 Banana (English)
Kela
(Hindi)
Vazhaipazham (Tamil)
The banana was originally
cultivated by pre-historic peoples in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific.
Some horticulturists suspect
that the banana was the earth's first fruit. One of the first records of bananas
says it was discovered by Alexander the great in India in 327 B.C.
Banana plants are featured
as decorative item in main functions like wedding, housewarming in South India.
Banana leaves are used for
serving food in South India.
There is no such thing as a
banana tree. Bananas grow on plants which grow from a bulb. Each fleshy bulb
will sprout new shoots year after year.
Banana plants are the
largest plants on earth without a woody stem. The Banana plant trunk is a false
stem formed by tightly wrapped leaf sheaths.
The plant’s
gigantic leaves can reach up to 30 feet in length and the stems can weight up to
100 pounds.
In
approximately two months, a flowering stalk emerges from the top and a large bud
grows downward from the stalk's tip.
Purplish leaves
around the bud unfold and banana blossoms are revealed. Each female blossom
becomes an individual banana fruit.
Within 8 to 10
months, stems are ready to be harvested. Bananas are available all year-round.
They are harvested every day of the year.
There are about 400
varieties of bananas. Bananas have grown on this planet for over 1 million
years.
The word banana is derived
from the Arabic meaning 'finger'.
The long fibers in bananas
are excellent for making paper. It is also used to make clothing in countries
such as the Philippines.
Each banana plant bears only
one stem of fruit. The plant is normally chopped down at the time of harvest.
Well-being:
One medium banana counts as
one serving of your 5 A Day. When
compared banana to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the
carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, and
twice the other vitamins and minerals.
Vitamins & Minerals:
Bananas are an excellent
source of Vitamin C, A1, B6, B12 as well as the potassium and magnesium.
Happiness:
This is because bananas
contain trypotophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin
known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Instant Energy:
If you want a quick fix for
flagging energy levels there's no better snack than a banana. Research has
proved that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute
workout.
Anemia:
High in iron,
bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so helps in
cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure:
This unique tropical fruit
is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food for
helping to beat blood pressure.
Fiber source:
High in fiber, including
bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome
the problem without resorting to laxatives. One banana has 16% of the fiber.
Heart-burn:
Bananas have a natural
antacid effect in the body so if you suffer from heart-burn, try eating a banana
for soothing relief.
Ulcers:
The banana is used as the
dietary food against intestinal disorders because of its soft texture and
smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in
over-chronic ulcer cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces
irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Healing burns:
Bananas contain
a marvelous substance, a surfactant that has a particularly beneficial affect
when it comes to healing burns. Banana leaf is used in treatment when people get
burns.
Bananas are the perfect
snack! You can take them anywhere
and they’re always ready to eat.
Bananas are great mixed with
other foods. Put them on cereal,
add them to sandwich or add them to fruit salads.
Unripe or
'green' plantain and bananas are used in cooking. Unripe banana chips are tasty
and crunchy snacks.
Banana blooms or flower of
the banana plant is used in Indian cooking. Try delicious snacks – Vazhaipoo
vada, kola urundai.
The tender core
of the banana plant's trunk (vazhai thandu) is also used.
Try our new recipe – vazhaithandu
poriyal |
