A fresh guide to Australian bananas
A banana is a curved fruit with thick yellow skin and soft, sweet flesh. Despite their look, bananas are technically berries.
Where are Australian bananas grown?
Bananas are grown on large, tree-like plants in tropical and subtropical regions of Queensland, Western Australia and northern New South Wales.
How to pick
Choose brightly coloured bananas. Yellow indicates they are ripe and ready to eat. Green bananas are unripe and will be ready in a few days. When a banana develops brown marks this indicates it’s overripe, but can still be used in smoothies and cooking. Lady Finger: These bananas are best eaten once black sugar spots appear on the skin.
How to store
Bananas will continue to ripen at room temperature. Refrigerating your bananas will stop the ripening process, but the skin will turn black and the flavour may deteriorate. Bananas stored individually will ripen slower than in a bunch, as one ripe banana will encourage others nearby to ripen.
How to use
Ripe bananas are perfect by themselves - just peel off the skin and enjoy. Unripe bananas can be used in a curry, while overripe bananas can add sweet creaminess to a smoothie, or be used in baking. Try mashing softer bananas and adding to the batter of banana bread, muffins or cake.
Know your banana varieties
Cavendish
In season: All year
Firm, with a starchy texture and thin peel, Cavendish bananas are the most popular banana variety in Australia.
Lady Finger
In season: All year
Also known as sugar bananas, Lady Finger bananas are shorter in length, less curved and full of sweet flavour.
Fun facts
- Banana plants are actually herbs that can grow up to 15 metres tall. The bend in a banana is called negative geotropism. Instead of growing straight downward, bananas turn up toward the sun giving them their curved shape.
- Bananas are a source of vitamin B6 and vitamin C, with potassium to contribute to healthy muscle function, and fibre to support a healthy gut.*
*When eaten as part of a healthy and balanced diet.
Food saver tips
- Add ripe bananas to baking recipes such as banana bread, cakes or muffins. Peel and freeze ripe bananas for up to three months. They will be handy for smoothies or baking. Don’t throw out your banana peel! Use it in a chutney.
