20 Exotic Bananas That Taste Wonderful

Banana is one of the most common fruits all over the world. But you might get shocked to know that there are so many varieties of this fruit, considered exotic bananas.

There are a lot of varieties of bananas that are not often available in the market. Due to the difference in the origin, harvesting land, and market demand we can find only a few varieties of bananas in the market, and the rest of the bananas which are uncommon or irregular in our shopping list we address as exotic bananas.

Bananas come in various shapes, sizes, colors, unique flavors, and textures. Exotic bananas may include varieties such as the Red Banana, Blue Java Banana, Manzano Banana, or Lady Finger Banana. These bananas are very different from the typical yellow Cavendish bananas commonly found in grocery stores.

In this article, we will try to get to know about the most common varieties of exotic bananas.

List of Some Exotic Bananas

It is believed that there are more than a thousand varieties of bananas, grown in 150 countries and divided into more than 50 categories in the world. In our regular grocery, we might hardly find two to three varieties of bananas. But there are thousands more!

Now we will talk about some of those rare varieties of bananas that you might call, “exotic bananas”. All of the species of these bananas have their own customized shapes, and tastes, and use for different-different purposes. If you are someone who is curious about knowing the different varieties of bananas and their tastes then this article gonna help you.

Different types of bananas are available in different states and geo positions over the world but it seems that in the Asian regions, the varieties are more randomly found than in the other parts of the world.

1. Red Banana:

The name says that three is a connection of the color red with this variety of bananas.  This banana has reddish-purple skin and a sweet flavor with hints of raspberry. The inside flesh of this banana has a creamy or light pink hue.

This banana belongs to the Musa Cuminata species. People generally use this banana as a dessert banana.

2. Blue Java Banana (Ice Cream Banana):

If there is a red banana specie then what if there is another specie blue banana? Yes, three are blue bananas as well often called, Blue Java Banana or Ice Cream Banana. This banana has a soft blue tone on its skin when it is unripe, and slowly gets a creamy texture with getting the ripe age. The ripe banana has the consistency of ice cream from where the nickname ice cream bananas come.

This blue java banana is most seen in the South Asian regions and it is a hybrid specie.

3. Manzano Banana:

Manzano also known as the Apple Banana, has a hint of apple flavor and a firm texture. Manzano bananas are an exceptionally tasty variety. These bananas are very small in size they are like fingers. Manzano banana is well known for the sweetness of apples and strawberries.

4. Lady Finger Banana:

Lady’s Finger bananas are also addressed as “Baby Bananas”. Lady finger banana is small in size and sweeter than the regular Cavendish banana. This specie of banana is only about 3-5 inches long and has a bright yellow color. Its skin is thinner than our regular banana’s skin.

At full ripe phrase, this banana gets some dark sports. The flesh of this banana has a creamy consistency and sweet taste. 

5. Burro Banana:

Burro bananas are commonly grown in hot or tropical and subtropical lands. They are branded under different names, such as Hog bananas, Horse bananas, and Orinoco bananas.

The Burro banana has a tangy and lemony taste, a little different from other varieties. They also have slight crispiness in the flesh, especially around the center.

6. Pisang Raja (King Banana):

Pisang Raja also said as the King Banana, belongs from Southeast Asia, this banana is larger than the common banana and has a sweet, creamy taste.

7. Gros Michel:

Differentiating between the Gros Michel and Cavendish bananas is very hard for a common man. Both bananas have almost the same size and the same taste. Gros  Michel banana tastes sweet and holds a creamy texture. 

Though, Gros Michel is not famous or common as the Cavendish bananas due to having a strong aroma chef’s prefer them to cook banana pies. The Gros Michel banana was popular until the 1950s due to its usage to treat Panama disease.

8. Goldfinger Banana:

The Goldfinger  Banana has a golden-yellowish skin and a slightly tangy flavor. These bananas are popular for their excellent taste like an apple, which is sweeter. It has some common characteristics between Cavendish and Lady Finger banana variants.

An exceptional fact about this Goldfinger banana is that it will not turn brown whenever you cut it or slice it; so you can cut it and slice it as per your wish and add it to your salad recipes or ice creams.

9. Praying Hands Banana:

The Praying Hands banana got its name due to its unique shape of praying hands. This medium size banana does not separate but is rather closely tied to each other on the bench, which gives it a body that looks like a praying hand appearance. 

About colors, Praying Hands bananas are green when unripe and yellow when ripe like the popular Cavendish banana and other types. The flesh of this banana has a yellowish-white color also has a starchy and lightly sweet flavor and a firm texture.

10. Manzana Banana:

The Manzana banana is another exotic banana variety that belongs to Central and South America and is named for its apple-like flavor. It has a firm texture and a slightly tangy taste.

11. Cavendish Banana:

Hearing the word,’ Banana’ the first image you will get in your mind will be the most common type of banana which is the Cavendish banana specie. Coming from the Mysa acuminate species of banana, the Cavendish has a smooth light yellow color skin and its inside flesh is also a mixture of white and yellowish colors.

In the unripe age, this banana looks green to light yellowish but as the banana gets ripe inside the skin color changes to dark yellow, sometimes ripeness can cause a few brown or dark spots on the body of the Cavendish banana. The ripe Cavendish is very sweet to eat but if it gets overripe then it will turn mushy and the skin will get brown to black color.

Cavendish bananas are a versatile origin of bananas, which is available mostly in all cities of the world. You can eat them raw or use them to make plenty of specialized dishes, such as salads and baked desserts, pancakes, juices, smoothies, custards, jams, and banana bread.

12. Nanjangud Banana:

Locally nicknamed Nanjangud Rasabalehannnu is an Indian-origin of banana that we know as the Nanjangud banana in our Western countries. The Nanjangud banana has a  strong flavor and aroma that makes it unique from others.

The black clay soil and the growing method of the Nanjangud region have given it a different scent and taste. The flesh of this banana is grainy to smooth. Finding this species of Banana in America is very hard and if you find then also you might not get the proper taste and aroma as the raw Indian-harvested Nanjangud Banana.

13. Giant Cavendish Banana:

Giant Cavendish, the name refers to the Cavendish species of banana, the main difference between the two Cavendish types is that one is small in size while the other type is large and bigger.

The regular Cavendish bananas are around 8-10cm in length but the giant Cavendish is around 15-23cm long. Some people also know it as William bananas. These bananas are harvested when they are unripe and as per becoming ripe, the banana gets its giant size and mild sweet flavor. These bananas are highly nutritious so help your body grow and keep fit.

14. Barangan Banana:

The most unique part about the Barangann banana is that this variety of bananas is seed-free. They get the traditional yellow color at the ripe age and some dark spots. If the banana gets overripe then there comes some black spots and slowly the whole banana turns into a dark color.

Baranga banana’s flesh is white to a bit yellowish inside and tastes a mild sweetness that seems so lovely. In the North Sumatra regions of Indonesia and other hot weather regions, this banana is often grown. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and portion particles so people use to eat this as a dessert item and slo ingredient to make special sweet dishes.

15. Rajapuri Banana:

Here comes another Indian variety of banana that is named the Rajapuri banana. The word Rajapuri means the land of the king in Hindi. It means the Rajapuri banana stand for the banana from the king’s land or garden.

The fabulous sweetness of this banana has won the hearts of millions. This banana is commonly used to make sweet dishes, juices, desserts, and special guest items. The inside flesh texture of the banana is dense and a little creamy with a creamy yellowish color.

This variety of bananas is loved by the people of the Indian subcontinent as well as Asian neighborhoods.

16. Rhino Horn Bananas:

According to our research on exotic banana varieties, this is the largest size of banana that is available in the world, this Rhino Horn Bananas can be 12/14 inches in normal growth though it has been seen to grow as long as 24 inches or 2 feet.

The Rhino horn is also known as the African Rhino Horn or the Rhino Horn plantains. This specie of banana belongs to the African regions. This banana was not a natural variety, it was prepared by mixing Musa Balbisiana and Musa Acuminata bananas. So basically it is a hybrid of Musa Balbisiana and Musa Acuminata.

Native people use these Rhino Horn Bananas to cook dishes and also sometimes these bananas are used to make decorations due to their exotic shape and size.

17. Fehi Banana:

Looking for the list of exotic bananas we found another type of banana that is kinda weird because of its color! The Fehi banana has a color range from orange to red. This variety of bananas is also introduced as Fe’i or Fe’i bananas.

The inside flesh of this banana is orange or yellow and you can not eat this banana raw as they have an astringent flavor. To taste this uncommon colored banana you will have to bake or boil it, before eating the fruit.

Though in some regions people eat the Fehi banana raw when it is fully ripe. The main benefit of eating this Fehi banana is that is very rich in beta carotene, the deeper the color is the more beta carotene particles in the banana. Also, the banana contains some starch and an uncountable level of sugar.

18. Macho Plantain Banana

Macho Plantain Bananas taste both sweet and sour at the same time! Native to Florida, USA these are the most prevalent type of plantain in the USA.

The Macho Plantain is preferred to cook roast, fry, and saute. This variety of plantain is larger than regular plantains. This banana is bigger than the popular Cavendish bananas and also enriched with so much nutritional value. This variety of bananas contains a low carbon footprint and a medium water footprint.

19. Saba Banana

Native to the Philippines the Saba banana play an important role in Filipino cuisine. You can take this banana both as raw or as cooked.

The characteristics of the Sabba banana are they have a very thick skin, which is light green and a bit bluish in color at the unripe phase. The banana itself is generally bigger than the common banana in size and shape, the body structure of this banana is quite angular.

People in the Philippines love to cook dishes like Ginanggang, Halo-halo, banana jam, turrons, and many other native and traditional food recipes.

20. Brazilian Bananas

 Brazilian Bananas also known as “Banana do Brasil” are appreciated for their distinct flavor, easy cultivation, and world-spread market demand. The Brazilian Banana has its own exceptional quality and flavor. It is sweet to taste and the flesh is creamy-smoothy. People often use it to make delicious sweet dishes and desserts.

Conclusion

In the article, we have talked about 10 varieties of exotic bananas, that are not regularly seen in our groceries or markets but has some unique characteristics and wonderful taste. So if you find any of these bananas next to you then don’t miss the chance to try the different taste of it.
Remember, depending on the geographical position and the season you might not find all the exotic bananas in your city or at any time of the year. These exotic bananas are available depending on their regional reasonability.