Bananas.
The world's most popular fruit, in one very simple page.
Four quick facts
- Bananas are berriesBotanically, a banana is a berry. Strawberries are not.
- They grow on giant herbsThe banana plant is the largest herbaceous plant in the world. What looks like a trunk is tightly wrapped leaves.
- A bunch is called a handEach hand holds about 10 to 20 bananas, and each banana is called a finger.
- Slightly radioactiveBananas contain potassium-40, a naturally occurring isotope. It is harmless at any amount you could eat.
How a banana ripens
Green
Firm and starchy. Best for cooking.
Yellow
Sweet and soft. The classic snack.
Spotted
Very sweet. Perfect for banana bread.