Have you ever wondered, Do bananas have seeds? This is a question that has puzzled people for years.
Some say yes, some say no – but which is right? The answer may surprise you.
It is a common misconception that all bananas are seedless, when in fact only commercially grown bananas have been cultivated to not have seeds.
So, do bananas have seeds? Yes, bananas have seeds. There are some bananas that have seeds, and some that do not. Bananas without any seeds are the types you generally find in supermarkets because they are more appealing to consumers since they don’t have any black spots throughout them where the seeds would be.
In this article, I will discuss the various banana cultivars with their individual properties and give an overview of what makes a banana considered seedless or fruity.
1. What is A Banana?
Banana plants are tropical grasses belonging to the Musaceae family and grow up to 20ft in height.
They have large green leaves with a central trunk from which the fruit grows.
They are known as herbaceous perennials, however, they are thought to be dying out in some places due to deforestation and climate change.
The banana plant is monoecious which means it possesses both male and female flowers on the same plant.
Bananas grow in clusters that hang down from the main stem of the plant called hands, each hand contains 10-20 bananas split into rows – technically called fingers.
The bananas ripen from the bottom up, so when you eat a banana you’re actually eating a cluster of fruits!
2. Where Do Bananas Come From?
Bananas are believed to have originated in Southeast Asia, where they were a wild fruit.
They were then brought over to Africa by traders and became a popular fruit in the region.
From there, they were brought over to the Americas by European explorers and became a staple fruit in the diets of Latin Americans.
Today, bananas are grown all over the world, with countries like India, China, and Brazil being some of the top producers.
3. The Different Types of Bananas?
There are many different types of bananas – each with its own unique flavor and properties.
The most common type of banana is the Cavendish, which is the type you usually find in supermarkets.
There are, however, other types of bananas with different flavors and properties.
Below are some of the most popular types of bananas:
a. Cavendish Bananas
This is the most common type of bananas that grows in bunches of 10-20 fingers. It has a creamy yellow banana color and tastes sweet with musky undertones.
Cavendish bananas are usually purchased by big companies for purposes such as paste, cakes, ice cream, etc., however, they are very popular among consumers because they don’t have any black spots throughout them where the seeds would be.
This allows people to eat the whole thing without having to worry about getting any texture surprises.
b. Plantain Bananas
These types of bananas grow in large clusters instead of small bunches like Cavendish bananas do.
They are green when unripe and then turn yellow when ripe.
They have a starchy and firm texture, so they are less sweet than Cavendish bananas.
c. Red Bananas
This type of banana is very popular in Asia due to the fact that it has a unique red color and crunchy texture with an acidic taste similar to apples.
It isn’t as sweet as Cavendish bananas either, so it makes for a nice fruit salad option or topping for cakes and other desserts.
d. Green Bananas
These types of bananas are also known as unripe plantain bananas – meaning they’re green instead of yellow just like plantain bananas but without the starchiness, you’d find in plantain varieties.
This makes them great for savory dishes since they’re not too sweet like Cavendish bananas tend to be.
e. Lady Finger Bananas
Ladyfinger bananas are a unique type of banana that is long and thin, with a sweet and floral flavor.
They are often used for baking because of their small size and delicate flavor.
These bananas are small and curved with a pinkish color which is where it gets their name from. It has a creamy texture and sweet flavor, making it perfect for desserts.
f. Ice Cream Bananas
These types of bananas are more popular in Latin America and Southeast Asia, where they’re typically dipped into dark chocolate and frozen.
They have a creamy texture that is similar to vanilla ice cream, making them perfect for desserts.
4. How Are Seedless Bananas Created?
Since there aren’t any naturally occurring bananas with no seeds, the ones we buy at grocery stores or restaurants come from plants that were modified using genetic engineering or crossbreeding techniques that removed the seeds from the fruit.
This makes it so people can enjoy eating whole bananas without worrying about getting any unwelcome bits in their mouths.
5. Which Bananas Are Seedless?
The bananas that we typically find in grocery stores and restaurants are all seedless.
This is because the bananas that we eat are a modified version of the fruit that was created through genetic engineering or crossbreeding techniques.
Since the Cavendish bananas are the most common variety of fruit, they have also been modified to have no seeds.
They are usually grown in warmer climates since fruit is more likely to develop without seeds when it’s exposed to hot weather.
6. Can You Grow Bananas from Seeds?
Yes, it’s actually possible to grow bananas from the seeds that are found in the fruit, but it’s not a process that is recommended for beginners.
If you’re looking to grow bananas from seeds, you’ll need to purchase them online or from a specialty store since they’re not as readily available as the seedless variety.
7. Can You Eat Banana Seeds?
Yes, you can eat banana seeds. Either ripe or green, banana seeds are safe to eat and have a crunchy texture and nutty flavor. However, since they’re not as sweet as the fruit itself, they’re not as commonly eaten. Most variety will taste sweet or slightly bitter, depending on what type of banana it came from.
So, if you’re looking for a snack that is high in protein, fiber, and other essential minerals, then eating a banana with seeds may be a good option for you.
8. Can You Eat Wild Bananas?
Yes, you can eat wild bananas. However, they are not as sweet as the Cavendish bananas that we typically find in grocery stores.
They also have a more fibrous texture and a slightly sour taste. But they are safe to eat green or yellow.
If you’re looking for a less sweet alternative to the Cavendish banana, then the wild banana may be a good option for you.
9. Why Do Commercial Bananas Have No Seeds?
Bananas are seedless because they were engineered to be this way. To reproduce, the fruit would need to cross-pollinate with another banana plant, which is not possible since they have been modified to have no seeds. This makes it so that people can enjoy whole bananas without any concerns about finding seeds.
Another huge reason why commercial bananas with no seeds are so popular is that they can be grown in regions that aren’t as warm.
This means that the fruit will still develop even when there isn’t a lot of hot weather.
10. How Many Seeds Does a Banana Have?
Bananas typically have anywhere from 20 to 50 seeds, but the number can vary depending on the variety of bananas that you’re eating.
However, since most of the bananas that we eat are seedless, the seeds are not as commonly found as they used to be.
The wild banana has the most seeds.
The Cavendish banana has the least seeds. Banana plants of different varieties can have varying amounts of seeds, but they will always be located in the center of the fruit.
11. What Do Banana Seeds Look Like?
Banana seeds typically look like small, black, and glossy seeds.
They are about 1 mm in size and have a hard exterior.
However, they can also come in a variety of different shapes and sizes, depending on the type of banana that they come from.
The seeds are located in the center of the fruit and are surrounded by a thin layer of flesh.
12. How Do Bananas Produce?
Bananas are produced by flowers that grow out of the top of the fruit.
These flowers are pollinated by bees, which means that bananas are a cross-pollinated crop. After the flowers have been pollinated, they turn into bananas.
Since they’re not self-pollinated, they need bees or other insects to do this for them.
If there are no pollinators around, then the seedless bananas that we see in grocery stores won’t grow.
So, if you want to enjoy whole bananas without any concerns about finding seeds in them, then buying the seedless variety is your best bet.
Conclusion
According to Wikipedia, there are over one thousand different cultivars of bananas; some are tiny and some are enormous.
Therefore, it’s not surprising that some of these fruits do not contain seeds while others do!
The most common type of banana is the Cavendish, which is commercially cultivated because they have been selectively bred to have virtually no traceable seeds whatsoever.