How much is Duan banana per jin? An introduction to its sugar content and taste characteristics
In Pingtung there is a kind of thick and short banana that looks a bit like a "plantain"; its real name is "Duan banana" (also called "sweet banana"), its flesh is bright yellow and its sweetness is high, with a sugar content of about 25%, and one bunch weighs about 1 kg. Qiu Yongfeng, a farmer from Linluo Township, planted 1500 plants, and after overcoming the harm of yellow leaf disease, he is now harvesting a small amount for market; these two days the wholesale price at the Taipei fruit and vegetable market has been around 65 yuan per kg.
Qiu Yongfeng said that the "Duan banana" originated in Vietnam and Thailand, and after improvement by the domestic banana research institute, it is now very suitable for growing in Taiwan's climate. At present it is planted most in central Taiwan's Nantou. Because its disease resistance is not strong, it cannot be widely promoted in Taiwan, but people who have eaten Duan bananas all feel that Duan bananas taste good and keep well, and they turn yellow on their own without needing to be ripened. Some banana farmers always plant a few in their fields to eat themselves or give away. Last year he bought banana seedlings from the banana research institute and began planting 1500 plants on a large scale in his own betel nut orchard. "Summer bananas are soft and not good to eat; its (Duan banana's) texture is very springy, the flesh color is just like egg yolk, and it keeps very well. After it turns yellow it can start to be eaten, and it has a shelf life of one week. Ordinary Beijiao bananas go watery and unpalatable after three days, but this one does not."
Compared with the bananas commonly seen on the market, the "Duan banana" grows plump and short; although its appearance is unremarkable, it is very cute, and it looks a bit like a "plantain". Qiu Yongfeng said that last winter, he saw the Taipei fruit and vegetable wholesale market auctioning it at 250 yuan per kg, and even more than 300 yuan, so the price was very good, and he decided to plant it on a large scale. These two days the Taipei wholesale price is 65 yuan. Qiu Yongfeng said the price will be higher in winter. Now he has also worked out that Duan bananas should be planted in slightly sandy, well-drained soil, and then they will grow better.
