The “blue banana” is a captivating fruit, known for its unusual color and appealing qualities. While its vibrant hue might suggest an artificial creation, this unique banana is a natural phenomenon. It challenges common perceptions of what a banana looks like, highlighting the diverse forms of produce found globally.
Understanding the Blue Banana
The blue banana is scientifically known as Musa acuminata × balbisiana ‘Blue Java’, a hybrid cultivar. It is also called Ice Cream Banana, Hawaiian Banana, Vanilla Banana, Krie, or Cenizo.
When unripe, the fruit exhibits a distinctive silvery-blue or light blue-green coloration, a striking departure from the green of typical unripe bananas. This blue tint is attributed to a natural wax coating on its skin.
As the blue banana ripens, its skin transitions from blue to pale yellow, similar to common varieties. The flesh inside remains creamy white or pale yellow, signaling readiness for consumption. The fruit is medium-sized, about six inches long, with a tough, thick skin.
Native Habitats and Ideal Growing Conditions
Blue bananas are native to Southeast Asia, originating from regions like Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia. They are now cultivated in other tropical and subtropical areas, including Hawaii, Fiji, Central America, and Northern Australia. These plants flourish in warm, humid climates.
Ideal growing temperatures range from 24 to 35 degrees Celsius (75 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day. They tolerate night temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius (60 degrees Fahrenheit) and are more cold-tolerant than many banana varieties, surviving brief dips to -7 degrees Celsius (20 degrees Fahrenheit) with protection. Plants require 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily for optimal fruit development. Consistent moisture is necessary, with about 10 cm (4 inches) of water per month, but the soil must be well-draining to prevent root rot. Organically rich, loamy, or sandy loam soil with a pH between 5.5 and 7.0 provides the best environment for their growth.
Unique Characteristics and Culinary Uses
Once ripe, the blue banana offers a distinctive sensory experience that sets it apart from common varieties. Its flesh is notably creamy and soft, similar to ice cream or custard. This unique texture is a primary reason for its “Ice Cream Banana” moniker.
The flavor is often compared to vanilla or vanilla custard, with a sweet, mellow taste, sometimes described as sweet-tart. This makes it a popular choice for fresh consumption, offering a natural dessert-like quality. Beyond eating fresh, blue bananas are versatile in culinary applications. They can be blended into smoothies, used in baked goods like banana bread or muffins, or sliced and frozen to create an ice cream-like treat.
Cultivating and Sourcing Blue Bananas
Cultivating blue bananas outside their native tropical regions is feasible in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11. In colder areas, container cultivation allows plants to be moved indoors during winter to protect them from frost. Successful growth requires full sun or partial shade and well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Consistent watering and monthly potassium-rich fertilization are beneficial for robust growth and fruit production.
Acquiring blue banana plants involves purchasing tissue-cultured trees or dividing pups from an existing plant’s corm. These are found through online nurseries or specialty plant shops. Commercial availability in standard supermarkets is limited; blue bananas are more commonly found in specialty markets or directly from online growers due to their high demand. Some retailers may have waiting lists for the fruit itself.