India is the world’s largest banana producer with an annual output of 24.8 million tonnes followed by China, Philippines, Ecuador and Brazil accounting for about 22 per cent of the global banana production. The waste produced after the harvest of fruits from the banana trees are creating a huge market potential for over the last few years. The millions of stem waste produced is used for obtaining fibers that could replace the other natural and synthetic fibers considering the pollution aspect synthetic fibers. Not only the banana fibers obtained from the stem is explored in the market for textiles but also, they serve the taste buds of people across the country in the form of delicious foods and recipes prepared from banana stem along with the fruits of the banana plant.
The banana plant, commonly found in hot tropical regions, grows easily without any chemicals or pesticides. All kinds of banana plants are abundant in fibers. Technically, a banana tree is actually a large herbaceous plant (plants with no persistent woody stem above the ground) and the stem is actually a flower stalk)
ADDING FLAVORS OF YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE BANANA IN YOUR RECIPES
The numerous health benefits along with its unique texture and flavor of banana stem has remarkably favored the fruit plant and its waste products use in the food industry.
DELICIOUS EDIBLE BANANA STEM
Banana stems rich in fibers, are edible and tasty. Banana stem combines the goodness of potassium and vitamin B6. This helps it combat cholesterol and high blood pressure. It’s favored in ayurvedic diets for its detoxification properties and is also one of the best-known diuretics. It’s been known to prevent and treat kidney stones. It’s also a regular feature in South Indian kitchens during the summer for its cooling properties. The central core of the stem can be used for making pickle, candy, and soft drink.
Banana stem juice controls blood sugar levels, and so it is great for those who have diabetes. It is easily prepared by soaking the banana stem for an hour after chopping into smaller pieces or can be blended in a mixer and serving it after straining out the fibers and adding lime or any other mild flavoring agent. In many South Indian homes, it is used in butter milk preparation by adding its flavors.
A Banana stem recipe is a pachadi (or a raita) that is a popular recipe across South India which makes a great accompaniment to rice with sambar or rasam especially on a hot summer’s day.
Banana Stem Thoran is another healthy recipe which combines a generous amount of grated coconut with banana stem and is served as part of an elaborate Kerala sadhya or home meal along with rice and accompaniments.
GLUTEN -FREE BANANA FLOUR IN THE MARKET
Green banana flour or banana flour is a powder made from peeled unripe bananas which has low sugar content and are dried and grounded and finally packaged for consumption. The best part is, it contains no additives and preservatives. It is the latest entry to the world of super foods and is power-packed with essential nutrients and health benefits as it involves little or no use of chemicals.
The high resistant starch content of green banana makes it an appropriate alternative to wheat flour and a perfect dough can be prepared for cooking and baking purposes. It can be used like any other grain-free flour for making bread, tortilla, pasta, and even cake.
DID YOU KNOW PEELS OF UNRIPE BANANAS ARE EDIBLE TOO?
The use of green peels of bananas that are about to ripe soon as your side dish is also possible. The edible peels of raw plantains called cooking bananas; a banana cultivar is the most perfect to be used in a stir fry. It is a tasty, healthy, nutrient-rich and tasty side dish for lunch. This is a popular dish in many parts of South India.
EDIBLE BANANA BLOSSOMS
Banana flowers are healthy, edible and fibrous. It is rich in Calcium, Potassium, along with Vitamins A, C and E. They can be either cooked or eaten as salads. It has same aromatic profile as Banana but much more delicate, which cooks faster and easily.
BIODEGRADABLE LEAF PLATTERS TO SERVE THESE DELICIOUS DISHES
Banana leaves are large and long enough to serve a full meal with lots of dishes. Traditionally, banana leaves were used to serve food in South Indian be easily disposed of after lunch or dinner, and since they are natural plant leaves, they are eco-friendly too
STEM FIBERS ALSO BRINGING A SUSTAINABLE INNOVATION IN TEXTILES
The fibers are obtained from the stem of the banana plant after the fruit is harvested. Banana fiber, also known as musa fiber made from the stem of the banana tree is one of the world’s strongest natural fibers which is biodegradable and durable too. Banana fibers can be used to make ropes, mats, woven fabrics as well as handmade paper, bags, cushion covers, neck ties etc. One company based on the island of Kosrae, Micronesia, named Green Banana Paper, is using banana fiber to make vegan wallets, purses, beads, paper. Nepalese hand-knotted banana silk fiber rugs are made from bleached and dried banana fibers. These rugs are renowned all over the world. The fibers make for very strong paper, that can replace non-bio degradable or animal-based materials in certain industrial and fashion applications.
CONCLUSION
A concept of Wealth from Waste can be used to describe the use of waste product of banana cultivation for various purposes in food industry mainly the healthy and delicious recipes grabbing the whole world’s attention and the natural craft materials and garments made from the banana fibers in the field of textiles producing an alternative for other synthetic fibers responsible for degrading the environment. The effective waste management system of banana plants also creating a scope of employment opportunities in rural and urban areas