Bananas

Bananas were introduced to the Americas by Portuguese sailors who brought the fruits from West Africa in the 16th century. They are edible fruits that are variable in size, color, and firmness, but are usually elongated and curved. And although not necessarily superior in flavor or production quality, this fruit can still be utilized as an ingredient in smoothies, yogurts, cakes, muffins, breads, ice cream, cookies, pudding and more! As a matter of fact, bananas are curved because they go through a unique process known as negative geotropism. Instead of continuing to grow towards the ground, they start to turn towards the sun. In other words, the fruit grows against gravity, giving the banana its familiar curved shape. Did you know that the yellow sweet bananas that we all know and love are actually a mutant strain of plantains (i.e. cooking bananas), and were discovered in 1836 by a Jamaican farmer named Jean Francois Poujot? Nutritionally, bananas are well known for their potassium rich flesh, and their exceptional richness in other nutrient health boosters as well, including vitamin B, C, fiber, and magnesium. Besides, these unique fruits can help moderate blood sugar levels after meals and may reduce appetite by slowing stomach emptying.