Often confused, the plantain and the banana are in fact two very different fruits. Origin, taste, culinary use: here is the full breakdown.
Banana: the sweet dessert fruit
The banana (Cavendish) is sweet, eaten raw and rich in potassium. Native to Asia, it is grown throughout the tropics.
Plantain: the everyday cooked vegetable
The plantain is larger, contains more starch and less sugar. Always cooked before eating. A dietary staple in Africa and the Caribbean.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Banana | Plantain |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 15-20 cm | 25-35 cm |
| Taste | Sweet when raw | Starchy (raw) or sweet (ripe and cooked) |
| Calories /100g | 89 kcal | 122 kcal |
| Consumption | Raw, smoothie | Cooked (fried, boiled, foutou) |
Green plantain vs ripe plantain
- Green: starchy (foutou, banane pesée, fries)
- Yellow: balanced (alloco, kelewele)
- Black-spotted: very sweet (fritters, dessert)
Where to buy?
Fresh plantains and chips on nkosiagro.com, see plantain chips and exotic fruits.
