Although we do not live in a coastal region, we love the tropical, ornamental swagger our banana trees add to our backyard. For a couple of decades now, my husband and I have taken on the arduous task of planting the descendants from one single banana tree each year. Before the first frost hits in the fall, we dig them up, wrap the roots in plastic bags and store them in the crawl space until the last frost has passed (which is usually the first week in April).
After a mature banana tree produces the flowers that bring forth the bananas, the tree has served its purpose and is no longer useful. Or so we thought.
I recently discovered that the flower (or blossom) of the banana tree is edible. Not only that, almost all parts of the banana tree are edible and offer some amazing health benefits (wards off infections, boosts mood and reduces anxiety, boosts the supply of milk that helps new mothers feed their young better, manages diabetes and anemia, and improves digestion just to name a few). While I am still investigating the aforementioned benefits, check out this video below and see what you think. Going forward, I believe we will hold off trashing those banana trees that have passed their prime each year. From ornamental to medicinal…who knew?
From Behind the Pen 