Burro Banana vs Saba | Find Out The Similarities And Differences!

Burro banana vs Saba is our topic of discussion in today’s article. Many of you may be under the impression that these two banana variants are the same. Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but there are significant differences between Burro banana and Saba, which we will elaborate on in detail.

With that having been said, Burro banana and Saba also have similar characteristics. Both types of bananas are available all year round. The two variants can be used for cooking. Regarding nutrition, Burro and Saba bananas are rich in vitamin C, which helps strengthen our immune system and reduces inflammation. 

Want to know more? Keep reading as we look into the various characteristics of Burro banana and Saba, such as description, history, taste, health benefits, and more, to observe how the two variants differ.

1. History And Availability Of Burro And Saba Bananas

In this section, we have discussed where Burro and Saba bananas were first produced and mentioned the countries where you can easily find this fruit. 

Burro Banana

Burro bananas were introduced to the New World by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. The bananas were first produced in Mexico, and then over time, they were planted in Brazil, South America, and Venezuela.

In 1610, Burro bananas were planted in Florida, Southern California, and the Gulf as a unique variation. Nowadays, Burro bananas are widely grown and produced across America all year round.

Saba Banana

Saba bananas have been growing since ancient times. Now, they are the most commercially grown banana in the Philippines. The bananas are mainly produced for domestic sale and cultivated in Soccsksargen, Mindanao in Davao and Northern Mindanao.

It is very common for home gardens to have saba plants in the Philippines and South Asia. Other than these two locations, Saba bananas are also cultivated as specialty bananas in Florida and Hawaii in the United States.

2. Characteristics Of Burro And Saba Bananas

Burro and Saba bananas have distinguished characteristics, which have been explained below in detail.

Burro Bananas

Burro bananas are cylindrical, thick, and stubby in shape and approximately 15-20 centimeters long. The small to medium-sized banana has angular ridges that increase its length.

The peel of Burro bananas is smooth, semi-thick, and pliable, which helps to distinguish this variant from all the others. The peel changes from green to dark green to golden yellow when the bananas are young. Once ripe, the peel becomes covered with patches and black-brown spots, but the change in color does not affect the banana flesh.

Burro bananas are crisp on the outside and soft and smooth on the inside. The bananas have a dense, potato-like, firm, starchy flesh when unripe. But as soon as the bananas mature, the texture becomes creamy and chewy. You may also find tiny black edible seeds in the middle of the fruit.

Unripe Burro bananas are tangy in taste when they are cooked with apples and citrus fruits. But when they mature, the bananas carry a slightly sweet, fruity, lemon-like flavor.

Saba Bananas

Saba bananas are cylindrical in shape with a slight curve. The bananas are 7 to 13 centimeters long and grow in bunches weighing 26 to 38 kgs per bunch. A single bunch has 16 hands, and each hand can hold 12-20 bananas.

The bananas have leathery, tough, and smooth peels that change from green to yellow as they ripen. The flesh is firm, dense, and cream-colored, with tiny seeds which are hardly noticeable when eaten. When it comes to texture, Saba bananas are chewy and meaty but much softer in texture than plantain.

Raw Saba bananas are starchy, sweet, and tangy in taste. But the bananas taste sweet and rich, and the texture becomes soft and tender when cooked. The best time to cook Saba bananas is when the peels are turning from green to yellow.

Pick the ripe ones with a golden yellow-brown peel if you want to eat raw Saba bananas.

3. Important Facts About Burro And Saba Bananas

Below, we have highlighted some essential facts about Burro and Saba bananas, which are important when distinguishing between the two variants.

Burro Bananas

Burro bananas belong to the Musaceae family. The fruits grow on plants 4-6 meters in height, found in America. The plants produce fruit yearly, providing a steady supply for commercial purposes in some regions. The bananas can be consumed raw and used for cooking to make sweet and savory dishes.

Burro bananas are thick, square, and blocky, which is why this variant is also known as Chunky bananas, Largo, Horse, Orinoco, Hog, and Bluggoe bananas. The main advantage of Burro bananas is that they are compact, resistant to disease, and grow vigorously, which helps commercial banana growers. 

Saba Bananas

All parts of Saba banana plants, including the leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers, can be used for cooking. Saba bananas grow slower compared to other bananas, and the variant is available all year round.

Saba bananas are known as Dippig and Opo’ulu in Hawaii, Kluai Hin in Thailand, Biu Gedang Saba in Java, Pisang Kepok in Indonesia, Pisang Abu and Pisang Nipah in Malaysia. The bananas are also known as Compact bananas, Sweet Plantains, Karbada bananas, and Saba bananas.

Saba bananas are very popular in the Philippines as they can be used to make various sweet and savory dishes.

4. Nutritional Information For Burro And Saba Bananas

Necessary nutritional information and values of  Burro and Saba bananas have been given.

Burro Bananas

Burro bananas help to make digestion easy. They contain calcium, which helps build strong teeth and bones. The variety is rich in potassium, which helps balance the body’s fluid levels. Burro bananas are considered alkaline, which helps the body balance acidic foods and prevent diseases.

Burro bananas also contain vitamin C, which helps reduce inflammation and strengthens our immune system; copper, which helps develop our connective tissues; and magnesium, which controls the function of our optimal organs. Other nutrients include zinc, iron, and phosphorus. 

A medium-sized 118g Burro banana contains 105 calories, 0.4g of fat, 0mg of cholesterol, 27g of carbohydrates, and 1.3g of protein.

Saba Bananas

Saba bananas contain vitamin A, which helps our organs to function properly. The fruit also has vitamin B, which provides our bodies with energy, and vitamin C, which helps to reduce inflammation.

The variant is rich in fiber, which keeps our digestive system healthy.  Saba bananas also contain iron, which helps keep our hemoglobin levels balanced.

A 75g whole steamed Saba banana contains 110 calories, 0g of fat, 0mg of cholesterol, 26g of carbohydrates, and 1g of protein.

5. How Can Burro And Saba Bananas Be Consumed?

We have discussed how you can incorporate Saba and Burro bananas with other ingredients.

Burro Bananas

Unpeeled, whole Burro bananas can be kept in the fridge after they ripen. But eating the ripe bananas as soon as possible is best to enjoy the flavor and quality.

Burro bananas can be eaten raw when ripe or cooked when they are both unripe and ripe. Green Burro bananas have a starchy texture and can be used to cook curries or sliced up thinly for frying chips.

Ripe bananas can be eaten raw, incorporated in desserts, or even chopped up as toppings to spread over pancakes, fruit salad, cereal, and porridge. The fruit can be blended to make milkshakes and smoothies; if frozen, you can easily prepare banana ice cream.

The peels of ripe Burro bananas can be washed, boiled, and cooked as meat. The variant goes well with beef, pork, poultry, passion fruit, pineapple, berries and coconut.

Burro bananas are caramelized as a sweet dish or sliced to prepare French fries in the Caribbean. In Mexico, Burro bananas are chopped up and roasted as a side dish or fried into fritters. Bananas are commonly incorporated in other countries’ bread, pudding, or cake batters.

Saba Bananas

Whole, unopened Saba bananas can be kept at room temperature for a few days to one week, depending on the ripeness. Once ripe and ready to eat, the fruits can be stored in the refrigerator for another day. Using the bananas immediately in their desired stage is recommended for the best quality and flavor.

Saba bananas are sweet and tangy in taste and can also be eaten raw when ripe or used for cooking. Ripe Saba bananas can be eaten on their own, chopped up and added to cereals, blended into milkshakes or smoothies, and used as a fresh topping on desserts.

Saba bananas can be steamed or boiled and eaten as a side dish, or the fruit can be fried into a dish named Sinapot or Maruya. Another dish, Minatamis na saging, is made by cooking Saba Bananas in a mixture of brown sugar, water, vanilla extract, and salt. 

You can also incorporate Saba when you bake. Another option is to slice them up, saute them in butter, and serve them with syrup, or the bananas can be caramelized and topped with dried fruits or sugar. Saba bananas go well with various ingredients, including seafood, pork, beef, garlic, shallots, vanilla, caramel, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Saba bananas are coated in sugar and fried until a caramelization develops to be used in a dessert known as Turon in the Philippines. The bananas are often added to a famous dessert in the Philippines named halo-halo, made with a mixture of chewy, crunchy, warm, and cold ingredients.

Saging con hielo is another recipe prepared by cooking Saba bananas, adding caramel sauce, and then topping them over shaved ice or condensed milk. 

One of the most famous recipes in the Philippines is banana ketchup, a substitute for tomato sauce. The condiment is prepared using Saba bananas, sugar, chili peppers, spices, and vinegar. The sauce is served with meat or mixed with rice and noodles.

FAQs

1. How many Saba bananas can I eat in a day?

One to two bananas per day is sufficient for healthy people.

2. How long does it take for a Burro banana to ripen?

It takes about two weeks for a Burro banana to ripen if kept at room temperature fully. When the banana’s peel turns yellow with black spots, you know it is ripe.

3. Is Saba a healthy banana?

Saba bananas are rich in fiber, vitamin C, and potassium, which helps to boost our digestive system and improve heart health.

Conclusion: Burro Bananas vs Saba

We hope our article on ‘Burro Banana vs Saba’ has helped you to understand the similarities and differences between the two types of bananas. Luckily, both Burro and Saba bananas are now produced in the United States of America and are available throughout the year. Most of all, you can eat these bananas raw or use them to prepare various dishes.

The two variants have their texture and taste and different nutrition values. Most of all, Burro bananas and Saba bananas originate from different locations.