bencelest

I agree with Carmensol. Banana leaves impart a very unique taste whether in fish or rice or what you are cooking.
It is more like your cooking becomes special if they are wrapped or put above the banana leaves while cooking.
So we only do that on special occasions like wedding or Christmas feasts.
It also make the guests envy you for using banana leaves because they are hard to get and just like Anna said, it pains her to cut a part of her precious plant.
It can also be used as decorative while serving dishes on finest Oriental restaurants overseas.
Last Thanksgiving Day my wife asked me if she could have some banana leaves for cooking and I hate to disappoint her but I did. That's how much give importance to my bananas than to our guests.

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Banana Nut