National Banana Day takes place on the third Wednesday in April — April 17 this year — and we are preparing to have an amazing day doing the best thing with bananas … eating them! Can you believe that bananas are one of the oldest cultivated fruits in the world? Bananas’ popularity spans across the world and there are thousands of banana varieties. Bananas are beneficial and versatile, and can be used in puddings, muffins, pies, sandwiches, bread, cakes, and more.
History of National Banana Day
Bananas are popular globally, irrespective of the variety, and they get an impressively huge consumption all around the world. Bananas are edible berry fruits that grow in fingerlike clusters, hanging down from a banana tree. Undoubtedly, the banana fruit is a favorite of many folks. We love bananas too! Their softness and unmatched sweetness make them special, coupled with the numerous health benefits they possess. Bananas are good sources of vitamins, carbohydrates, amino acids, and fats.
Bananas can be eaten as a meal when peeled, and can also be included in other forms of food, such as banana bread, pies, chips, cakes, muffins, or smoothies. Annually, more than one hundred billion bananas are produced and circulated across the world.
The exact history of National Banana Day cannot be traced to a particular year. Bananas were first brought westward from India and other Asian countries by Arab traders around 327 B.C. The fruit spread through Africa and was eventually carried to the New World by explorers and missionaries. The large-scale bananas began in 1834 when they gained popularity and demand. However, 1865 is remarkably noted to be the year bananas gained popularity on the American shores. The first company that dealt in banana importation into America was the Boston Fruit Company founded by Lorenzo Dow Baker.
National Banana Day timeline
Southeast Asian countries modernize strategies for growing many bananas.
Following the Civil War, Americans begin the consumption of bananas.
Lorenzo Dow Baker’s company imports bananas.
The 20th century marks an influx of bananas into many economies.
National Banana Day FAQs
What is special about National Banana Day?
The creation of the National Banana Day is to appreciate the fruit’s many benefits. All around the world, bananas are a good addition to the meal schedule and are often part of the recommendation by physicians to recuperate patients.
Is a banana a berry or fruit?
The fact is that all berries are fruits, therefore, berries are a class of fruit. Bananas grow from a flower with a single ovary, having a soft and sweet middle, and also contain one or more seeds. All these qualities make bananas botanically berries.
How many bananas should you eat?
The ability to balance and choose varieties based on preference are hallmarks of a healthy diet. There is no specific number of bananas that is recommended for consumption daily but one to two per day is a good start.
How To Celebrate National Banana Day
Eat bananas
Some people may dislike bananas… but we love them. And what better way to celebrate National Banana Day than by eating them!
Post on social media
Create massive awareness for those who are oblivious of this day. You can take pictures of you and your loved ones having a great time with bananas, and post them on social media using the hashtag #NationalBananaDay.
Buy some banana cupcakes
Spread the love for bananas around your neighborhood; visit the grocery store to shop for bananas, and buy banana cupcakes for your children.
5 Fun Facts About Bananas
The oldest fruit cultivated
Interestingly, bananas are the oldest cultivated fruits in the world.
They can be consumed in various way
Bananas can be eaten uncooked, and can also be processed or baked.
It has over a thousand varieties
There are about 1,000 varieties, but Cavendish is popular in the U.S.
The banana plant is an herb
The banana plant is used for treating a wide range of illnesses.
The most popular fruit in the world
It can be found in virtually any kind of grocery store or market.
Why We Love National Banana Day
Bananas are highly nutritious
Bananas are one of the best sources of vitamin B6, which helps the body to produce red blood cells, metabolize fats, carbohydrates, and amino acids. Also, bananas contain sucrose, fructose, and glucose which are good sources of energy for the body. Overall, bananas add great value to the human body.
Bananas are a superfood
Bananas, in comparison to apples, have two times the levels of carbohydrates, three times as much phosphorus, and about five times as much vitamin A and iron. Even people with diabetes can eat bananas.
They serve as a source of income
From time immemorial, the selling of fruits has generated steady sources of income for farmers, manufacturers, and retailers of food products.
National Banana Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | April 20 | Wednesday |
| 2023 | April 19 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | April 17 | Wednesday |
| 2025 | April 16 | Wednesday |
| 2026 | April 15 | Wednesday |
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