“Banana” is a term used for the edible fruits produced by various large, herbaceous plants in the genus Musa. Botanically speaking, bananas are a type of berry. Bananas are originally from Malay Archipelago in Southeast Asia. Bananas typically have a long, slender shape and are covered by a thick skin. Many different kinds of bananas exist. However, in Western cultures, the term “banana” usually refers to the sweet, yellow variety. The outer skin is green, tough, and difficult to peel when unripe. As the banana ripens, the skin changes to bright yellow, followed by a dark brown. It also becomes progressively easier to peel. Bananas can be eaten raw, and their edible flesh becomes sweeter, darker, and softer as it ripens. They can also be enjoyed cooked when ripe, often in desserts. When green, they can be boiled and mashed and eaten as you would mashed potatoes.
