Robusta To Rasthali : 6 Indian Banana Varieties You Must Try

By Niveditha Kalyanaraman

Image Credit: Unsplash

November 13, 2023

Bananas are one of the most loved fruits in India. Many people eat them on a daily basis, and they are also quite filling. The popularity of the fruit is due to the fact that India is also the largest producer of bananas in the world. Here are 6 Indian banana varieties you must try.

Image Credit: Shutterstock

Robusta

Typically produced in South India, particularly Kerala and Tamil Nadu, they are large in size and have a bright yellow colour to them. These bananas have the perfect sweet flavour and are perfect for adding to desserts and shakes.

Image Credits: Meesho

Poovan

Another south indian produce, these are much smaller in size and have a slight round shape instead of being long. Poovan bananas offer a blend of sweet and sour aromas.

Monthan

Monthan bananas are fairly large and have a thick skin that turns yellow when ripe. The flesh of the banana is quite creamy in texture but has a somewhat less sweet taste and is used to make banana bhajjis and chips.

Yelakki

The fact that they are quite tiny in size is what makes them so unique. They taste similar to regular bananas, but are only sweeter and more delicious.

Red Banana

Red bananas are the most unique type of banana you'll find in India. Red on the outside, they usually develop several dark patches as they ripen.

Rasthali

Also known as silk bananas, this variety of banana is known for its unique texture. The outside colour remains the same, but from the inside, it's super smooth.