amiart

Ok, I am new with this and have some questions that are stupid-ish...

#1.. Do banana flowers smell like banana ?

#2.. Are there bananas that don't taste like bananas ?

#3.. Do plantains EVER taste good ?

#4.. Do homegrown bananas taste better than store bought ? (like home grown tomatoes ? )

#5.. What is the best soil to grow them in ?

#6.. What are the best bananas for home growers in Zone 7 ?

momoese

#1.. Do banana flowers smell like banana ?
No

#2.. Are there bananas that don't taste like bananas ?
What does a banana taste like?

#3.. Do plantains EVER taste good ?
Yes

#4.. Do homegrown bananas taste better than store bought ? (like home grown tomatoes ? )
Yes

#5.. What is the best soil to grow them in ?
Fertile

#6.. What are the best bananas for home growers in Zone 7 ?
DO, CG are a couple

amiart

ummm taste like those things you buy in the store, I know there are a lot of different varities but was mainly wondering if some had siginficant taste differences from what you buy in the store.

Fertile soil is ? .. lots of organic matter or ?

What are DO and CG ??

Abnshrek

#2 I believe there is a taste list by type in a thread or wiki. I don't know if its accurate however different people have different views..
#5 well draining soil too.. :^)

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trebor

Hey no such thing as a stupid question! Not asking can keep you "stupid"



#1.. Do banana flowers smell like banana ?
Nope .. But when you see all those bees collecting the nectar you should grab a couple of them flower sacks and eat them! Because they taste like banana nectar!

#2.. Are there bananas that don't taste like bananas ?
Nope

.#3 Do plantains EVER taste good ?
Plantains are delicious,outstanding,extra ordinary.. You just need to learn how to cook them
Either green or yellow . I personally dont know what I would ever use to replace them!

#4.. Do homegrown bananas taste better than store bought ? (like home grown tomatoes ? )
Exactly you allow them to stay on plant till you see a little color change and WAMMO much better

#5.. What is the best soil to grow them in ?
Organic matter , Organic fertilizer, well drained full sun! Read up on where they are grown and you will know exactly what soil types are best .. But they grow in all different kinds of soils. Mine are growing in amended sand in Florida. Yes I add organic matter to the soil ( Leaves, grass clippings, fish heads, vegetable scraps, All these things are composted and I shovel it around the plants )

#6.. What are the best bananas for home growers in Zone 7 ?
Haaaa keep on this list and read posts you will soon see plenty of answers to that question... I dont live up there and its best to see what others are growing . Then just get one from some one on the list here

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momoese

Yes, lots of them!

Yes with enough nutrients to support the fast growth of bananas.


Dwarf Orinoco and California Gold are two plants said to be relatively cold tolerant.

amiart

What are some of the taste differences ?

I've tried cooking plantains and they were NOT good and I tried them in a restaurant that made them into a dessert of somekind with caramel and Ice Cream.. again NOT good.. So.. how are you supposed to prepare them ?

momoese

Here is some info we have compiled on taste.
Info:Flavors Of Bananas - Bananas Wiki

Check the banana recipe section for cooking ideas and inspiration.
Banana Recipes - Bananas.org

caliboy1994

One time my mom made fried plantains with cinammon and sugar on them. They were REALLY good.

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Bob3

Dwarf Orinoco is an excellent choice if you've never had a good "cooked" banana; many of mine never make it to 'yellow' before being turned into tostones. You can even make 'em into tostones after they've fully ripened & are at their maximum sugar content. They caramelize very nicely!

Dwarf varieties are usually easier to over-winter, too.

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Recipes & links for Cajun, Creole, & other goodies.

Olafhenny

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bananimal

Where are you in Zone 7?

Nancy

#1.. Do banana flowers smell like banana ?

No, but if you crush parts of the plant, it does small like the peel of an unripe banana.

#2.. Are there bananas that don't taste like bananas ?

I'm guessing the ornamental varieties might not taste like bananas, but otherwise you would certainly recognize them as bananas.

#3.. Do plantains EVER taste good ?

Gee, I sure think so! Fried plantains are delicious.

#4.. Do homegrown bananas taste better than store bought ? (like home grown tomatoes ? )

This is exactly the analogy I use to describe how my bananas taste. Anyone who has ever grown tomatoes knows exactly what I mean: a home-grown tomato just tastes more like a tomato. Grocery store bananas in this country can't compete.

Have fun, and enjoy the beautiful leaves while you're waiting for fruit!

Bananaman88

I just made some deicious tostones to go with baked salmon last night. Love 'em!

Illia

#1.. Do banana flowers smell like banana ?

No.

#2.. Are there bananas that don't taste like bananas ?

Technically no, but you'd be surprised how different most taste from your typical storebought Cavendish

#3.. Do plantains EVER taste good ?

Certainly, it's all about how you cook it and how ripe it is as well as how you like yours.

#4.. Do homegrown bananas taste better than store bought ? (like home grown tomatoes ? )

Definitely. And just like tomatoes, there's many varieties that taste waay better than your typical commercial varieties.

#5.. What is the best soil to grow them in ?

They're pretty tolerant on pH but it is best you have a very very rich soil in nutrients, well drained, and plenty of waterings. Best to supply them with manure, compost, etc. Most commercial fertilizers focus on so few elements, you lose out on both flavor and vigor.

#6.. What are the best bananas for home growers in Zone 7 ?

Ones that you're willing to dig up in the winter and store in a frost-free, cool, dry area.

trebor

Ha ha Ya got to love them things! I made some last week to feed my neighbor, she had never had them. Thing is she was not aware of what I made .. She chowed down on them

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