robguz24

UPDATE: well I should correct this as a not quite Pisang Raja taste report. This appears to be what is described in the Kepler & Rust book as Pisang Raja, but is not actually that. It is not what others are growing on the mainland and elsewhere as Pisang Raja. But if you happen to have "Pisang Raja" in Hawaii, it may well be this one. All my Mysore plants have BSV, but this one does not and does appear distinct in several ways from my Mysores. Thicker trunk, less black, less red on the underside of new leaves but otherwise does appear to be closely related.

My first Pisang Raja bunch was harvested a week ago. Big 15 hand rack with 254 fruit. This one is a winner!



TEXTURE-Mostly creamy, a little starchy.

FIRMNESS-The fruit feels firm when ripe, but kind of melts in the mouth

SWEETNESS-Moderately sweet.

TARTNESS-Somewhat tart, about like a Brazilian.

RIPENESS-Taste yellow ripe with some spots on the peel. It’s better than less ripe with some green at the tips.

FLAVOR-Like a Mysore crossed with a Brazilian. Not quite as tangy as Mysore, but similar kind of berry taste. Not sure how else to describe the taste. But given that Mysore and Brazilian are some of my favorite, it’s a great combination.

OTHER-Somewhat thin peel. Fruit are generally a bit larger than on Mysore. The bunch, especially for being the first was much larger than I usually get for Mysore.

OVERALL RATING-8.5 I had a few of these a year or so ago and just thought they were ok, like a Mysore with half the taste taken away. These ones I grew myself are like a Mysore with maybe ¼ of the taste removed with a more tropical, Brazilian taste and texture mixed in. I really wish I had some ripe Mysore to compare side by side. I think I have to give the texture nod to Pisang Raja. After my first taste last time I decided to leave it as 1 of these planted. I was wrong, I need to plant more. These are definitely in my top 10.

SUGGESTED USE-out of hand ripe.

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Chipb2

Any seeds inside?

Mark Dragt

Thanks for the report. Looks like a nice bunch.

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robguz24

No seeds.

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Juicy Bananas

How do you like it compared to the Awak?

venturabananas

Rob, I suspect that what have under the name Pisang Raja is actually a strain of Mysore. That was my reaction to the photos and description of "Pisang Raja" in the Kepler and Rust book, and yours sounds just like their description. According to Jeff Daniels, Pisang Raja has retained bracts and male flowers below the bunch -- and doesn't look a whole lot like Mysore. I don't know if yours had a messy rachis like Daniels says this cultivar should, but the photos of "Pisang Raja" in the Kepler and Rust book do not. I'm inclined to believe Daniels on this one.

I hope Gabe will weigh in on this one.

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Gabe15

I tend to agree. Seems to me like a Mysore cultivar of sorts. See this page for field verified Pisang Rajah 01BEL084243, Pisang Rajah | Musa Germplasm Information System

Rob, I forget if I left you Pisang Raja Bulu, I had it in my collection at some point, but it is is true type of Pisang Raja.

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robguz24

No, we didn't get one of those. Wow, you guys are correct! It does look quite a lot like a Mysore but different enough that it seems different, and I think it is just as in Kepler & Rust. I had always thought that and what I've seen elsewhere, including taste descriptions here made me believe there are 2 different things being called Pisang Raja. Welp, another one I'll have to get some day. Mine looks absolutely nothing like the one you linked to Gabe.

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brod

Is this the same as Musa rajapuri that isinthe wiki?

Gabe15

No, 'Raja Puri' is a different cultivar.

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robguz24

The more bananas I taste, the further and further it falls down my list. I like it much better. If you like Mysore, you'll like this one. If Carter brings Pisang Raja to the store, these are the same, as my plant comes from him.

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Nicolas Naranja

I have a Pisang Raja, it is a tastes good, sweet and tangy. Yield is poor. The flesh is pinkish orange

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