Most of us probably tasted the popular Cavendish variety of the banana. These bananas are nutritious and they can survive even if you ship them overseas. But Cavendish bananas are definitely not the most delicious type of bananas. In fact, there are a thousand different types of bananas around the world that most of us haven’t tried. One of these is the blue java banana which is native to Hawaii and other tropical countries in Central America and Southeast Asia. But what exactly are blue bananas?
Ice Cream and Bananas
Blue Java bananas or also known as ice cream bananas have peels with an “icy-touch”. Before they ripen, these bananas have a bluish, sea-green peel compared to its other banana counterpart that has lime green peels. Once the Blue Java bananas are ripe, they will have a fluffy and creamy texture with a hint of vanilla flavor. That’s why some people refer to them as ice cream bananas.
Ice cream bananas are often denoted as a specialty fruit but they are not anything new. Local farmers in Hawaii and in other tropical regions have been growing this deliciously sweet fruit since the early 1920s. Even if these bananas are typically found in tropical climates, they are cold tolerant which means that they can grow in cold climates as long as they get a decent amount of sunlight.
Planting and Growing Blue Java Bananas
As we mentioned earlier, Blue Java bananas can survive cold temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit or -7 degrees Celsius. They can grow up to 18 feet tall and 10 feet wide. They have large silver-green leaves and a sturdy trunk. In order to grow and mature fast Blue Java bananas require a full to partial sunlight. You will need to wait for around nine months before it starts bearing fruit and you can expect it to give you plenty of bananas every year to harvest. Just like most banana trees, the Blue Java banana tree take up some space so you may want to plant them where they can spread a little.
If you want to plant your own Blue Java banana tree, you can already buy them as a plant or you can buy some seeds and plant them on your own.
Blue Java Banana Recipes
The Blue Java banana is great eaten on its own but you can also use this banana in several sweet and savory recipes. One thing’s for sure, this banana goes perfectly well with ice cream. That’s why if you’re ready to harvest your Blue Java banana tree or if you’re looking for something more special, here are some recipes that we recommend which will go perfectly with the creamy and vanilla flavor of the Blue Java banana.
- Avocado Banana Smoothie with Chia Seeds – This recipe is packed with healthy fats and it is a great on-the-go drink if you have a busy day ahead. The vanilla flavor of the Blue Java banana goes perfectly with the flavors of cinnamon, almond, and agave syrup. Now, this is a power breakfast.
- Flambee Banana Panna Cotta –Nothing goes perfectly well than cinnamon and vanilla. This pannacotta recipe topped with yummy caramelized Blue Java banana disk that is flavored with cinnamon is super easy to make and you can serve them on a party or in a simple dinner get together.
- Rice with Fried Bananas and Coconut – This is a creamy rice dessert that is made with brown sugar, basmati rice, and coconut milk. Mixing a Blue Java banana will add to the creaminess of the dessert and the vanilla flavor will complement the coconut milk.