Burro Bananas
Burro bananas are believed to be the original banana and therefore are deemed superior to common bananas. Burro banana is named after the word ‘burro’ in Spanish, meaning donkey, because it is short and stubby.
They are flatter, smaller, and seeded. The green burro bananas are starchy like a potato. When they are ripened, the flesh turns to a creamy and soft texture.
Bananas are one of the most popular fruits all around the world. However, in actuality, we should say they are the most popular berries! Even though they are known and consumed as a fruit, bananas are actually botanically classified as the berries of the banana plant.
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Nutrients in Bananas
As everyone knows bananas are a great source of potassium. This is one of the most important minerals in the body; Potassium not only helps regulate the fluid balance in the body, the muscle contractions, and the nerves signals, but it also helps manage blood pressure. This reduces the strain on the cardiovascular system, which consequently will help to prevent heart and circulation diseases.
Bananas are also rich in water and fiber, both of which promote regularity and encourage digestive health which is central for the body to develop a strong immune system; in fact, most of our immune defenses are generated in the intestines, therefore digestive issues and heaviness can affect our immune system making us more vulnerable to illnesses.
Moreover, bananas are also a source of Lectin which is a protein that acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants help the body remove molecules known as free radicals which are the cause of aging and degenerative conditions.
Can You Eat Banana Peels?
Although we’re only used to throwing away the banana peel once we’ve eaten the fruit, we should actually be aware that the peel actually has various properties that can make it useful in many different ways.
Banana peels are not only edible, but they also contain higher amounts of potassium than the fruit itself. They are also an important source of fiber and essential amino acids. Once the banana peel has been washed and lightly boiled, it can be added to a number of recipes to increase its nutritional value.
Moreover, banana peels can be used to polish shoes if rubbed on them, it can help soothe insect bites if rubbed on the skin and it is also used to purify water and as a powerful fertilizer.
Are Bananas Alkaline?
Unfortunately, like most fruits and vegetables, bananas have been crossed and modified to create selected strains that are considered better for commercial purposes. Therefore, even though all varieties are still a good source of potassium and vitamins, usually just the smallest size ones, such as the burro bananas, are suggested in Alkaline Diets. This is because they are usually natural original strains.
The most commonly known variety of bananas found in stores is the Cavendish variety, a man-made cultivar. They are seedless, meaning the fruit cannot be used to reproduce naturally. Instead, the banana plants need to be propagated.
Where Do Bananas Grow?
Despite bananas being available all around the world, they can actually be cultivated only in certain conditions and hot climates zones. Therefore, most bananas available in supermarkets are imported from other countries.
To do so, they are often picked early so that they ripen up when they arrive at the destination. Some companies force the bananas to ripe, and this not only will affect the minerals and nutrients levels contained in the fruits but will also change the taste.
Because of the fact that bananas produce ethylene during their natural ripening process, companies that import bananas often push them to ripe on arrival by putting them in air-tight rooms which are then filled with ethylene gas to induce ripening.
Why Buy Local Produce?
The common yellow color that bananas have in the supermarket is, in fact, caused by the artificial ripening process. Flavor, texture, and nutritional values are also affected by ripening temperature.
Not getting the banana from its original place can actually ruin your overall experience and affect the benefits of this amazing fruit. Unfortunately, this applies not only to bananas but also to any food that is not original to the country we live in.
This is the reason why alkaline vegan diets not only highlight the list of foods that you should or shouldn’t eat, but also specify that one should eat naturally grown fruits and vegetables that are native to the country we live in. These natively grown fruits and veggies are both healthy and originally alkaline, and therefore have the best nutritional combination that would suit our body the most.
Burro Banana
Different varieties of bananas are cultivated in different parts of the world. The Burro banana is native to Central America. They are also very popular in the Philippines, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
Burro bananas are shorter, sturdier, and more chunky than common bananas. They are seeded and have distinct edges and their peel is a rich, vivid, dark green. It turns deep yellow with characteristic black spots when ripe.
Although they seem very similar, Burro bananas should not be confused with mini, Thai, or baby bananas; the easiest way to recognize a burro is probably by looking at its defined rigid edges.
What makes burros special over other bananas is that they are the original alkaline ones. They are not hybridized nor genetically modified, they are highly nutritional healthier than other varieties of bananas.
Burro is also very fluffy in taste and it’s very different from other bananas in texture. It’s not as sweet as regular bananas, it’s a little milder and very creamy. It can be eaten unripe as plantain or ripe as a fruit or mixed into different recipes.
Due to its characteristics, burro banana blends well in fruit salads and baking cakes. This is because the flavor doesn’t dominate the rest of the ingredients.
Burro Banana Benefits
The burro is the original banana and the benefits are good eyes and brain health, helps build muscle, kidney disorders. It also prevents constipation, is high in fiber, high in iron, and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Burro bananas have very little fat and are very low in calories. They are high in potassium and also contain a significant amount of vitamin B, vitamin C, and fiber. They also contain amounts of phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, and selenium.
Therefore, burro bananas can be considered one of the most complete sources of essential minerals that our body needs.
A green burro is perfect as a potato replacement and can easily be used in soups, fried as chips, or used in many other savory recipes.
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I picked them up on a whim, and I’m so glad to learn that they have even more health properties than the traditional Cavendish or plantain. I’m still deciding if I will eat them raw or use them cooked.
Diana, I love them both ripened or unripened and cooked.
Hi Michelle,
Dr Sebi’s list is made up of the foods that are least detrimental to out health. He chose the foods that we could find here and are the closest to nature. Does not mean that they are not hybridized.If you look at the list a lot of the foods are indeed hybrids as most of our here foods are. He did not focus on that. He chose which ones were best for our health. Most people when they hear hybrid they think gmo but farmers have been taking plants and putting them together for centuries.Gmo is done in a lab. Apples are one of the most hybridized fruit and it’s on his list. as are other fruits. I look for heirloom apples at my local farmers market. Heirloom foods are not hybridize. So don’t focus too much on the hybrid part just on how better these are for our health on the wider scale.
Thank you Denise for your comment, you make a lot of sense. I’m not an expert, so I’m learning about the other different vegan diets like Alkaline, keto vegan, etc. I love how you differentiate hybridize foods from genetically modified ones. I’m actually going to do a post in the future about hybridization to explain the difference between natural and artificial hybridation. I really appreciate your feedback.
Thank you for the banana description and additional info. I recall seeing BURRO banana on Dr. Sebi’s list of alkaline foods but only find them sporadically in my area. I see BABY bananas often but certain they are not the same. Great article
Regina, I’m happy you enjoyed the article. I’m actually been reading a lot more lately about Dr Sebi’s list, I have watched his videos for many years now.
Thanks for the knowledge because I didn’t know that, there was an original bananas