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The banana is probably one the most popular fruits around. And it has been around for a very long time! Southeast Asian farmers started domesticating bananas, the process dates back as far as 8000 B.C.. Bananas were then brought to Africa and the Middle East. This sweet, yellow fruit came to the Americas with Portuguese sailors in the 16th century. Most bananas today are grown in India, and in other parts of the world where it is sunny and warm.
Today’s banana that you find in the grocery store originates from two wild bananas, known as Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana. These wild bananas contained seeds, but those you find now just have very small seeds that we all swallow without a second thought! Let’s take a moment to recognize the hard work and effort of the banana plant: it takes about 6-8 months for that banana to grow into the bunch that you’ll pick up at the store this week for that delicious smoothie.
The banana is a great choice if you are looking to add nutrients to your smoothie. Your banana is chock-filled with B6. The yellow fruit is also a good source for vitamin C, potassium and manganese.
Try to eat your banana before it has lots of black spots on the outside. We all know bananas ripen, starting as green and then turning yellow and then going black. Once they are covered with black spots, their sugar content raises to a very high level. Everyone has their opinion about what the “perfect” banana is – but if you are making a healthy smoothie – you may want to keep our tip in mind!
Just peel and add to your blender. The banana has a mild, sweet flavor that is very pleasing for many. It is often a favorite addition to smoothies. Give it a try if you are making smoothies for the kids or the family. This is a great, kid-friendly ingredient they will easily recognize. It is the perfect choice for that picky eater who doesn’t “like” other fruits and veggies, and adding a banana to a smoothie may encourage them to give smoothies a try.
Many like bananas in a smoothie because with a mild, sweet taste they compliment many other ingredients, from fruits to veggies. You can easily get a sweeter tasting smoothie or one with a lighter sweet taste that you’ll enjoy.
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