Plantain banana is a hearty, starchy banana variety primarily used for cooking rather than eating raw. Larger and firmer than regular dessert bananas, plantains have a thick peel that transitions from green to yellow to black as they ripen. Their flavor evolves from neutral and starchy when green to mildly sweet when fully ripe.
With a dense texture that holds up well during cooking, plantains are widely used in tropical and subtropical cuisines. They are nutrient-rich, offering complex carbohydrates, potassium, fiber, and essential vitamins.