TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - When it comes to flavor, taste is often a matter of personal preference. However, TasteAtlas has recently unveiled a ranking of the world’s best-tasting bananas, based on the votes of real food lovers from across the globe. Known for sparking curiosity about unique dishes worldwide, their surveys continue to highlight the diverse flavors that captivate different cultures.
List of Best-Tasting Bananas in the World
Navigating which country has the best banana in the world can be challenging, especially since the yellow fruit is recognized as the most popular fruit globally. In this article, let’s take a closer look at some of the most beloved types of bananas according to TasteAtlas.
1. Pisang Mas - Indonesia, Malaysia
The exceptionally sweet flavor, less dense flesh, and creamy texture are only a few of the reasons that make Pisang Mas the best-tasting banana. Typically measured at about 10 to 15 centimeters in length, this delicate type of banana is also known as Lady Finger whose origins are rooted back in Indonesia and Malaysia.
2. Plátano de Canarias - Spain
Containing more potassium and phosphorus, the Canary Islands’ very own type of banana has a distinctive feature that is marked by brown flecks all over the yellow skin. Thanks to higher activity of enzymes, the fruits—that are at least 14 cm long—can grow to ripen a lot faster compared to bananas of other regions.
3. Cavendish Banana - England
As the most widely consumed banana, the Cavendish Banana was named after the 6th Duke of Cavendish, William Cavendish. Historically, the plants have been introduced and exported across multiple countries worldwide, including the Americas and the Canary Islands.
4. Pisang Raja - Indonesia
If you have traveled to Southeast Asian countries, chances are you have encountered Pisang Raja along the way. Literally translated into “king of bananas,” this type of fruit is acknowledged to be superior among its kind, thanks to the flavorful taste with a slight hint of citrus.
5. Latundan Banana - Philippine
Among the best-tasting bananas, Latundan from the Philippines is known to have a thinner peel and a fairly shorter length of around 10 to 12.5 centimeters. But they also have a distinctive texture and flavor that make these types of bananas draw attention from both travelers and locals.
6. Manzano Banana - Latin America
With its chubby figure, the Manzano Banana earned itself a nickname of “Apple banana,” where a hint of sweetness from strawberry or apple can easily be found upon each bite. As a Central America native, Manzano Banana is particularly popular to harvest in the Carribean, South and Central America as well as Africa.
7. Red Banana - India
As the first type of banana whose color is not yellow on the list, the Indian fruit has a smaller, plumper, and creamier texture in comparison to the average Cavendish Banana. It also gives their enjoyers the satisfaction of tasting a hint of raspberry flavor from the red-skinned fruit.
8. Matoke - Uganda
Similar to India’s Red Banana, Matoke is famed to be the green cooking banana that often goes well with vegetable sauces, ground peanuts, and even meat. Before fully ripe, this fruit needs to be either steamed, roasted, or boiled in order to soften the flesh.
9. Goldfinger Banana - Honduras
Goldfinger Banana was actually a product by the Honduran Foundation for Agricultural Research (FHIA) aimed to withstand pests better than the Cavendish variety. Today, the breeding program is highly successful in its origin country.
10. Burro Banana - Mexico
While the conventional Cavendish banana tastes sweet, the flavor of the Burro banana leans more towards the tangy taste. Bearing shorter and more squared shapes, this Mexican fruit also has a firmer and starchier texture before it fully ripens.
11. Gros Michel Banana - Jamaica
Compared to other best-tasting bananas, Gros Michel, or the “Big Mike,” was prized for its major resistance in handling transportation across regions. For this, the thick-skinned fruit was notably among the mainstream export bananas in the 1950s.
12. Blue Java Banana - Southeast Asia
Closing the list, Blue Java Bananas are especially popular ingredients to make smoothies, desserts, and many other delightful dishes. Despite originating from Southeast Asia, the vanilla-like flavor can also be found in the Pacific region like Hawaii and Fiji.
Beyond everyday Cavendish, TasteAtlas highlights how each type of the best-tasting bananas carries a story of culture, tradition, and flavor.
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