Singing the Blues

When it comes to bananas, get ready to start singing the blues. The “ice cream” banana, which is also known as the Blue Java variety due to its distinctive blue peel, is gaining in popularity. Fortunately, these blues aren’t sad at all.

Most people only know the yellow, rather bland-tasting Cavendish variety that’s widely sold in supermarkets; Cavendish bananas make up close to 50% of all the bananas grown worldwide today. Their popularity is probably due to their greater resistance to compared to other varieties. The larger Gros Michel remained the world’s most popular variety until the 1950s, when a fungus devastated many of the plantations in Central America.

But now there’s a new contender for the banana crown — though the fact that it’s not yellow is certain to change more than a few children’s reading primers. The Blue Java is a hardy, cold-tolerant variety that has the consistency and taste of vanilla custard. This creamy texture makes it feel like the banana is melting in your mouth as you eat it. Like the Cavendish, the Blue Java is also an excellent source of dietary fiber, potassium, vitamins B6 and C, and magnesium. They’re also only about 110 calories, so you won’t balloon up if you’re eating one a day.

Blue Java trees grow fast and reach up to six meters in height, with blooms that usually appear in less than 24 months. The fruit can be harvested as early as four months after that. They’re easy to grow, too — even in Hong Kong. If you have a balcony, rooftop or small yard, the trees grow fine in pots. Just remember to move them indoors during the coldest times of the year. Seeds can be purchased from a number of online stores and they’re quite inexpensive. Next time you’re looking for a banana fix, don’t be afraid to sing the blues.

The Hawaiian Blue Java Banana with blue-green fruit and silver green leaves.