There’s more to banana trees than their iconic fruits. In different parts around the globe, some cuisines also make use of the less popular banana blossom or banana heart, a tear-shaped reddish bloom hanging beneath banana clusters.

Health benefits of banana blossom

The neutral-tasting banana blossom is a great plant-based meat substitute. In fact, it is often used in place of fish in traditional Indian and South-East Asian cuisines.

Besides being a nutritious source of plant protein, the banana blossom also boasts a number of incredible health benefits. Here are some of them:

Treats infections

Banana blossom contains ethanol, a compound hailed for its natural antimicrobial properties. For this reason, banana blossom has been used to treat skin infections and reduce the risk of contracting illnesses like malaria.

Stalls aging

Banana blossoms are also rich in certain phenolic compounds like tannins and flavonoids that function as antioxidants. Together, these compounds help reduce stress and inflammation that can accelerate the natural aging process.

Supports heart health

Banana blossoms are just as rich as banana fruits in terms of their potassium content. Potassium is an essential mineral that helps protect against high blood pressure, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Promotes digestion

Fibrous banana blossoms are great foods for treating an upset stomach and protecting against constipation. This effect is all thanks to the blossom’s high amounts of insoluble fiber that softens stool.

Regulates sleep

Eating magnesium-rich banana blossoms can also lead to better sleep at night. Magnesium is an essential mineral that helps promote deep and restful sleep needed to reset important cellular processes and replenish lost nutrients.

Supports menstrual health

Irregular periods occur due to hormonal imbalances. Studies found that eating banana blossoms can help regulate hormones to promote a more regular menstrual period.

Controls blood sugar

Banana blossom’s high amounts of fiber inhibit the absorption of too much glucose in the gut, thus protecting against sudden spikes in blood sugar after a meal.

Boosts blood circulation

Eating iron-rich banana blossoms boosts iron stores. Iron is an essential mineral that helps produce red blood cells needed for blood circulation.

Preparing banana blossom

Outside of Asia, the banana blossom is often regarded as an odd and exotic food. For this reason, not a lot of people are able to prepare it, let alone experiment with it for a meal. Here’s a simple how-to for preparing banana blossoms. (h/t to VeganMiam)

Ingredients:

• 1 banana blossom
• 4 cups cold water
• 1 tablespoon salt or 1/4 cup lemon juice
• Neutral oil

Preparation:

1. In a large bowl, create an acidic mixture using cold water and salt or lemon juice.
2. Before handling the banana blossom, coat your hands and fingers in a neutral oil.
3. Remove the tough outer bracts to expose the florets.
4. Gather the florets and soak them in the acidic mixture from earlier.
5. Remove the tough, matchstick-shaped pistil from each floret and the outermost petal.
6. Once cleaned, soak the florets in the acidic mixture overnight before using them.
7. Keep peeling off the bracts until you reach the blossom’s pale-colored heart.
8. Trim this stem and chop them up into manageable pieces.
9. Massage them in the acidic mixture to get rid of the bitter sap.
10. Drain the pieces using a fine-mesh strainer and rinse them before cooking.

Note that this method is just for cleaning the blossom itself in preparation for a dish that calls for it, such as curries, salads and fritters. You can also use banana blossom to create salad dressings alongside other uncommon fruits such as jackfruit and Japanese pears.

Read more articles about the health benefits of banana blossoms and other fruits at Fruits.news.

Sources:

LifeHack.org

VeganMiam.com