If you’ve ever been confused about the differences between plantains and bananas, you aren’t alone! Here are five of the most significant ways that plantains and bananas differ from one another
5 Differences Between Plantains and Bananas
Plantains and bananas are both delicious, nutritious fruits that belong to the Musaceae family and are native to Southeast Asia and Africa. They are also both incredibly popular around the world, and they have been eaten by humans for thousands of years.
So what are the differences between plantains and bananas? Let’s explore the 5 main differences between plantains and bananas in this article.
1. Plantain Nutrition Facts
While plantains and bananas are both delicious tropical fruits, they do differ quite a bit nutritionally. The good news is, it’s not all that confusing. When you compare plantain nutrition facts to banana nutrition facts, you’ll see that each fruit has a pretty unique set of benefits that could factor into your diet if you eat them regularly.
In general, bananas contain more sugar than plantain.1 cup of chopped raw banana contains 7 grams of sugar while 1 cup of chopped raw plantain contains 3 grams. so they can be a great option for diabetics.
But where plantains really win out over bananas is fiber; 1 cup of chopped raw bananas only contains 2 grams while 1 cup of chopped raw plantain contains 6 grams!
2. Banana Nutrition Facts
Bananas are relatively low in calories, but they’re also loaded with potassium. One banana contains 10 percent of your daily recommended intake (RDI) of potassium, which is important for maintaining blood pressure.
Potassium deficiency can lead to serious heart problems. Additionally, bananas are rich in pectin fiber and resistant starch – two types of soluble fiber that have been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. They’re also a good source of vitamin C.
3. Appearance
Both bananas and plantains look similar, but there are a few key differences. Plantains are larger with thicker skin than bananas. They can also be distinguished by their color – plantains have darker brown skin than bananas. Meanwhile, bananas have yellow-green skins that start to darken as they ripen.
4. Texture
The texture of plantain is very different from that of a banana. While plantains have a starchy, firm, slightly crunchy texture, bananas are far softer and fluffier. The textural difference between these two varieties is due to their varying sugar content.
Although both bananas and plantains are sweet, the banana is much sweeter than its counterpart. Another reason for their different textures could be due to how they’re eaten.
In many tropical areas where bananas and plantains grow, both of these fruits are often used in savory dishes like bread or fritters as opposed to being eaten plain for dessert as we do in North America.
5. Taste
When comparing plantains to bananas, most people will notice a stark difference in taste. Even plantain haters (there must be some out there) will agree that these guys are pretty much in a different taste category than bananas.
When fresh, plantains don’t have much of a flavor at all; but when ripened they do become slightly sweeter and somewhat softer (even mushy) in texture. Although ripe bananas can become sweeter too, their texture remains more firm than even an over-ripe plantain.
while over-ripe plantains really do resemble over-ripe potatoes in both texture and taste. Yup – you’ve got it – as far as flavor goes – ripe bananas are more comparable to under-ripe plantains.
Don’t Be a Dummy, Know the Difference Between Vitamin D and Calcium.
In conclusion, there are five main differences between plantains and bananas. First, plantains are longer and have thicker skin. Second, plantains are cooked before they are eaten, while bananas are typically eaten raw. Third, plantains have a lower sugar content than bananas. Fourth, plantains are a staple food in many parts of the world, while bananas are more of a dessert. Finally, plantains and bananas are classified as different