Every part of a banana tree is useful in some or another way. You can eat the flowers, fruit, and stems of the banana trees, its leaves can be used as plates and the bark can be used to make paper.
Banana flowers are also known as banana hearts and are loaded with lots of fiber, protein, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, phosphorus & Vitamin E. These beautiful flowers can be consumed raw or cooked and added to soups, salads, and stir-fries.
Banana flower is quite big in size and grows from the end of the bunch of bananas & has a dark purple redbud. The small flowers is found on the inside part that later turns into the banana. Banana flower is starchy and bitter in taste. Banana flower has been a part of different cuisines in India that includes Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra & West Bengal.
Banana Flower Benefits
Banana flowers offer many health benefits which are as follows:
Rich source of Vitamin & minerals
The banana flowers are loaded with Vitamin C, A, E, fiber & potassium that are the sources of healthy nutrients. These are essential for the healthy development of the body and mind.
Cures infection
The banana flower helps in treating infection because it has ethanol flowers that further prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. It can cure the injury as well. The extracts of the banana flower also help to prevent the growth of malaria parasites.
Good for Cancer and Heart disease
Banana flowers are a rich source of acids, tannins, flavonoids & other antioxidants that helps to counteract free radicals and remove the oxidative damage which leads to cancer & heart disease. People with cancer and heart problems must consume banana flowers.
Overcomes diabetes and anemia
People with diabetes should eat banana flowers either boiled or raw so that it reduces the level of blood sugar & raise the hemoglobin in their body. The banana flower is very rich in fiber and iron which helps in red blood cell production.
Improves Mood & Reduce Anxiety
The magnesium present in banana flowers helps in improving your mood and also reduces anxiety. These flowers serve as anti-depressants without giving any side effects.
Improves lactation
The banana flower helps in maintaining a healthy uterus, restricts constipation during pregnancy, and thus promotes lactation. You can combine it with other spices to make its taste even better.
Supports Menstrual Health
Cooked banana flowers can help you deal with pain in the abdomen and also reduce menstrual bleeding. If you eat it with yogurt or curd, these flowers will increase the progesterone hormone in your body & reduce bleeding.
Anti-aging power
The banana flower helps in encountering the free radicals and treats the health issues related to it such as cancer and early aging.
How to select a Banana flower
You must always purchase the firm and fresh banana flower. The flower should be free from any cuts or blemishes, with a smooth appearance. Make sure that the overlapping of outer leaves is tight.
How to store Banana flower
Fresh one should be used in a day or two. If you wish to use it later then it should be wrapped in transparent plastic paper or cover in zip lock bags and then store it in the refrigerator.
The food you can make from banana flower
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Banana flower fried rice
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Banana Blossom Salad
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Banana flower fritter
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Banana flower cutlet
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Banana flower curry etc.
You can order banana flowers online from Bigbasket, Amazon, etc, and also get them from your nearby grocery shops. I hope after reading this article you will surely taste banana flowers once...
