Ripening Standards for Nanyang Red Bananas, How to Ripen Them, and How They Differ from Ordinary Bananas

There are a great many varieties of bananas, and among them the red banana is a particularly delicious fruit. Today the editor will introduce to everyone: How can you tell when a Nanyang red banana is ripe and ready to eat? How do you ripen it? Which is better, it or an ordinary banana? What are the differences?

1. How can you tell when a Nanyang red banana is ripe and ready to eat?

Red bananas are actually not very different from ordinary bananas. Apart from the different color of the skin, they are just like yellow bananas in that you have to wait until they are soft to a certain degree before eating them, otherwise an unripe one will be astringent in the mouth.

2. How do you ripen red bananas?

1. Unripe bananas can be ripened with incense. This method was often used in the past, and it is very simple: put a large number of unripe bananas in a small room, then light incense inside. Once the smoke inside reaches a certain concentration, close the doors and windows tightly. After two days, take the bananas out, and in about five days the bananas will be fully ripe.

2. Ripening unripe bananas with ethephon is also a common method. This ethephon is a low-toxicity chemical. After placing the bananas, you just spray it onto the surface. After spraying, cover the bananas with plastic sheeting. Remove the plastic sheeting after one day, then wait about two more days, and the bananas will have been ripened successfully.

3. The above two methods are for ripening large quantities of unripe bananas and are not suitable for use at home. When you have bought bananas at home and want to ripen them, the best method is to put the bananas in a plastic bag after buying them, then add two apples or pears, tie the opening tightly, and place it near a radiator. After two or three days, the bananas will naturally ripen fully and can be taken out to eat.

3. Which is better, red bananas or ordinary bananas?

The nutritional value of red bananas and yellow bananas is actually about the same, it is just that red bananas cost a bit more.

4. What are the differences between red bananas and ordinary bananas?

Red bananas are also called Nanyang red bananas, and they have an even nicer commercial name, “Imperial Concubine Banana.” Ordinary yellow-skinned bananas are green when unripe and gradually turn yellow as they ripen; red bananas, however, have red skin even when unripe. Compared with yellow bananas, red bananas keep better in storage. Because their yield is extremely low, their price is high.

Red bananas have relatively high nutritional value and a relatively high carbohydrate content, mostly fructose, at 28.9 grams per 100 grams, second only to coconut among tropical fruits, and they can satisfy hunger. They contain 1.2 grams of protein per 100 grams, and are high in minerals such as potassium, magnesium, selenium and manganese. They are also rich in dietary fiber, resistant starch and pectin. Research has found that the dopamine in bananas has a supporting effect on the prevention and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The flesh and peel of red bananas also contain active substances such as phenolic compounds, flavonoids, carotenoids and catecholamines, with health benefits such as anti-ulcer, anti-diarrheal, blood-sugar-lowering, anti-tumor, anti-depressant and antioxidant effects; the stems, leaves and flowers of red bananas also have certain nutritional value and medicinal value.