Red Banana

A Red Banana, also known as a Red Dacca Banana, is a variety of banana that is characterised by its reddish-purple skin and sweeter, more fragrant flavour compared to the more common yellow Cavendish banana. The fruit is believed to have originated in the Philippines and is now grown in tropical regions around the world.

The Red Banana is typically in season all year round. When is a Red Banana ripe? It will have a bright red colour, and is soft to the touch. To store it, keep at room temperature until ripe, then can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week. To aid the ripening process, the bananas can be kept in a brown bag in a dark cupboard. 

The Red Banana is very versatile and allows for various uses, including as a snack, in baked goods, and in smoothies. When eaten fresh, Red Bananas provide a sweet alternative to traditional yellow bananas and can be enjoyed on their own or added to fruit salads for a colourful touch. In baked goods such as breads, muffins, and smoothies, Red Bananas add a sweet and tangy flavour while their firm texture helps to keep the baked goods moist. They can also be blended with other fruits and liquids to create a delicious and nutritious smoothie.

In terms of recipes, they are a great addition to smoothies, pies, and banana bread. They can also be sautéed with some butter and brown sugar for a delicious side dish or a topping for ice cream. They are also used in traditional Filipino cuisine where they are often used as an ingredient in desserts such as halo-halo or banana cue.