Bananer

Bananer are the edible fruits produced by several cultivars within the Musa genus. In many languages, including Swedish and Norwegian, bananer is the plural form of banana. The fruit grows in hanging clusters from herbaceous plants and varies in size, shape, and sweetness. Most commercial cultivars are seedless triploids bred for dessert consumption.

Banana plants are large herbaceous perennials. The edible portion develops from the inflorescence and is typically seedless, a result of parthenocarpic fruit development. The plants prefer tropical climates with warm temperatures, high humidity, and well-drained soil. Bananas are usually harvested when mature but still green, and they ripen off the plant.

There are two main groups: dessert bananas, which are sweet and eaten fresh, and plantains, which are starchier and used for cooking. The Cavendish subgroup dominates exported dessert bananas, though it is vulnerable to Fusarium wilt (Panama disease). Plantains are staple foods in many regions.

Bananas are a good source of carbohydrates, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. They are eaten raw, baked, fried, or blended into dishes and beverages. Plantains are commonly fried, boiled, or roasted before eating.

Major producers include India, China, the Philippines, Brazil, Ecuador, and Costa Rica. Bananas are among the most traded fruit crops, with complex supply chains that connect growers in tropical regions to urban markets worldwide. Climate change and disease pressures continue to affect yields and prices.

Ripe bananas store at room temperature and ripen naturally; refrigeration can slow ripening. They are safe for most people, though some individuals may have allergies or intolerances.