Bountiful banana

A TENNIS match is in progress. The end of a set and the player goes to his courtside seat. He rummages in the bag for a quick pick up. Is it a soft drink? A sweet? An energy pill? You are nowhere near. It is the humble banana that he lobs in for a rapid return of energy. The banana serves him well. Game, set and match for this everyday fruit.

A major bus depot in Chennai. Driver Kannappan walks home after a late night shift. On the way he stops at the only `pottikadai' with lights on. Four ripe `vazhappazhams', a glass of water and there is a spring in his step. The banana has won another round.

The prasadam at the temple. The `abhishekam' for the deity. The `panchamirtham' in the tin. The gift bag at a wedding. The `tamboolam' at a kolu. There is no occasion auspicious or otherwise without the benign presence of the yellow fruit. ``The `kathaleepazham' used for puja is a bit like the Almighty himself,'' smiles Sanskrit scholar P.S.Krishnan. ``It is omnipresent and has various manifestations. (Poovan, Peyan, Karpooravalli, Mutti, Robusta). It is a profitable crop to grow. And with honey and sugar it makes an excellent snack. To talk about the banana is to talk of a `tremendous trifle'.''

Common it may be but the banana can boast of royal ancestry. It is Alexander the Great who discovered it in India in 327 BC. A Spanish monk carried some banana root to the Caribbean during the heyday of exploration. From there to mainland America was just a short sail. In 1876, this new and `exotic' fruit was exhibited in Philadelphia and sold for 10 cents each, wrapped in silver foil.

Its name has its own story. The Greek call it `Musa' and believe it descended from Heaven. As it spread its roots, the fruit acquired a number of aliases like banna, ghana and funana. It is the Africans who fixed its present name. In India, the banana is `plantain' or the `fruit of the wise men'. Why? Pick your own yarn for this. May be wise men meditated in a banana plantation. May be they lived on the banana, went bananas over it. Or owed their wisdom to its composition.

Lorry loads of bunches from all over the south drive into the city's markets at Jam Bazaar, Koyembedu and Tambaram for early morning auctions. Ten to 16-lakh fruits are sold every day in the different mandis. Is the Chennaiite peeling his way to health?

"The banana is an exciting source of nutrition with 16 per cent of the fibre, 15 per cent of the Vitamin C and 11 per cent of the potassium we need every day,'' says Dr. Ramesh. ``It is low in calories and contains no fat or sodium. It has enough energy to keep us on our feet all day (just don't slip on a skin). Researchers tell us that potassium reduces the risk of hypertension and stroke. The aged find it a good laxative."

"Its 116 calories include calcium, phosphorous, iron and vitamins A, B and C,'' says Nathar Bava, Joint Director, handing me the brochure brought out by his Horticulture Department. ``Banana powder is added to baby cereals. It is the only fruit that is harvested every day of the year. Try the ones grown in lower Palani.''

Does Ayurveda pack a banana punch? Yes, it does and Nendranpazham is the preferred variety. ``It has iron and protein and is recommended for vada, pitha and kapa (read `everyone'). Even diabetics can take it,'' prescribes Dr. Radhakrishnan, RIMP. "Rastali cools the digestive system, and the `mountain' variant is good for kids. The red cousin is high in carbohydrate and sugar so we keep away from it.'' He warms to his theme. ``Steam the Nendran, mash, mix with milk and start a six-month-old on this and watch him grow! You know why a ripe banana is served at the end of a feast?'' Is it? And who eats it? ``It coats the stomach, protecting it from spices.'' That is if you can swallow it.

So take a hand of bananas home slightly raw and store it on a banana hanger or a hook to avoid `resting bruises'.

It ripens at room temperature. To speed up the process put the bunch in a paper bag and add a tomato. Push it into the fridge and it stays fresh and firm for a week. Only you need to peel off the darkened skin before you offer it to anyone.

Salad, punch, shake or split - make the banana your daily companion. It comes in Nature's own wrapper and remains unadulterated. Just unveil it for a wholesome bite. Add it sliced to cold cereal.

Whip it into a pancake or a sweet muffin. Beat it with a foamy glass of yoghurt. Or take it in a bowl of mixed fruit.

Eat a banana with your lunch or dinner. Take it during sports and share it with your friends.

GEETA PADMANABHAN

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