The Burro Banana ( Musa × paradisiaca ‘ Burro ’ or ‘ Orinoco ’ ) , also have it off as the Chunky Banana or Horse Banana , is a robust and various banana variety prized for its thickheaded , buckram flesh , tangy - sweet look , and adaptability in both sweet and spicy dishes . Unlike the sweet Cavendish banana , Burro bananas offer a unique lemony tang when unripe and a creamy sweetness when ripe , making them a favorite in Latin American , Caribbean , and tropical cuisines .

Originating in Southeast Asia and wide naturalize in Central America , this cultivar is a dietetical staple for its solid grain and nutritionary time value . In this comprehensive guide , we ’ll explore the botanical classification , story , native area , place feature , taste , growth rate , USDA hardiness zones , culinary diligence , nutritional time value , season accessibility , and a fun fact about the Burro Banana .

Botanical Classification

The Burro Banana belong to the following taxonomic classification :

The Burro Banana is a hybrid of Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana , assort as Musa × paradisiaca to denote its hybrid origin . It go to the ABB genome group , a triploid cultivar with two parts Musa balbisiana and one part Musa acuminata . This transmitted makeup add to its starchy , fast texture and resilience , similar to plantains but with a sweeter profile when ripe . Burro bananas are sterile , seedless , and propagated vegetatively through mark or tissue culture , check reproducible yield quality . The name “ Burro , ” mean “ domestic ass ” in Spanish , reflects its stout , workhorse - like nature and chunky material body .

account of the Burro Banana

The Burro Banana ’s history begins around 10,000 years ago in Southeast Asia , especially in Papua New Guinea and the Malay Archipelago , where bananas were tame from hazardous Musa acuminata and Musa balbisiana . Hybrids like Burro , rate for their starchy , various fruits , emerged through human selection . By 3,000 BCE , bananas spread to India , Indonesia , and the Philippines , with ABB cultivars like Burro probably cultivated for their dual usance in cooking and fresh eating .

Burro banana reached Central and South America before the Columbian Exchange , potential via Polynesian or trade routes , and were well - instal by the sixteenth C when Spanish and Lusitanian adventurer documented their culture in Mexico , Costa Rica , Colombia , and Venezuela . know as ‘ Orinoco ’ in some regions , named after Venezuela ’s Orinoco River , Burro bananas became a raw material in Romance American and Caribbean diets , used in dishes like fried tostones or boil slope . In Africa , exchangeable ABB cultivars like ‘ Bluggoe ’ were introduce via business deal , expand in countries like Nigeria and Ghana .

Unlike the export - focused Cavendish , Burro bananas are primarily grown for local markets due to their shorter shelf life and starchy nature . Major producers include Mexico , Costa Rica , Colombia , Venezuela , Philippines , and Hawaii . In the 20th century , Burro banana tree gained adhesive friction in North America and Europe as a peculiarity yield , often happen in ethnic markets . The terror of Tropical Race 4 ( TR4 ) , a strain of Panama disease , challenges Burro refinement , but its resilience and culinary versatility ensure its popularity .

Native Area

Burro Bananas develop from Southeast Asia , specifically the Malay Archipelago , Indonesia , Malaysia , and Papua New Guinea , where unfounded Musa mintage flourish in tropical rainforests . However , the cultivar is most closely associated with Central America , specially Mexico and Costa Rica , where it has been a dietary staple fibre for centuries .

Today , Burro banana tree are cultivated in tropical and subtropical neighborhood , including :

identify Characteristics

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Growth Rate

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Culinary Applications

Health Benefits

Season Availability

Fun Fact

The Burro Banana , nickname the “ domestic ass of banana ” for its inflexible , chunky shape , is a Mexican deary , often fry into platanos fritos and served with crema at street stalls ! In Venezuela , it ’s a key component in sancocho , a hearty soup that warms families during showery time of year . Its tangy feeling inspired a Caribbean saying , “ As zesty as a Burro banana , ” celebrating its vital predilection , and farmers depose Burro plant are so ruffianly they can withstand tempest that tumble other harvest , create them a symbol of resiliency !

Care and Cultivation Tips for Burro Banana Plants

Challenges and Considerations