Buy Wholesale African Plantain Bananas

Do you need to buy or sell African Plantain bananas, please call us Mon-Fri, between 2am and 12 midday and weekends by prior arrangement 02-8006-4479 (Current Sydney time = ) or email us [and we will respond to your email within 1 working day].

About African Plantains

It may come as a surprise to some that African Plantains actually originated from the Philippines.

DNA tests conducted on "bananas" growing on the side of Mount Pinatubo (Philippines) in 1980 found that African Plantains were decended from the Pinatubo plantain bananas.

So the real question is How did these Plantain Bananas located in such an obscure location manage to get to Africa. Especially when you consider that the Philippines were virtually unhead of until 600 years ago and that the type found around Mount Pinatubo do not grow anywhere else is even more remarkable.

The earliest record of the Philippine Islands corresponded with the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 yet the African Plantains have been in recorded history in Central Africa for over 10,000 years.

African Plantains - Fruit or Vegetable?

African Plantains may look similar to bananas, but African Plantains are considered more of a vegetable for cooking because they are starchier and have an almost neutral bland taste when unripe - African Plantains should be eaten as a cooked vegetable instead of as fruit.

Please Remember: African Plantain bananas must be cooked before eating them.

Cooking Plantain Bananas changes the texture, flavour and actually increases the nutritional value of African Plantains (if not over cooked).

Cooked African Plantains are nutritionally similar to a regular potato as far as calories are concerned except that African Plantains contain many more vitamins and minerals.

Plantain bananas are cooked using some of the following methods.

• Boiled
• Fried
• Deep fried
• Baked
• Steamed
• Glazed
• Caramelized
• Bread crumbed with condiment of choice

TIP: Do not use a microwave.

Example 1:

Added to curries, African Plantain bananas contribute to the taste of the curry and much greater health benefits especially when compared to white rice or white potatoes.

This is even more noticeable when the African Plantains are baked, fried, glazed or carmelized first.

Example 2 - Carmelize:

• Slice plantians length ways or side ways approx 1 cm thick.
• Heat skillet over medium heat and add oil.
• When oil is hot add sliced African Plantains and fry until golden brown and slightly crisp.
• About 5-8 minutes.
• Sprinkle with sugar and wait until plantians carmelize.
• Remove from skillet and drain oil.
• Cool for 5 - 10 minutes before serving.

Buying African Plantains in bulk

Buying African Plantains in bulk may be of concern to some people due to storage.

This storage concern is easily addressed when you realize that you can pre-cook African Plantains in some of the ways listed above, then pop the cooked African Plantains into "Serve Size" plastic bags for 1, 2, 3 or more people, then pop into the freezer.

Then when you need them, simply thaw and add to main meal as required.

African Plantains

African Plantains have such a diverse range when it comes to cooking, you will be glad that you tried them.

Camping Food

If you want natural food that won't spoil for weeks and can be easily and quickly cooked, and is highly nutritious with a LOW GI index, try packing a box of Pacific Plantains next time you go camping.