10-11-2018, 10:44 PM
11-11-2018, 01:50 AM
Reminds me of a story someone told me earlier this week that we (in Europe) don't know the "real taste" of bananas since supposedly the fruit takes on different properties if it's left to ripen on the tree instead of being shipped prematurely. Could have been an urban legend though, but I guess there must be some truth to it?
Anyway, this is a fascinating problem. If this image depicts banana, then in a way it is "too good" or at least better than what we'd expect. But certainly not impossible.
Anyway, this is a fascinating problem. If this image depicts banana, then in a way it is "too good" or at least better than what we'd expect. But certainly not impossible.
11-11-2018, 02:19 AM
Here (SE Asia) there are many different types of edible banana, not all of them yellow. The variety we know best in Europe is one of the largest types and known in Thailand as well-smelling banana.
The most conspicuous part of the young fruit I showed are the huge remains of the purple flower. It is impossible to overlook.
The most conspicuous part of the young fruit I showed are the huge remains of the purple flower. It is impossible to overlook.
11-11-2018, 03:28 AM
Rene, is this from India? 
11-11-2018, 03:50 AM
No. from Thailand.
11-11-2018, 11:32 AM
But does the well smelling banana taste different in its native region?
And on the subject of the flower, that is true, though looking at it globally I'd say the manuscript has a difficult relationship with flowers.
And on the subject of the flower, that is true, though looking at it globally I'd say the manuscript has a difficult relationship with flowers.
11-11-2018, 11:50 AM
Hi Koen Gh,
I wouldn't describe the taste as different. Softer, less starchy, sweeter and more flavor, but the same flavor.
The same is true of the mangoes, pineapples and papayas shipped to Europe.
They're much blander and stiffer than their homegrown counterparts, and less varieties are available, but overall, they doesn't taste like a whole different fruit.
For examples from other varieties, in Europe you can sometimes find the tiny "baby" bananas as well as the plantains. If you taste-tested these with a blindfold on you'd still clearly associate the taste with the banana family, not some other fruit.
I wouldn't describe the taste as different. Softer, less starchy, sweeter and more flavor, but the same flavor.
The same is true of the mangoes, pineapples and papayas shipped to Europe.
They're much blander and stiffer than their homegrown counterparts, and less varieties are available, but overall, they doesn't taste like a whole different fruit.
For examples from other varieties, in Europe you can sometimes find the tiny "baby" bananas as well as the plantains. If you taste-tested these with a blindfold on you'd still clearly associate the taste with the banana family, not some other fruit.
11-11-2018, 03:57 PM
When I took a trip through Mexico (Mazatlan, Teotihuacan, Tasco, Mexico City), everyone warned me not to eat the local foods or buy in local markets. They listed all sorts of reasons for not buying the local food. I can see the reasons for drinking bottled water, but when I went into the marketplaces I was blown away by the quality of the produce. Beautiful, big perfect, flavorful. I bought it and ate it (and didn't get sick). I've never eaten better fruits and vegetables anywhere in North America or Europe. I've never even seen better fruits and vegetables. Maybe I got lucky and was in the right places, but the food was fantastic.