Banana Flowers
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Banana flowers come from the centre of the banana tree from the top. The flower is at the end of a banana bunches. They are red-orange to deep purple. They consist of tightly compacted petals that house white tubular flowers. The flower is starchy and slightly bitter with more vegetal flavours, entirely different than the mature banana fruit.
Usage and cultural significance
The flowers is rich in vitamins A and C. In Thailand banana flower is almost always served raw on the side with pad thai. In Vietnam the banana is used in salads and condiments for other dishes. In Indonesian cuisine, banana flowers are mixed with pork and a hot sambal, cooked in a section of bamboo and served at their festivals.