The many facets of the banana tree

The fruit can be served up as a puree, snack (dried slices and chips in Honduras and Nigeria), jam, vinegar, in bread, beer (Uganda), ketchup (Philippines), and baby food. It is also commonly found in muesli cereal mixes in Europe. The peel or 'skin' is rich in starch, cellulose, sugars, pectin, minerals, proteins and vitamines. The inner surface of the skin is distilled into an aromatic essence used in pharmaceuticals and perfumes. The leaves are a valuable source of proteins, vitamins, and cellulose and may be used as a light laxative. In Asia, they are used as an accompaniment to rice and meat dishes. The stem contains starch and is used industrially (in textiles, cigarette paper, paper money, and tea bags). It is also another source of sugar, and, on the world market, is less expensive than cane and beet sugar. In Kenya and the Philippines, the fibre is used in making sacks, lamp-shades, baskets and toys.The fruit can be served up as a puree, snack (dried slices and chips in Honduras and Nigeria), jam, vinegar, in bread, beer (Uganda), ketchup (Philippines), and baby food. It is also commonly found in muesli cereal mixes in Europe.The peel or 'skin'..