Home> Plants > Fruits Submit Your Photo Slide Show No 28 Of 29 Prev    Next Plantain  Publish Date : 21-12-2007 Author : haui Hits : 160 Rating : Not rated The plantain (pronounced [plæntɪn] or [plæntn][1]) is a species of the genus Musa and is generally used for cooking, in contrast to the soft, sweet banana (which is sometimes called the dessert banana). The population of North America was first introduced to the banana plantain, and colloquially in the United States and Europe the term "banana" refers to that variety. The word "banana" is often used incorrectly to describe other plantain varieties as well, when in fact the generic name is "plantain" and the specific varieties are cooking plantain, banana plantain, bocadillo plantain (the little one), etc. All members of the genus Musa are indigenous to the tropical region of Southeast Asia, including the Malay Archipelago and northern Australia[2]. Plantains tend to be firmer and lower in sugar content than dessert bananas and are used either when green or under-ripe (and therefore starchy) or overripe (and therefore sweet). Plantains are a staple food in the tropical regions of the world, treated in much the same way as potatoes and with a similar neutral flavour and texture when unripe. They are grown as far north as Florida, the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, Madeira, Egypt, and southern Japan or Taiwan and as far south as KwaZulu-Natal and southern Brazil. The largest exporter of plantains to the United States is Colombia. The common plantain species Musa paradisiaca, has many varieties. Bananas (or sapientum) are a sub-species of plantains, and were formerly regarded as a separate species. Bananas are eaten raw, while plantains require cooking. The species is likely native of India and Southern Asia. It is assumed that the Portuguese Franciscan friars were responsible for the introduction of plantains to the Caribbean islands and other parts of the Americas. The Spaniards, who saw a similarity to the plane tree that grows in Spain, gave the plantain its Spanish name, plátano. Rate This Photo 5 - Best4321 Add Your Comment Your Name * Your Comment * Enter Validation Code * Prev    Next