The Indian banana is not just an impressive deciduous tree. It also bears delicious fruit. Occasionally they are offered at farmer's markets or via the Internet. They can also be harvested in the home garden. Its appearance reveals little about the content. We clarify.
The unripe Indian banana fruit is reminiscent of unripe mangoes
appearance and size
The fruits are green in color when unripe. They change color as they mature. Whether it is only a faint yellow-green or a rich golden yellow depends on the variety. Shape and weight are also determined by the strain's genes. They are mainly reminiscent of mangoes, are approx. 8 to 10 cm long and weigh around 200 grams.
In order to obtain numerous large fruits, Indian bananas are grafted at a young age.
taste
The taste is exotic and still unfamiliar to us, which is why it is difficult to describe. The easiest way is to compare it with known types of fruit. The following aroma components are represented, although they are slightly different for each variety:
- mango
- pineapple
- banana
- lemon
- passion fruit
recognize maturity
Indian bananas are in season in the fall. They are ready to harvest sometime between late August and mid-October. Only ripe fruit tastes good. Whether you are shopping or harvesting at home, you should know these signs of ripeness:
- the shell has turned yellow
- it gives way under pressure
- the fruit is fragrant
Ripe Indian bananas can only be stored for about three days. Unripe specimens can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four weeks. During this time they mature.
meal
Indian bananas are not peeled because their flesh is very soft. Instead, you can cut open the fruit and eat the pulp straight from the peel with a spoon. The large, dark brown seeds are removed beforehand.
The pulp of the Indian banana can enrich smoothies and milkshakes. It also tastes good in yoghurt or quark.
pollination problems
Many a gardener would like to plant this tree in order to be able to harvest their own fruit. But in order for the coveted fruits to actually come, the flowers have to be pollinated.
Only a few varieties are self-pollinating. All others need an alien pollinator species nearby. In addition, native insects do not like the scent of Indian banana blossoms. They are therefore rarely flown to. In order for the harvest to be higher, the flowers must be dusted with a brush or cotton swab.
Notice:
The first fruits can generally only be expected after a few years. Indian bananas grown from seed flower in seven to ten years. Grafted specimens after three or four years.