Bananas and plantains both belong to the genus Musa, and their stems, leaves, and fruits are similar, which leads many people to confuse them. However, with careful observation, there are certain differences between bananas and plantains. How can you tell them apart?
The color, aroma, taste, and shape of bananas and plantains are very similar. To distinguish them, you need to look at their appearance, color, and taste.
1. In terms of appearance, bananas are curved like a crescent, have a short stalk, and 5 to 6 ridges on their peel. Plantains are thinner at both ends and thicker in the middle, with one side slightly flat and the other slightly curved, resembling a "circle with a missing segment". They have a longer stalk and 3 ridges on their peel.
2. In terms of color, unripe bananas are green and turn yellow when ripe, often with brown spots. Their flesh is yellowish-white, and the cross-section is nearly circular. Plantain peels are grayish-yellow, have no spots when ripe, and their flesh is milky-white with a flat, circular cross-section.
3. In terms of taste, bananas have a rich aroma and a sweet flavor. Plantains are also sweet but have a slightly sour aftertaste.
4. In terms of their nature, bananas are "heaty" (hot in nature) while plantains are "cooling" (cold in nature) and sweet. Those with a "heaty" constitution can eat plantains, while those with a "cooling" constitution can eat more bananas.
5. In terms of their trees, banana trees are relatively "short and stout" with broad leaves, thick stalks, and greenish stems and leaves covered in a white bloom. Plantain trees are more "tall and slender" with narrower leaves, thinner stalks, and yellowish-green stems and leaves without a white bloom.