The banana is actually an exotic fruit, but we know them so well in Europe that we would almost think that they grow wild around the corner. They do not, except with us in Thailand. You see them growing everywhere: along roadsides, in gardens, or if there is room, even between some houses.

There are dozens of varieties growing in Thailand. Small, hard, green, thick and even straight bananas. Some are eaten fresh, others are just used to make dishes, or they end up in a cake or as crisps. Bananas grow in all tropical countries, but they happen to have the world's largest banana collection in Leuven, in the International Musa Germplasm Transit Centre. That is, they keep living genetic sources (such as seeds and tissues) of about 1500 species there. You will probably only find a real banana there in someone's lunch box.

CAVENDISH

The banana we know best in Europe and loved as children is the Cavendish. We all know it, the yellow, slightly curved banana, about 15 centimetres long. This Cavendish has become the prototype banana for us. And that's not surprising, because more than 90% of all bananas exported for sale are Cavendish. In Thailand and other tropical countries where bananas grow naturally, you will find many more varieties.

The most common banana in Thailand is the Naam Waa. It is shorter than the Cavendish, slightly duller in skin, much greener too, and usually a lot thicker. They are often fried, but are also eaten fresh out of the hand. When fried, they are first sliced lengthwise, then put through sweet butter (often mixed with coconut milk) and fried at a high temperature. There are intersections in Bangkok where it is so busy during rush hour that vendors walk past waiting motorists with fried bananas.

TREE OR PLANT?

By the way, banana is a plant, not a tree. This is confusing, because there are banana plants that can grow up to 8 to 12 metres. So why is it a plant? A tree has a stem, but the banana plant does not, even though it looks like one. They are leaf stalks that wrap around each other. This is called a pseudostem. Yet banana plants can be big boys, because some species carry up to 20 bunches, which can weigh 30 to 50 kilos each. So up to 400 bananas can grow on one plant at one time.

The banana plant has a flower, which can also be eaten. It is a large purple bud which is often used in salads in Thailand and tastes a little bitter. There are many possibilities, but you often see them with prawns, pork, tomato, carrot, shallots, peanuts and red curry paste. And also the large leaves of the plant get a new purpose, often used for steaming small snacks or rice.

HEALTHY!

In Thailand, you also see many bananas on the grill. They are then cut into slices and skewered. They are heated gently until they have acquired a slight colour. They are eaten with a sweet sauce of coconut milk, palm sugar and oil. On many islands, pancake vendors appear at the end of the afternoon. In Thailand, pancakes are called roti and are delicious with banana and chocolate spread.

Finally, bananas are very healthy. They contain a lot of potassium (good for your heart), vitamins B6 and A, and magnesium (good for your blood vessels and bones). They also contain a lot of fibre (to make you feel 'full' and to keep your blood sugar level in balance). And: this cheerfully coloured fruit also contains tryptophan, which is converted by your body into serotonin, which makes you feel good.