What is Banana, Kela? Glossary | Benefits, Uses, Recipes with banana, kela |

In India, the banana, known as "Kela," is far more than just a fruit; it's deeply woven into the country's cultural, religious, and culinary fabric. As one of the most widely cultivated and consumed fruits, its abundance and year-round availability make it an accessible and affordable source of nutrition for millions. India boasts a vast array of banana varieties, from the common Cavendish (often called Basrai or Robusta), which is ideal for everyday consumption and shakes, to unique regional varieties like the small, sweet Yelakki (elaichi banana) or the starchy Nendran, which is specifically used for cooking and making crispy chips. This diversity ensures bananas cater to every palate and purpose, from a quick snack to a key ingredient in elaborate meals.

Beyond its dietary role, the banana plant holds profound spiritual and symbolic significance in India. Revered as the "Kalpavriksha" or wish-fulfilling tree in Hindu mythology, every part of the plant is considered sacred and utilized. Banana leaves frequently serve as traditional, eco-friendly plates for serving meals, especially during festivals, religious ceremonies, and celebratory occasions, signifying purity and auspiciousness. The fruit itself is a common offering to deities like Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, symbolizing prosperity, fertility, and abundance. Even the banana plant itself is worshipped in certain rituals, with its presence at weddings and pujas indicative of growth, good fortune, and an auspicious beginning.

Also known as

Kela, Vazhaipazham, Baalehannu

How to select Banana, Kela?

• Buy fairly firm bananas with smooth skin.

• Prefer bananas with the stem intact, as ones that are open at the eyes tend to attract flies and mosquitoes! In case you end up with an open one, remember to cut off the edge before consuming the fruit.

• Different varieties of bananas have different flavours, aromas and medicinal properties too. Be aware of these, and choose as per the requirement.

• There are three ways to see if a banana is ripe: it gives in slightly when you press, it gives off a fruity rather than sappy smell, and it can be plucked off the stem easily.

9 ways to use Banana, Kela.

1. This is one of the tasty fruit you can just peel and relish as it is!. 

2. It is also an integral part of fruit salads, including those served with cream, custard etc. You can pair banana with other fruits or vegetables and enjoy them as chaat Mixed fruit chaat,  or salad like Apple banana dates salad, Banana cucumber salad, Fruits and vegetable salad.

3. It can also be mashed and used in many sweet dishes like sweet Unni appam, Banana walnut pancake, Strawberry banana ice cream, Baked peanut butter oatmeal with Banana and egg and many more recipes with mash banana. 

4. Banana puree is given to infants as a first-food, since it is easy to digest and has an attractive flavour too.  Baby will love to have Banana Smoothie, Banana apple porridge, Nutritious Sprouts and banana porridge

5. banana date milkshake recipe | date banana protein rich smoothie | healthy Indian banana date milkshake| creamy banana shake | banana milkshake with dates |  One serving of banana date milkshake has 9.3 grams of protein ( 17% of RDA).  See details in calories of banana date milkshake.

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6. Of course, there is the ever popular Banana Split, a sundae of sliced bananas topped with different ice creams, sauces and nuts. Banana butterscotch ice cream, Banana Apple kulfi, 

7. Dip sliced bananas in batter and deep fry to make Banana fritters. Goreng Pisang, a mouth watering chinese dessert made with deep-fried Bananas will be liked by everyone after a chinese meal.

8. Bananas are often used to flavour cakes and muffins. The famous Banana Walnut muffins needs no introduction. Try our Banana Chocolate cake.

9. Raw Banana can be cut into chips, fried and then salted or spiced with chilli powder Yellow banana chips, Spicy yellow banana chips  and enjoyed during your leisure time, fun time, travelling time or picnic time.  You can use black pepper instead of chilli power for change in spicy flavour of your banana chips.

How to store Banana, Kela?

• They can be kept at normal temperatures for several days. However, remember that they will continue to ripen as the days pass, so buy only as many as you can eat in a day or two.

• Always store at room temperature, covered by a net to keep away flies.

• Do not store bananas under refrigerated conditions since they have a tendency to turn black at low temperatures.

• Also it is not advisable to cut or chop and store them as they turn black and soggy. 

7 Incredible Health Benefits of Banana, Kela

1. Bananas Provides Energy
 

Bananas serve as nature's perfect energy bars, offering a quick and convenient power boost for active individuals and health-conscious eaters alike. Their remarkable energy-boosting properties stem from their unique carbohydrate profile - packed with readily digestible natural sugars including glucose, fructose, and sucrose. These fast-acting carbohydrates enter the bloodstream quickly, delivering almost instant energy when you need it most.  

What makes bananas particularly special is their combination of these simple sugars with beneficial fiber, which helps moderate sugar absorption and prevents energy crashes. This makes them superior to processed sugary snacks, providing sustained vitality rather than just a fleeting sugar rush. Their natural packaging makes them the ultimate grab-and-go energy source, perfect for pre-workout fuel, mid-day pick-me-ups, or post-exercise recovery.

Beyond quick energy, bananas also contain essential electrolytes like potassium that support muscle function and hydration - another reason they're favored by athletes and fitness enthusiasts worldwide. Whether you're hitting the gym, going for a run, or simply need an afternoon energy lift, this humble tropical fruit delivers clean, natural energy in its most wholesome form.

2. Banana High in Potassium

Banana is high in potassium. Potassium helps normalize the heartbeat and regulates the body's water balance. During high stress situations, when the levels of potassium dip, eating bananas is beneficial. High potassium diets are shown to reduce blood pressure in hypertensive individuals .

Click on to know more about the 7 Incredible health benefits of Banana, Kela.