What is the plantain?
Q: What is the plantain?
A: The plantain is a crop from the genus Musa. Its fruits are edible and generally used for cooking, which is different from the soft and sweet banana (which is often called dessert banana).
Q: Where did primary cultivation of plantains originate?
A: Primary cultivation of plantains originated in Southeast Asia.
Q: How do certain species of plants get their names?
A: Certain species of plants get their names based on how they are used; for example, cooking plantain, banana plantain, beer banana, bocadillo plantain (the little one), etc.
Q: Are dessert bananas usually eaten raw or cooked?
A: Dessert bananas are usually eaten raw; whereas, plantains are usually cooked or otherwise processed before they are eaten.
Q: What regions grow Plantains?
A: Regions that grow Plantains include the Southern United States, the Caribbean, Central America, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Southern Brazil, the Canary Islands, Madeira , Egypt , Cameroon , Nigeria , Uganda , Okinawa , Kerala and Taiwan .
Q: How does a Plantain taste compared to a potato?
A: Plantains have a similar taste to potatoes.
Q: How far north can farmers grow Plantains ?
A: Farmers can grow Plantains as far north as Northern California and as far south as KwaZulu-Natal.
