A variety of bananas called the Dacca red banana, also known as the red banana cultivar, is gaining popularity in Australia. Compared to regular bananas, this variety has a smaller size and thicker skin but has softer and sweeter flesh. The bananas start out green and gradually turn a beautiful red color when they reach the size of a thumb. Due to its unique qualities, the Dacca red banana is considered one of the “money-making” specialties for the locals, which explains its high price.
On the other hand, the pink banana, scientifically known as Musa velutina, is a species of flowering plant in the family Musaceae. It grows fast and can flower and bear fruit within the first year. It produces pink flowers in the summer, and the bananas are also pink but gradually turn reddish-brown when ripe. While the fruit is sweet and delicious, it contains many seeds, making it difficult to eat. Pink bananas are mainly grown for ornamental purposes.
Another banana variety, the Blue Java, originates from Hawaii and some areas in Australia. While it remains green when ripe, the bananas turn yellow when old. The Blue Java banana tree can grow to an average height of 4.5-6m and can withstand cold and wind thanks to a deep root system. This type of banana blooms after 15-24 months and can be harvested after 115 to 150 days. Locals describe the Blue Java banana as having a very sweet and rich taste, similar to vanilla ice cream.
Finally, the Ae Ae banana, which resembles a green-striped melon, is difficult to grow in many places due to its slightly bitter taste. Even the leaves of this banana tree have white streaks of green.
