Content
- Wanted: Interesting facts about the banana
- History and origin
- Flowers and fruits
- use
- Economical meaning
- Tips & Tricks
Wanted: Interesting facts about the banana
In the botanical sense, the banana tree is a perennial. It impresses with a height of 6 to 9 meters. The leaves grow up to 6 meters long. Learn more about the flowering, origin and use of Musa.
History and origin
The banana is one of the oldest cultivated plants on earth. Already during the prehistoric epoch, historians recorded their cultivation. During the first century AD, it succeeded to Africa through Arabs.
Consequently, the name "banana" has its roots in Arabic. In the German translation, the word means "finger". For the first time botanist Carl von Linné named it after the Italian doctor Antonius Musa.
In the 15th century, the Musa spread with the Portuguese to South America, Europe and the Canary Islands.
Flowers and fruits
The axis of the enchanting banana blossoms reaches a length of up to one meter. This is where yellowish flowers develop. Hummingbirds, fruit bats, bats or swarmers pollinate these flowers.
From flowering to fruit, about 14 to 18 months pass. The ripening of the fruit requires an average of 3 months in the (sub-) tropical climate. The wild banana impresses with large seeds. In contrast, the crop produces relatively large fruits without seeds.
use
The Musa is divided into three different varieties:
The yellow fruit banana is very common in this country with its wholesome, sweet taste. In contrast, the plantain is an important part of the daily diet, especially in the growing countries. The resistant fibers of ilbanane are still an important ingredient in the production of ropes and paper.
Economical meaning
In world trade, the banana is positioned as an elementary export commodity directly behind corn, wheat and sugar. The most important export countries are in Central and South America. Costa Rica, Honduras, Panama and Ecuador come first.
From there they are shipped to Europe shortly before maturing. In Germany, the annual per capita consumption is 18 kilograms.
Tips & Tricks
The banana enriches the Central European diet in many ways. As fresh fruit, dried or frozen, it delights all generations.
FT