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Article: Bananas.(LIFE-CYCLE STUDIES)
- Article from:
- World Watch
- Article date:
- March 1, 2008
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2008 Worldwatch Institute. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
Bananas have been called "the world's most perfect fruit." They're high in potassium, low in fat, and a good source of vitamins and fiber. They're also one of the few fruits available year round. Today's sweet yellow banana is a mutant strain of the plantain, a starchy red-green cooking banana that is boiled, fried, or ground for use in staple dishes worldwide. Bananas likely originated in Malaysia, though one of the first mentions dates to 327 B.C.E., when Alexander the Great discovered the fruit during his conquest of India. A Spanish friar brought the first banana roots to the Western Hemisphere in 1516, and the fruit was officially introduced to ...