As one of the world?s oldest cultivated fruits, the banana is believed to have originated from Papa New Guinea before being domesticated throughout Southeast Asia, South America, Africa and the Caribbean. Our organic banana powder is sourced from Ecuador and made from golden-yellow vine-ripened bananas.
Descending from the Musaceae family, ?Musa? is the Latin name for banana ? of which there are over 50 different species. The banana plant or musa acuminata, is actually a herb rather than a tree requiring rich soil, prolonged exposure to sunlight and 80-200 inches of rainfall per year. Growing in over 135 countries, the musa acuminata forms trunk-like pseudostems that push up from the ground reaching 6m in height. Large leaves grow from the pseudostem and are used in the making of umbrellas, rooves and clothing.
Bananas are thought to have been cultivated as far back as 7000 years ago and are now widely eaten all over the world. Offering a distinctly sweet flavour, bananas are reputed for their potassium content ? a mineral known to be associated with serotonin production and mood-boosting properties. The fruits are also renowned for having a high pectin content ? a type of prebiotic fibre known to aid digestion and support gut health.
