Well since I started planting many different varieties a couple years ago, I'm now getting to finally taste new ones on a regular basis. This week it is the "Lady Finger" that I planted 2 years ago, sold by Novelty Greens, the main banana supplier to nurseries in Hawaii. Based on other postings, it is probably the same banana sold at Logee's which they supposedly got from Hawaii 20 years ago or something.
Banana ‘Dwarf Lady Finger’ - Logee's Greenhouses
It's almost certainly a cavendish, and certainly an AAA type if not. The short review is, if you like other cavendish, this is worth growing, and to my tastes anyway, is superior to Williams and Grand Nain. It's maybe 1 foot taller at flowering than the Double Mahois I have, but shorter than Williams.
Still can't decide if I should keep the plant I have or remove it for something more interesting. And to make clear my bias, I'm not a big fan of Cavendish types.
Anyway, here is the report.
TEXTURE- creamy, even when slightly green. A little mealy when as ripe as the ripe one in the picture. Much like a Williams or other Cavendish, which I don’t personally care for.
FIRMNESS-Soft, with same firmness throughout. Again, much like other Cavendish.
SWEETNESS-Very sweet, a bit more than store Cavendish.
TARTNESS-Just the slightest bit of tangy feeling on the finish. More so than other Cavendish, which normally don’t have any.
RIPENESS-Tasted at the ripeness levels almost as in the picture. I ate the yellow one, and another a bit more yellow than the green one.
FLAVOR-It’s pretty good. Better tasting than a store bought Cavendish and even home grown Williams and Grand Naine that I’ve had. It’s kind of in between a Williams and a Gros Michel. The texture is like a Williams, but maybe a bit more to my preference (not as pastey), while the flavor and smell are half way to the delicious, complex flavors in a Gros Michel.
OTHER-Sometimes Cavendish can have the peel strings stick to the ripe fruit, but they didn’t, which is good. The bunch size was big, and the first hand had 31 fingers, more than on any other variety I’ve grown.
OVERALL RATING-This is a tough one. The taste and smell are pleasant, and better than other Cavendish types, and get maybe a 7, but the texture is just too soft and mealy when the flavor is best. Even greenish, they are just too mushy. So maybe 6-6.5 overall, but if you like Cavendish types you’re probably going to love the Lady Finger. After eating the first few I was ready to rip them out, but they have grown on me some.
SUGGESTED USE-Out of hand, desserts, cereal, frozen.