Koni's Curious Corner

How ripe do you like your bananas? For myself, I like them a little on the green side of the Banana Ripeness scale. I think it’s the tartness I like. But, is there a difference in the ripeness versus the goodness it adds to our diets? Meaning, I have wondered if the banana has any correlation to dietary value when it comes to ripeness? So, I decided to look into it and share my findings with you here.

The Banana Ripeness Factor

Going from green to yellow with brown spots, bananas are the #2 eaten fruit in the country. And not only that, but they contain a few nutrients that most people are familiar with, like fiber, potassium, vitamin B6, and vitamin C. Thus, making the Banana a super fruit, in my opinion. Maybe because I like them so much. And, my husband will only eat this fruit. 

He doesn’t like others much, but maybe some canned peaches? And, for me, warm banana bread is the best breakfast with a little melted butter on top. Mmm…! Especially on a chilled morning. So many recipes are out there that include or highlight Bananas. You could spend all day searching online for recipes, probably to infinity…just saying! However, here I want to focus on the various uses of bananas based on the different ripeness levels and health benefits.

So, most ripeness charts I found stick to just a handful of ripeness verbiage; underripe, barely ripe, ripe, very ripe and overripe are the popular few. But some may say, based on the ripeness level, it can give you different health benefits. Which for me, sounded really amazing and interesting.

Banana Ripeness Levels and Health Benefits.

Researching the subject was enlightening. Nonetheless, as a fruit overall, eating a banana at any of the below stages is definitely good for you. Simply choose what you like or what benefits you the most for your own health. I have sorted each with first the texture & color; then the health benefits; followed by some negatives at both ends of the spectrum.

Overripe ~ mushy on the inside and starting to shrivel on the outside; lots of brown spots or all brown. ~Higher in sugar than the young fruit. Best in recipes, especially when baking. And as mashed, it works great to help substitute half the butter. Kids love these due to the sweetness level. However, this could be its downside for those watching their sugar intake.

Very Ripe ~ has become somewhat soft; brown spots are beginning to spread across the fruit.~Sweetness levels have gone up along with the antioxidant levels. Also, digestion can be helped at this level. Good for most recipes.

Ripe ~ the perfect balance of firm and soft! This is optimal with a beautiful yellow color with possibly a few brown spots beginning to show up.~Starch and sweetness is at its best balance. Micronutrients are present like antioxidants, vitamin b6 and potassium. (I just may have to wait a little longer to get all the potassium goodness!)

Barely Ripe ~ balancing more on the side of firm but not totally hard anymore. The beautiful yellow color is highlighted through some leftover green color. (My favorite.)~Great with prebiotic fiber for better gut health. Also contains less sugar meaning less carbs.

Underripe ~ some yellow is starting to shine through the brilliant green color of the growing fruit. And, this is what I would consider hard, with not much give when squeezed.~Highest in fiber than all the rest. Healthiest gut microbiome; possibly while helping with some weight loss. And, if you have blood sugar issues, this could assist in controlling those. However, it can taste bitter and the hardness can be an issue too for recipes.

Well wow! That was really informative and makes sense. So, the next time you get ready to eat a banana, check on how you are feeling and your health needs to see which Banana Ripeness Level you should choose! Makes just eating a banana a whole lot more than simply grabbing one and eating it. Really, right?

For now, and for the past majority of my life, every time I think about or purchase bananas; I’m reminded about this childhood memory. I’m sharing it with you below. I won’t give anything away for those here in the community that will read until the end, but you’ll definitely understand why I will never forget it! So, community peeps or anyone else visiting and wants to continue on, here’s my story. 

My Chiquita Banana Childhood Story:

When I was a child in grade school, about 5th or 6th grade, we had a contest. It was amongst the different classes, in one of those we moved around to; in order to prepare us for Junior High School. If I remember right, we had 3 or 4 classes we moved to, but spent the majority of our time in our home rooms. 

So anyway, the contest was from the 4 or 5 classes, from the same subject, we had to see who could win a skit contest. Each group got together and came up with their own small skit and our team added our own song too! Each group was less than 3-5 minutes. Very Fun!

Now, every group went and was pretty good. Fortunately, we were the last to perform our skit with a song. We were all so very nervous just before starting, as we knew what we had to perform may be a little controversial. However, we all as a group knew it was all in fun. But the anticipation of what our teachers may think drove our curiosity to nervous stomachs.

And Now, the Chiquita Banana Skit.

Finally, our class group got up and started the skit. Wrapping it up with our song that had created prior curiosity with all the giggling we did. So much of trying not to give anything away, crazy right! We belted it out together with so much conviction, they may have thought we were serious, but it just came out that way. And, it went like this…

By the way, this was fully animated with the skit that went along with the song. Go ahead and go back and sing it. Only this time, visualize it yourself actually happening. I’m sorry, it still makes me laugh to this day. And, no, we did not wish our teachers to actually be dead. It was kid comedy folks! Come on?

Further, you may ask why we used the Chiquita Banana? I think that’s because of the great television marketing done in the 1970’s. I know I’m dating myself. But, the commercials for these were great. Who doesn’t love a polynesian looking dancer with a pile of fruit on her head, focusing on the bananas? Thus, having this all come to mind every time I eat or even think about bananas. Now, singing in my head the little diddy, that’s BANANAS!!!

So there, you have it! Definitely a difference than what I first thought. And I am so happy to be sharing this information with the community here. Just some basics to consider as you purchase your next bunch of bananas. And, maybe you’ll be thinking about my little diddy I shared with everyone here. Thanks again for stopping by!

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