined, processed foods that dont have fiber (12). Yes. Carbohydrates arent necessarily a bad thing for weight management like most people believe. A ripe plantain is black with just a bit of yellow. They should be cooked to be eaten. With good levels of vitamin C, they can also support immune function. Bananas and plantains are very similar in their nutritional content, containing a variety of vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The perfect ripeness depends on personal taste. TheAfrican Rhinois a horn plantain that grows in Africa. Plantains contain around 57 grams of carbs per cup (139 grams). There are many different ways to use the plantain, and certain regions prepare specific dishes with plantains. They must be cooked and are an important part of Central and South American, Caribbean, African, and Southeast Asian cuisines. Theyre larger, greener and have a thicker skin. Antioxidants are also included, which help in fighting free radicals. The plants thrive in almost any type of well-drained soil and are healthiest . Plantains can be eaten at any stage of ripening, but youll need a knife to peel them. The quality of the fruit from the Saba plantain is not as good as horn plantains, even though it looks a lot like them. In fact, plantains can be a great boost to your diet. As with many plants that grow easily and abundantly, countries that play host to the dynamic plantain have devised seemingly endless uses for the fruit. French and Horns plantains are the two most common types. When plantains look like they are bad is when they are the sweetest. Its giant leaves wrap around its trunk and its purple bud-like flowers are produced from the pseudostem and develop into a cluster of hanging fruit. Sometimes called the hot dog of the sea, imitation crab is a popular ingredient in dishes like seafood salads, crab cakes or California sushi rolls, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. The outer skin is green, tough, and difficult to peel when unripe. They are fried once under tender, then smashed, and fried again. Whats left when you take an ant out of a plantain? However, they are now grown all over the world, including in India, Egypt, Indonesia, and tropical regions of the Americas. Ripe plantain taste a lot better than unripe ones, but that doesnt mean it is richer in nutrients ; in fact, nutritionists believe that unripe plantain is better for your health than the ripe ones. In the supermarket, you might have seen what you thought to be large firm bananas. It is necessary for the metabolism of macronutrients, the formation of healthy red blood cells, and the production of neurotransmitters. Like bananas, they start green and progress to yellow and then a dark brown-black as they ripen. How Many Calories and Carbs Are in a Banana? Both plantains, as well as their cultivated ancestors, originated on the Malaysian peninsula, New Guinea, and Southeast Asia. While its possible to confuse bananas with plantains because of the two fruits visual similarities, youll find its easy to tell them apart after tasting them. Batard is a popular plantain variety in Cameroon. It is able to resist the black Sigatoka, which is a disease that impacts plantains. Most plantains need to be cooked before consumption because they are unpleasant to eat uncooked. The pulp is salmon-pink in color. Like bananas, plantains are originally from Southeast Asia. Plantains need tropical weather for successful fruit production. They are currently grown all throughout the world, especially in India, Egypt, Indonesia, and the Americas tropical regions. Try not to sprinkle fertilizer on the trunk. Were Bryan & Dena welcome to our site. If youre feeling more adventurous, try ripe plantain arepas or borona (mashed plantain and eggplant). Its better to think of plantains as a starchy vegetable or a substitute for potatoes. High-fat, high-salt, or high-sugar foods can raise your risk of weight gain, diabetes, heart disease, or cancer. In fact, if youre switching from fried cakes to fried fruit, you might even argue that its a step up in terms of nutrition. Long story short: Plantains can make you feel better from the inside out. Plantain trees are grown just like bananas and will require well-drained soil, frequent watering, and protection from both the wind and frost. Green plantains are the least ripe and the most starchy. This article will review the similarities and differences between bananas and plantains, including some of their most common culinary uses. In this post, youll learn about plantain nutrition, including calories and other nutrients. We have a special focus on travel in Ecuador, Africa, and Nova Scotia. While their nutritional content is similar, plantains are more starchy and contain less sugar than bananas. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. When propagating a new plantain plant, you can leave just one sucker on the plant at a time. Last medically reviewed on October 30, 2019. They go well as a side dish with rice and beans. Plantains are a high-carbohydrate snack thats also high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. All rights reserved. Although completely black plantains are still good to eat, they are a little too soft, making them difficult to prepare. The countries with the highest volumes of plantain consumption in 2019 were the Democratic Republic of the Congo (5.7M tonnes), Cameroon (5.2M tonnes), and Ghana (4.2M tonnes), together comprising 36% of global consumption. As an antioxidant, it may protect your body against free radical damage thats associated with aging, heart disease, and even some types of cancer. However, cooking methods can affect the nutritional content of these fruits. Banana cultivar diversity comprises a plethora of types, which are grown for many different purposes. 63 ug. This article explains the differences between raw and regular honey. Can you eat a plantain without cooking it? When a plantain is completely black, it is still good to eat. Pasteles are a typical dish in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. More of the starch has turned to sugars, so they arent as good a source of resistant starch as green plantains and their nutritional profile is a bit different as well. Think of cooking plantains as you would potatoes. What is the Difference Between a Plantain and a Banana? As a result, you may have to take extra steps to protect your tree when the cold weather arrives. Plantains are very versatile and typically inexpensive. Plantains, on the other hand, are less well-known. Ripe plantains peel as easily as a banana. Also like bananas, the tropical fruit does not have a strict season, so they're available year-round. They keep you fuller and more satisfied for longer after a meal, which can mean less snacking on unhealthy foods. This means that a ripe plantain will taste much like a yellow dessert banana! They just have a few essential growing requirements such as warm climates and direct, consistent sunlight. Opt for a balanced 8-10-8, slow-release fertilizer. Bananas are a common sight in many fruit baskets. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Plantains are black when fully ripe and have a flavor that is close to a banana but not sweet. Seasoning can be sweet, like butter and sugar, or savory, like garlic butter. Plantains (pltanos in Spanish) look like large bananas. They are high in vitamin B6, which is beneficial to the heart and mind. Vitamin C is critically important for the immune system, but since humans cant produce it on their own, we have to turn to other sources to get it.