Plantain

Fruit

Plantain

Plantain is a starchy cooking banana eaten green (savoury, potato-like), turning, or black-ripe (sweet enough to caramelise). Thick peel is not eaten. Central to Caribbean, Latin American, and West African plates. Fry twice for tostones, bake maduros, boil and mash, or stew. Green plantain is not a raw snack fruit. Oil and salt are classic partners.

Track this ingredient

Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Characteristics

Preparations

CandiedCannedChilledDicedDriedFermentedFreshFrozenGrilledHalvedJamJuicedPeeledPoachedPreservedPureedQuarteredRoastedSlicedWhole

Provenance

BiodynamicExport CertifiedFair TradeFarm AssuredHeirloomLocally GrownNon-GMOOrganicPesticide FreeRegenerativeSeasonalSingle Origin

Sources

GreenhouseIndoor FarmedOrchardOutdoor FarmedPlantationWild

Traits

DenseEarthyFirmMildNeutralStarchy

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 54.4

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 0.3 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.05 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.09 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 5.09 mg
  • Salt 0.01 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 13 g
  • Dietary Fibre 2.05 g
  • Total Sugars 9.34 g
  • Complex / starch 0.98 g
  • Protein 0.85 g
  • Water 80 g
Detailed nutrients

Fruit energy is mostly natural sugars with fibre and vitamin C varying by species.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Plantain.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

Plantain was used as a fruit food in regional diets long before industrial packing and global year-round supply.

Trade, migration, and selection spread distinctive Plantain types and preparations into new climates and cuisines.

Modern production, storage, and transport made Plantain a regular purchase far from where it is grown or raised.

Cooks now treat Plantain as both staple and specialty, with more attention to provenance, variety, and form.

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