The Most Popular Type of Banana, Ranked

Choose the type you think is the most popular!

Author: Gregor Krambs
Updated on May 3, 2024 06:52
In the world of fruit, bananas hold a special place due to their versatility and taste. However, not all bananas are created equal, and with so many varieties to choose from, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to try. That's why creating a ranking of the most popular types based on collective preferences is incredibly useful. It helps both new and seasoned banana enthusiasts navigate this delightful array of choices. On this site, your votes directly shape the rankings of the different banana types, reflecting real-time preferences and popularity. Each vote brings clarity and helps others make informed decisions about which bananas might suit their taste the best. By participating, you contribute not just to a dynamic listing, but also to a broader community of banana lovers who rely on each other's experiences and recommendations.

What Is the Most Popular Type of Banana?

  1. 1
    53
    votes
    Cavendish banana
    Augustus BinuĀ : flickr · CC BY-SA 3.0
    The Cavendish banana is the most popular type of banana worldwide, accounting for over half of global banana production. It is known for its consistent taste, texture, and size.
    The Cavendish banana is a popular type of banana that is widely consumed globally. It is a cultivar of the wild banana species called Musa acuminata. The Cavendish banana became popular due to its resistance to a strain of Panama disease, which affected the previously popular Gros Michel banana variety.
    • Origin: Native to Southeast Asia, particularly Malaysia and the Philippines.
    • Appearance: The Cavendish banana has a bright yellow color and a slightly curved shape.
    • Size: Typically measures around 6 to 8 inches in length.
    • Taste: It has a sweet and creamy flavor with a mild tanginess.
    • Availability: It is available year-round in most markets.
  2. 2
    31
    votes
    Gros Michel banana
    Zwifree · CC BY 4.0
    The Gros Michel banana was once the most popular type of banana until it was nearly wiped out by a fungal disease in the 1950s. Although it is no longer widely grown, it is still popular in some countries for its superior taste and texture.
    The Gros Michel banana, also known as Big Mike, is a cultivar of banana that was once the most popular type of banana in international trade. It was widely grown and consumed until the 1950s when it was largely replaced by the Cavendish banana due to Panama disease, a fungal disease that was devastating to the Gros Michel variety. The Gros Michel banana is known for its rich, sweet flavor and creamy texture, making it a favorite among banana lovers. Although it is no longer commercially viable on a large scale, it can still be found in some regions and is cherished for its unique taste and nostalgic value.
    • Origin: Unknown, but believed to be Southeast Asia
    • Size: Usually between 7-8 inches in length
    • Color: Green when unripe, turning yellow as it ripens
    • Flavor: Rich, sweet, and aromatic
    • Texture: Creamy and smooth
  3. 3
    12
    votes
    Plantain bananas are starchy and used more for cooking than eating raw. They are popular in Latin American, Caribbean, and African cuisines.
    The Plantain banana is a type of banana that is usually larger and sturdier than the typical dessert banana varieties. It is commonly used for cooking due to its firm texture and slightly starchy flavor. Unlike dessert bananas, Plantains are typically consumed when they are unripe or just starting to ripen.
    • Size: Larger than dessert bananas
    • Texture: Firm
    • Flavor: Slightly starchy
    • Ripeness: Consumed when unripe or slightly ripe
    • Common use: Cooking
  4. 4
    17
    votes
    Lady Finger banana
    Maksym Kozlenko · CC BY-SA 4.0
    Lady Finger bananas are smaller than most bananas and have a sweeter taste. They are popular in Australia and some parts of Asia.
    The Lady Finger banana, also known as Sugar banana or Sucrier, is a popular variety of banana that is elongated, slender, and has a thin skin. It is smaller in size compared to other bananas, typically around four to five inches in length. Lady Finger bananas have a creamy texture and a delicate, sweet flavor with hints of honey and citrus.
    • Color: Yellow
    • Size: 4-5 inches
    • Shape: Elongated and slender
    • Skin: Thin
    • Texture: Creamy
  5. 5
    17
    votes
    Red banana
    Nevit Dilmen (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0
    Red bananas have a reddish-purple skin and a sweet, creamy flesh. They are popular in Asia, Africa, and Central America.
    The Red banana is a type of banana known for its vibrant red skin and sweet flavor. It is smaller in size compared to the traditional yellow banana and has a creamy, soft texture when ripe. The red color of the skin is a result of the presence of beta-carotene, which gives it a unique appearance.
    • Size: Smaller compared to yellow bananas
    • Skin Color: Vibrant red
    • Flavor: Sweet
    • Texture: Creamy and soft when ripe
    • Presence of Beta-carotene: Gives it the red color
  6. 6
    13
    votes
    The Blue Java banana is known for its creamy texture and vanilla-like flavor. It is popular in Southeast Asia and Hawaii.
    The Blue Java banana, also known as the Ice Cream banana, is a unique and popular variety of banana known for its sweet flavor and creamy, ice cream-like texture. It is often referred to as the 'Blue Java' due to the bluish color of its peel when unripe, which gradually turns pale yellow as it ripens. When fully ripe, the fruit has a soft and smooth texture with a delightful taste reminiscent of vanilla ice cream.
    • Color: Bluish when unripe, pale yellow when ripe
    • Flavor: Sweet with a hint of vanilla
    • Texture: Creamy and reminiscent of ice cream
    • Size: Similar to regular bananas
    • Growth Period: Approximately 9-12 months
  7. 7
    3
    votes
    Manzano bananas are small and sweet with a hint of apple flavor. They are popular in Mexico and Central America.
    The Manzano banana, also known as the apple banana, is a popular type of banana known for its sweet taste and creamy texture. It is smaller than the typical Cavendish banana and has a distinctive flavor that resembles a mixture of apple and banana.
    • Size: Smaller than the Cavendish banana
    • Flavor: Sweet with hints of apple
    • Texture: Creamy
    • Color: Yellow when ripe, turning dark when overripe
    • Availability: Year-round in tropical regions
  8. 8
    8
    votes
    Burro bananas are small and blocky with a lemony flavor. They are popular in Mexico and some parts of South America.
    The Burro banana, also known as the Orinoco banana, is a popular type of banana known for its versatile characteristics and distinctive flavor. It belongs to the Cavendish subgroup of bananas, alongside the more common Cavendish banana. The Burro banana is small to medium in size, with a stubby and squat shape. It features a thick, bright yellow peel that turns black when fully ripe, often with noticeable black spots and mottling. The flesh of the Burro banana is firm, creamy, and pale yellow when ripe, offering a slightly tangy and lemon-like flavor.
    • Size: Small to medium
    • Shape: Stubby and squat
    • Peel Color: Bright yellow (turns black when fully ripe)
    • Peel Texture: Thick
    • Flesh Color: Pale yellow
  9. 9
    14
    votes
    Apple bananas are small and sweet with a hint of apple flavor. They are popular in Hawaii and some parts of Asia.
    The Apple banana, also known as the Manzano banana, is a popular type of banana with a unique taste and texture. It is smaller in size compared to traditional bananas and has a squarish shape. The Apple banana gets its name from its apple-like flavor and sweet aroma.
    • Size: Smaller compared to traditional bananas
    • Shape: Squarish
    • Flavor: Apple-like
    • Texture: Creamy and firm
    • Color: Yellow when ripe
  10. 10
    5
    votes
    Pisang Raja bananas are popular in Indonesia for their sweet and fragrant taste. They are often used in desserts and smoothies.
    The Pisang Raja banana, also known as Musa paradisiaca, is a popular type of banana that originated in South East Asia. It is highly regarded for its unique taste, aroma, and texture.
    • Color: It has a vibrant yellow color when ripe.
    • Size: It is relatively small in size, averaging about 5-6 inches in length.
    • Shape: It has a curved shape and is slightly thicker compared to other banana varieties.
    • Taste: Its flavor profile is characterized by a rich, creamy sweetness with hints of citrus.
    • Texture: It has a firm and creamy texture, similar to a custard-like consistency.

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Ranking factors for popular type

  1. Availability
    The availability of the banana can be a factor depending on the region it is being consumed. Some bananas may be popular in certain regions but may not be easily available in other regions.
  2. Texture and consistency
    The texture and consistency of the banana should also be considered. People generally prefer bananas that are firm, easy to peel, and have a creamy and smooth texture.
  3. Nutritional value
    The nutritional value of the banana is also a factor. Bananas that are high in nutrients such as potassium, fiber, and vitamin C are likely to be popular.
  4. Versatility
    The versatility of the banana is also important. Bananas that can be used in a variety of dishes and recipes are likely to be more popular.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most popular type of banana. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or type is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

  • 1479 views
  • 170 votes
  • 10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each type once every 24 hours. The rank of each type is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most popular type of banana

Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits across the world. Not only are they delicious, but they are also packed with vital nutrients like potassium, fiber, and vitamin C. There are many different types of bananas available, each with its own unique taste and texture. Some of the most popular varieties include Cavendish, Lady Finger, and Red. But which type of banana is the most popular? In this article, we will delve deeper into the world of bananas to uncover the answer to this age-old question.

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