Do you love bananas but hate their sweetness? Fermenting bananas may be the answer for you. This simple process of turning bananas into fermented food takes just a day or two and yields delicious results.
Fermenting bananas is an easy way to add flavor to your food by breaking down sugar and starch with naturally produced bacteria into an organic compound. It’s also great for boosting your daily potassium and vitamin C dose. You can cook them, put them into smoothies, or fridge-store for later use.
You might be wondering why you should do this instead of just eating raw. There are plenty of reasons, but having a health-friendly benefit is the most important.
In this article, we will enlighten you about fermenting bananas. After reading this article, we hope that you will be excited about banana fermenting.
The nutrition facts for 1 medium-sized banana (100 grams):
| Calories | 89 |
| Water | 75% |
| Protein | 1.1 grams |
| Carbs | 22.8 grams |
| Sugar | 12.2 grams |
| Fiber | 2.6 grams |
| Fat | 0.3 grams |
What Is Banana Fermentation?
Like other fruit fermentation, banana fermenting broke down the sugars turned into organic compounds. It helps preserve foods and gives foods their characteristic smell.
The banana fermenting process is called Lacto-fermentation. In this process, the naturally produced bacteria eat up all the sugar and starch available in the bananas.
The by-product we get from the fermentation process is called lactic acid. It gives a sharp flavor to the fermented fruits.
Moreover, the lactic acid also helps to preserve the bananas.
How To Ferment Bananas?
Fermented bananas are a delicious and nutritious snack you can make at home. There are many methods for making fermented bananas, but the most popular is using a probiotic capsule as a starter. This starter contains beneficial bacteria that help to ferment the bananas.
The banana fermenting process is easier than fermenting any other foods. You can do it yourself using a few basic items. However, you should always use organic ingredients for the best result and taste. No organic bananas may have pesticide residues that can slow the production of good bacteria.
Ingredients;
- 1 large banana
- Organic brown sugar: 1 teaspoon
- 1 tall glass1 probiotic capsule
- A pinch of sea salt
- A rubber band
- Plastic wrap.
Quick Note: Make sure you pick a healthy banana that is not too ripe or not too green.
Fermenting Bananas: Step-By-Step Process
Now that you have all ingredients in your hand, let’s start.
- To begin, wash the bananas and remove the peels. Then cut it into medium sizes. However, you can also chop them into bite-sized pieces if you prefer.
- Take the glass and fill it with room temperature filtered or dechlorinated water room temperature. Don’t pour too much water as water may overflow when you put the banana slices in it.
- Add a pinch of sea salt to the glass of water.
- Next, add a tablespoon of organic sugar to the mixture.
- After that, add the contents of a probiotic capsule. It will act as your starter for the banana fermenting process.
- Stir the water until all the ingredients are well combined.
- Once the ingredients are well mixed, drop the banana slices into the glass. Make sure the glass has around 1-1.5 inches of room left at the top, as bananas will expand when fermented.
- Cover the glass with plastic wrap and seal it with a rubber band so that no air can get in and out of it.
- Now, put the glass in a dark place for 2-3 days.
- After two or three days, conduct a smell test. If you feel a good smell, then it is ready to consume.
How Long Do Bananas Take To Ferment?
Although you can use different methods to ferment bananas, Lacto-fermentation using a probiotic capsule is the most common.
Regardless of your methods, bananas usually take 24-36 hours to ferment. While the fermentation process is quicker in summer, it is slightly longer in winter. However, make sure you taste them along the way to understand if they are ready to consume.
Once the fermentation is complete, you can keep them in a fridge or even a freezer to preserve them for a longer time.
Taste Of Fermented Bananas
Although you are getting all the health benefits of bananas, fermented bananas don’t taste like raw ones. They differ from the fresh ones drastically.
You will get the smell of bananas but acquire fizzy and tangy bites while tasting. Moreover, you will not feel any recognizable sweetness like the fresh banana has. After all, fermenting bananas means saying goodbye to all their sugar.
However, keep your nose open for any unpleasant smells, indicating that the fermentation was unsuccessful.
Are Fermented Bananas Healthy?
About fermented food, people often react in a confused manner. Should they eat fermented foods? Is it OK to eat fermented bananas? Are they healthy?
Fermented foods have been around for centuries and are considered a healthy way to eat. Some people worry about the safety of fermented foods, but there is no evidence that they are harmful. Some studies, in fact, suggest that fermented foods may be beneficial for health.
Fermented foods are incredibly beneficial for digestion; fermented bananas are not different. These foods contain probiotics, which help improve your gut’s health by increasing the number of good bacteria.
Fermented bananas are a great source of probiotics and prebiotics, which support the growth of healthy gut microorganisms. Probiotics in fermented bananas have been linked to a host of health benefits, including-
- Improved immune function
- Improved digestion
- Weight loss
- Improved Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome
- Enhanced bone health
- Healthy heart.
Additionally, fermented bananas are thought to have anti-aging properties since they contain live enzymes. Live enzymes can break down foods, which makes them more easily digested.
Eating fermented bananas may help you absorb nutrients such as potassium, vitamin C, choline, manganese, and vitamin B6 better since they are broken down into organic compounds.
If you have any dietary restrictions or are on a low-carb diet, you may not eat bananas. In that case, you can ferment them and enjoy the health benefits of bananas while you don’t have to worry about sugar or sweetness.
As you are getting all the nutrients intact, it is OK to eat fermented bananas, having most benefits of fresh bananas.
Can You Ferment Bananas in Honey?
Although it’s not particularly common, you can ferment Bananas in Honey. The carbohydrates in the banana ferment in honey, and you can use them to make various drinks.
Honey fermented bananas can add complexity to your drinks — adding sweetness and tang to your beverage without adding sugar.
For fermenting bananas in honey, you will need to add one or two tablespoons of honey to the above-mentioned fermenting method.
Although the process is the same, the mixing chronology will be different.
For fermenting in honey, you will need to put all the banana slices in the glass. Then add some non-iodized salt to it. After that, pour two tablespoons of honey and fill the glass with water.
Keep it in the dark for 2-5 days and shake it twice a day. Your fermented honey bananas should be ready to eat in three days. However, you may ferment it longer to check if you get a better result.
Can You Ferment Bananas To Make Alcohol?
Yes, you can ferment bananas to make alcohol. Africa and the Caribbean regions use fermented bananas to make beers, wines, and spirits.
You may ask – what alcohol is made from fermented bananas?
However, the two most popular alcoholic drinks made from fermented bananas are banana wine and banana beer. Banana wine may contain between 9-12% alcohol, while banana beer may have only 5-15%.
Do Bananas Ferment On Their Own?
With the right condition, bananas can ferment on their own. However, for natural fermentation, yeast and bacteria have to be present.
Usually, the banana can be fermented naturally if it is smashed, and yeast can react to the sugar content and ferment into alcohol.
Nevertheless, this kind of natural fermentation can happen to any fruit.
Final Words
Fermenting bananas is an excellent way to introduce food-borne enzymes and probiotics into your diet. Although this does not involve any cooking, it does take some planning.
You will need to purchase a starter culture that can be found online or at your local brewing supply store. Follow the instructions provided in this article, and you’ll be enjoying your banana fermentation soon.
