- From east to west
- banana belt
- Export goods become western delicacies
- Green harvest for a long journey
- tips and tricks
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In this country, the banana is now part of everyday life in many households. However, little is known about the origin of this delicious fruit. Let's embark on a historical journey together.
From east to west
The banana tree originally comes from Southeast Asia. From the 17th century it conquered all tropical countries. It is believed that this delicacy made its way to Central and South America via Africa and the Canary Islands.
banana belt
Due to the fact that the banana needs plenty of sun and rain to thrive, it grows most luxuriantly in the subtropics and tropics.
These regions are located north or south of the 30th parallel. They are in the tropics. Currently, however, not only the countries of Central America are among the most important growing areas. In terms of cultivation volume, India, China and the Philippines in particular are leading the way. However, these bananas are rarely exported.
Export goods become western delicacies
Every supermarket or fruit dealer in Germany now offers fruit bananas for consumption.
These come primarily from:
- Egypt
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Panama
- Vietnam
Bananas are one of the most important export goods in these regions.
Green harvest for a long journey
To ensure that the bananas reach us in an extremely digestible condition, they are harvested when they are already green. The entire infructescence is cut off with the help of a machete. Then this tuft is washed by hand.
In the next step, the fruit is packed in cartons. Bananas now reach the exporting countries on the two-week ship route. It needs some technical support so these don't mature already on the ship.
Arrived in the destination country, there is a stopover in a banana ripening plant. After that they are available for sale.
tips and tricks
It is advisable to give preference to organic bananas when buying. Their natural origin not only protects the environment. On the contrary, a job that is not harmful to health is guaranteed for the farmers in the individual countries.