[For Seniors] Banana Trivia Quiz & Fun Facts Collection

sugar spot

The brown spots that appear on banana peels are called “sugar spots.” They’re a sign that the banana is ripening and getting sweeter—an indicator that it’s at its best for eating. Bananas change from green to yellow, and then to brown as sugar spots appear. As the color changes, the sugar content increases, so they become sweeter over time.

Tokyo Banana

“Tokyo Banana” is famous as a classic Tokyo souvenir. It’s a sponge cake filled with banana-flavored cream and has been loved for many years as a souvenir or gift. In addition to the classic yellow Tokyo Banana, there are also versions with character illustrations and cute designs like leopard print.

Prevention of swelling

When there’s too much salt in the body, it retains extra water to compensate, which causes swelling (edema). Potassium, which is abundant in bananas, helps expel excess salt from the body and reduces swelling. It’s also said to help prevent and improve high blood pressure.

Arabic

The word banana comes from the Arabic “banan,” meaning “fingers.” It is also said to derive from “banema” in a West African language, meaning “multiple fingers.” The fruit was given this name because its shape resembles human fingers.

tip of the stem

Banana fruits do not grow on tree branches; they form in clusters at the tip of a thick stalk. The fruits grow hanging down from the end of the stalk. Incidentally, it’s said that about 10 to 20 bananas develop together on a single stalk.

over 300 types or more

It’s said that there are over 300 varieties of bananas worldwide. Because hybrids make classification difficult, the exact number is unknown.

Cavendish

The Cavendish variety is the type that accounts for most of the bananas distributed worldwide. The sweet, yellow bananas commonly sold in supermarkets in Japan and Western countries are this variety. In Japan, they are imported mainly from the Philippines.