44 Super Interesting Facts about Bananas [Free Fact Cards]

Ready to go bananas about some truly interesting facts about bananas? If so you are in the right place. These yellow fruit favorites are not just delicious but are full of many interesting facts and stories. So grab a banana and let’s peel away the layers and discover everything there is to learn with these interesting facts about bananas.

Have you ever wondered why a banana is curved? It is sort of like it is smiling at you! Well, did you know that they are curved for a reason? It’s true! As they grow they actually reach for the sun, it is called negative geotropism (try to say that three times really fast!), It is just a fancy way of saying that they grow away from the ground and reach for the light instead. This is what makes the unique curve.

A lot of people think we get our bananas from Hawaii or Florida, but for the most part, they come from Central America and South America. You could say they come a long way for you to enjoy at breakfast each morning or for a snack!

And get this! Bananas are the most popular fruit in the whole wide world it is like they are the fruit superstar! Not only are fruits delicious to eat but around the world people use banana plants for so much more. The leaves are used as umbrellas, players and even paper! How is that for some very cool interesting facts about bananas?

Ready for more mind-blowing facts about bananas, everyone’s favorite fruit? Well, keep your eyes “peeled” below because we are about to dive into some of the most fascinating banana facts there are! Don’t forget to get your banana fact cards below so you always have these facts with you no matter where you go and so you can share them with your friends!

Want a whole collection of fact cards? Don’t forget to get your Facts About William Shakespeare You Never Knew or Oinktastic Facts About Pigs.

The Most Interesting Facts About Bananas

1. Bananas are among the most important food crops on the planet.
2. Bananas float in water because they are less dense in comparison.
3. Bananas are one of the most popular fruits in the American diet.
4. Three medium bananas weigh approximately one pound.
5. Cavendish is the most common variety of banana – you see most often in grocery stores and farmers markets.

6. Bananas have a total of 89 calories per 100 grams 
7. A cluster of bananas is called a ‘hand’, while a single banana is called a ‘finger’.
8. The banana fruit got its name after being sold wrapped in aluminum foil for 10 cents at the 1876 Philadelphia World’s Fair.
9. The banana is generally classified as a berry.
10. Bananas grow on plants that are officially considered an herb.

11. Roughly 96% of American households purchase bananas at least once per month.
12. Musa sapientum is the scientific name for the banana means  “fruit of the wise men”.
13. A monkey peels a banana upside down compared to our method, which is pinching the top and splitting the skin before peeling it down to reveal the fruit. This is an easier and less damaging method of peeling a banana.
14. Humans share about 50 percent of our DNA with bananas.
15. Bananas can help ease morning sickness in pregnant women.

16. Bananas may be considered a mood enhancer because they contain the amino acid, tryptophan and Vitamin B6 which helps the body produce serotonin.
17. Bananas are good for your skin by helping your body produce collagen.
18. There are more than 400 varieties of banana in existence.
19. The Banana Club Museum is the world’s largest collection solely devoted to one fruit. 
20. Bananas can float in water.

21. The oils inside a banana skin can actually help inflammation and itching caused by insect bites.
22. Today’s bananas began to be developed around 650 A.D. in Africa.
23.  Bananas are the fourth-largest fruit crop in the world.
24. Bananas can aid in weight loss because they make you feel full and help regulate blood sugar levels.
25. If bananas are too green to eat, you can place them inside a paper bag along with an apple or tomato. This will cause the ripening process to speed up. 

26. More songs have been written about bananas than any other fruit.
27. In some cultures, banana leaves are used as serving plates or for wrapping food.
28. Green bananas have a very high starch content – as the fruit yellows, this starch turns into sugars.
29. To slow down its ripening process you can put them into the refrigerator. 
30. A banana plant stops producing new leaves and instead grows a flower spike when it matures.

31. Leather products like handbags or shoes can be polished with the inside of banana peels, rub them on and wipe them off with a cloth.
32. In the Philippines, bananas are used to make ketchup instead of Tomato – like really!
33. Banana peels are edible and can be used in cooking or smoothies.
34. In Thailand, there is a variety of banana known as the “ice cream banana” due to its creamy texture.
35. The fibers in banana peels can be used to make durable textiles.

36. If you have a headache, it is said that you can rub a banana peel on your forehead to cure it. 
37. Bananas have a long history of cultivation, dating back thousands of years.
38. While the flesh of the banana is the part typically eaten, some cultures use banana peels in cooking.
39. Bananas hold cultural significance in various societies. They are often used in religious rituals and ceremonies,
40. Potassium-rich bananas can help regulate blood pressure and support heart health.

41. Bananas continue to ripen after they are picked. They release ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process.
42. Bananas come with their own natural packaging – their peel. This makes them a convenient and portable snack.
43. Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits globally. 
44. Bananas are grown in over 135 countries and are a staple food in many tropical regions.

Do you have even more interesting facts about bananas? Share them with us in the comments! Also, don’t forget to grab your free banana fact cards to add to your collection!

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