Blue Java bananas are a type of banana with a taste and texture that is reminiscent of vanilla ice cream.
In addition to their interesting flavor, they stand out for the bright blue hue of their peel and their creamy white flesh.
Though they’re not as well known as Cavendish bananas, which are the bananas you may normally find at the grocery store, blue Java bananas are widely grown in Southeast Asia and enjoyed as a delicious, all-natural dessert.
This article looks at blue Java bananas, why they’re often compared to ice cream, and whether they’re good for your health.
Share on PinterestBlue Java bananas are a type of banana cultivar known for its unique flavor and appearance.
They’re a hybrid of two species of banana native to Southeast Asia — Musa balbisiana and Musa acuminata.
Before they’re fully ripe, they have an unusual blue-tinged peel due to their natural wax coating. This tends to slowly fade as they mature.
They also have a longer, stouter appearance than other banana varieties, with white flesh and small black seeds (1, 2Trusted Source).
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Why do they taste like ice cream?
Thanks to natural compounds in their flesh, blue Java bananas have an interesting flavor that is often compared to that of ice cream or vanilla custard.
Their soft, creamy flesh gives them a texture that also resembles the popular dessert.
This makes them an excellent substitute for regular ice cream.
Due to their unique taste and consistency, blue Java bananas are often used in smoothies, added to desserts, or swapped in for regular bananas to make a natural, low-calorie “nice cream.”
SUMMARY
Blue Java bananas are a type of banana cultivar with a taste and texture that closely resembles ice cream.
Because blue Java bananas are a type of banana cultivar, they have a very similar nutrient profile to other varieties of bananas.
Like other types, they’re a great source of fiber, manganese, and vitamins B6 and C.
Though nutrition information for blue Java bananas, specifically, is unavailable, one medium banana contains the following nutrients (3):
- Calories: 105
- Protein: 1.5 grams
- Carbs: 27 grams
- Fat: 0.5 grams
- Fiber: 3 grams
- Vitamin B6: 26% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Manganese: 14% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 11% of the DV
- Copper: 10% of the DV
- Potassium: 9% of the DV
- Pantothenic acid: 8% of the DV
- Magnesium: 8% of the DV
- Riboflavin: 7% of the DV
- Folate: 6% of the DV
- Niacin: 5% of the DV
Blue Java bananas also provide small amounts of iron, phosphorus, thiamine, and selenium.
SUMMARY
Like regular bananas, the blue Java variety contains many important nutrients, including fiber, manganese, and vitamins B6 and C.
Adding blue Java bananas to your diet may offer several health benefits.
Promote weight loss
With just 105 calories per serving, blue Java bananas are an excellent low-calorie alternative to sweet treats like ice cream and custard.
Not only can swapping blue Java bananas in for other sweets help reduce your calorie consumption, but it can also bump up your daily fiber intake.
Fiber travels through your gastrointestinal tract slowly, helping promote feelings of fullness to keep you satisfied between meals (4Trusted Source).
In fact, studies show that increasing your intake of high-fiber foods can benefit weight control (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source).
What’s more, other research found that eating fruit may be associated with weight loss (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source).
Supports digestive health
In addition to boosting weight loss, the fiber in blue Java bananas may have a powerful effect on digestive health.
Fiber adds bulk to your stool, helping get things moving and promoting regularity (9Trusted Source).
Research shows that fiber may also help treat several digestive disorders, including hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) (10Trusted Source).
Each medium banana provides about 3 grams of fiber, which is about 12% of the DV for this nutrient (3).
Rich in antioxidants
Blue Java bananas are loaded with antioxidants, which are powerful compounds that can help protect against cell damage (11Trusted Source).
Antioxidant compounds in bananas include gallic acid, quercetin, ferulic acid, and dopamine (12).
Antioxidants are also thought to play a key role in disease prevention and may help protect against chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers (13Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Blue Java bananas are rich in antioxidants and can help support weight loss and boost digestive health.
When enjoyed in moderation, blue Java bananas can be a safe and healthy addition to a well-rounded diet.
Though they’re higher in carbs than many other types of fruit, bananas have a relatively low glycemic index, which is a measure of how much specific foods can raise blood sugar levels (14).
However, those with type 2 diabetes should be mindful of their intake and monitor blood sugar levels after consuming foods rich in carbohydrates, including blue Java bananas.
Blue Java bananas may also trigger an allergic reaction in those who are sensitive to latex.
In fact, according to some reports, around 30–50% of those with an allergy to latex are also sensitive to certain plant foods, including bananas (16Trusted Source).
Therefore, be sure to exercise caution when trying new foods like blue Java bananas if you have any other allergies.
SUMMARY
Blue Java bananas have a low glycemic index but are relatively high in carbs. Like other types of bananas, they may also cause allergy symptoms in those with an allergy to latex.
There are plenty of options for how to add this tasty ingredient to your diet.
One of the most popular ways is to make “nice cream” by freezing the bananas and blending them in a food processor until they reach a rich, smooth consistency.
Blue Java bananas also work well in smoothies or as a topping for oatmeal, yogurt, or cereal.
You can even try swapping out regular bananas for blue Java bananas in your favorite recipes and desserts, including banana bread, pancakes, muffins, or cookies.
Alternatively, try enjoying blue Java bananas raw for a healthy, convenient, and portable snack on the go.
SUMMARY
Blue Java bananas can be enjoyed in many ways, including as a healthy “nice cream,” smoothie base, or substitute for regular bananas in your favorite recipes.
Blue Java bananas are a type of banana cultivar notable for its sweet flavor and ice-cream-like consistency.
Like other types of bananas, they’re high in many important vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help support digestive health and weight loss.
For most people, this unique fruit can be a nutritious and delicious addition to a balanced diet.
[“source=healthline”]
