View Full Version : Just had some Namwa.
Julian
03-06-2013, 01:09 AM
They were being sold as Cambodian Apple banana. I am not a big fan. I actually prefer home grown Dwarf Cavs to this.
robguz24
03-06-2013, 02:46 AM
I've liked them a lot when I've had them, but have never had a whole rack where I'm eating several a day for several days. They do have a certain taste and texture that I can see some not liking. I'm curious what you didn't like about them.
Julian
03-06-2013, 03:35 AM
Remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that I had bought some bananas that I thought were crappy... Well, last week I met a guy who told me that he grows Cambodian Apple. I tried some and that was the same banana. This time I had them when they more on the yellow side, so they were not as offensive as the first time where they had brown spots, but still not that good. I asked my wife about what she thought about the bananas and she said that they were funky tasting. I would agree. Funky, I don't care for the texture and it has a funny taste?
Nicolas Naranja
03-06-2013, 10:04 AM
Remember a few weeks ago I mentioned that I had bought some bananas that I thought were crappy... Well, last week I met a guy who told me that he grows Cambodian Apple. I tried some and that was the same banana. This time I had them when they more on the yellow side, so they were not as offensive as the first time where they had brown spots, but still not that good. I asked my wife about what she thought about the bananas and she said that they were funky tasting. I would agree. Funky, I don't care for the texture and it has a funny taste?
I really like the namwahs. But I would recommend letting them get a little black before you eat them. They are also excellent fried. Just out of curiosity, how much were they being sold for?
Julian
03-06-2013, 10:46 AM
I really like the namwahs. But I would recommend letting them get a little black before you eat them. They are also excellent fried. Just out of curiosity, how much were they being sold for?
I had them black the first time. Maybe they are not Namwa, but someone said that they call Namwa, Cambodian apple. I will buy a few more and take some pictures. I saw them for .99 a pound.
Nicolas Naranja
03-06-2013, 11:01 AM
I had them black the first time. Maybe they are not Namwa, but someone said that they call Namwa, Cambodian apple. I will buy a few more and take some pictures. I saw them for .99 a pound.
Maybe just a personal taste thing. It's definitely a different texture and taste, but when I was selling them most people preferred them. That being said, I don't know what happens to them when they travel through the wholesale markets.
hydroid
03-06-2013, 11:33 AM
That's funny as I've always heard good things about the taste of Namwa. Wonder if they are like some of the others that need to almost over ripen since you mention the texture.
robguz24
03-06-2013, 12:16 PM
Were they kind of chalky and astringent? If so they may have been true Apple aka Silk Fig. Namwahs I'd describe as more rubbery without any of the tartness that DBs have. The Namwahs I've had are good at the same ripeness you'd eat a DB, meaning there doesn't need to be black on the skin.
Julian
03-07-2013, 12:18 AM
Were they kind of chalky and astringent? If so they may have been true Apple aka Silk Fig. Namwahs I'd describe as more rubbery without any of the tartness that DBs have. The Namwahs I've had are good at the same ripeness you'd eat a DB, meaning there doesn't need to be black on the skin.
Can't be Manzano. I ate them greenish yellow, full yellow, with little brown spots and with a lot of brown spots, and there was no astringency at any stage. Almost certain it is Namwa. Kind of rubbery/gooey. Just not my thang.
http://www.bananas.org/f2/who-growing-namwah-4333.html
robguz24
03-07-2013, 02:11 AM
Yeah, certainly sounds like it, thanks for posting that thread too.
cheson74
03-07-2013, 06:22 AM
I have a Dwarf Namwah that will fruit soon. Pstem is about 13 feet with lots of pups. Once the fruit matures, you're more than welcome to have some as a comparison.
Nicolas Naranja
03-07-2013, 08:24 AM
Almost certain it is Namwa. Kind of rubbery/gooey. Just not my thang.
I guess one man's rubbery gooey is another man's creamy. The texture is definitely different.
Kostas
03-07-2013, 09:00 AM
Hi Cheson!
Dwarf Namwah doesn't get anywhere near 13ft pseudostem height,that's about the normal height of Tall Namwah :)
Pancrazio
03-07-2013, 02:36 PM
Hi Cheson!
Dwarf Namwah doesn't get anywhere near 13ft pseudostem height,that's about the normal height of Tall Namwah :)
Thank you for your remark, i was starting to get worried. :D
Julian
03-07-2013, 04:55 PM
I have a Dwarf Namwah that will fruit soon. Pstem is about 13 feet with lots of pups. Once the fruit matures, you're more than welcome to have some as a comparison.
That would be great. I would be able to see if it's really Namwa or not. There's a guy who lives near me in Pearl City that sells these for $.60 a pound. He has three acres of these and he does not know the real cultivar name. He said that they are called Cambodian Apple or Asian Banana. If you ever want to buy some on the cheap, let me know. I can give you his number. Mahalo
Julian
03-07-2013, 05:02 PM
I guess one man's rubbery gooey is another man's creamy. The texture is definitely different.
When I think of creamy I am thinking more of a creamy taste. Like cream added to coffee. I was trying to describe the texture which to me is kind of gooey. There is also an after taste that I don't particularly like. I am picking more up tonight. I will try to get a better grasp of the taste. And truthfully, I still don't know if it is Namwa. What ever it is, it's $.60 a pound, and it's in walking distance to my house. So I will continue to buy it on the cheap, but just as I would not grow Cavs in my own yard, I would not grow these either. My yard is not big enough and this variety is not pleasing enough for my taste buds. I would put real Ice Cream and home grown Cavs over this variety. But to each it's own. Peace and respect.
Nicolas Naranja
03-08-2013, 12:11 AM
Take a picture of the fruit when you buy it.
Julian
03-09-2013, 01:51 AM
Any guesses? I tried it again. I would not say that it is a totally bad tasting banana, but something about that slime like texture and that fruity after taste that can be a little weird.
caliboy1994
03-09-2013, 06:22 AM
Remember store bought bananas always are of lower quality than fresh ones. Fresh Namwah are great.
robguz24
03-09-2013, 01:23 PM
Those look like good, filled out namwahs. We're lucky here that much of the locally grown produce is about as good as what you grow yourself. I'd guess that these weren't picked too early and they're really just not to his liking.
Julian
03-09-2013, 01:56 PM
Remember store bought bananas always are of lower quality than fresh ones. Fresh Namwah are great.
I bought these from a small local farmer. Farm fresh from his home. Maybe I just have to get used to it. It's not as bad as when I first tried it. Just have to get used to it.
Julian
03-09-2013, 02:02 PM
Those look like good, filled out namwahs. We're lucky here that much of the locally grown produce is about as good as what you grow yourself. I'd guess that these weren't picked too early and they're really just not to his liking.
I had a chance to talk to this farmer for a while. Apparently he got the plant from a friend four years ago. He started with 5 plants, and from those he now has several hundred. He said that these will fruit within 6-8 months. Extremely vigorous and in 4 years no BBTV. He said that he also grows DB and Saba Dipig. He has had no DB's with BBTV also, but his Sabas get it. What I found interesting is that on his 3 acre farm, he collect 800-1100 pounds of banana a week. 80 percent are these Cambodian Apples.
Julian
03-10-2013, 02:09 PM
I am going to have to take back what I said about this banana. I tried it again this morning and at this stage it does taste pretty good. Just starting to brown a little. The slimy texture is not really there as much, and that some what offensive fruity flavor has mellowed. Sorry for the confusion peeps. It does taste good, but I still would not grow it in my small setup.
sunfish
03-10-2013, 03:14 PM
Now I'm confused
Julian
03-10-2013, 07:03 PM
Now I'm confused
Sorry. Having had it on a few different occasions, it has grown on me a little. To a point that I can appreciate it. At first I thought it was a little funky and slimy. Now, I think I know when it is at it's best stage, and I have gotten used to the flavor and texture. I can appreciate it now, but it is still not a variety that I would grow in my smallish setup.
Nicolas Naranja
03-10-2013, 08:25 PM
He collect 800-1100 pounds of banana a week. 80 percent are these Cambodian Apples.
That sounds about right, roughly 1200 plants with 30lbs bunches harvested twice per year.
Julian
03-10-2013, 08:33 PM
That sounds about right, roughly 1200 plants with 30lbs bunches harvested twice per year.
That's awesome. I am amazed at what three acres can allow.
Julian
06-18-2013, 08:13 PM
So, I have been buying these namwas every week from my friend because he sells them for a great price... He went to the Philippines for a month so I did not have anything but Cavs and DB for a month... He came back the other week and... I must say, these bananas are good. I take back what I said. I think I ate them to early the first time and that taste stuck with me for a while. Now I eat them when they are perfectly ripe, and they are delicious.
caliboy1994
06-21-2013, 02:37 AM
The texture in the middle was a bit corky for the bunch that I had, but the flavor was excellent.
robguz24
06-21-2013, 12:18 PM
The texture in the middle was a bit corky for the bunch that I had, but the flavor was excellent.
That's a good way to describe it. I really like the taste of them, but am kind of put off by the texture in the middle--same for raja puri.
caliboy1994
06-21-2013, 06:12 PM
Another thing that I noticed is that if they are less ripe they have a sour, apple-like taste on top of the sweet flavor. This goes away and becomes completely sweet if you let them ripen more.
Julian
06-22-2013, 06:42 PM
A little too early, and yeah it has a weird taste. That's why I was so put off by it at first... Now I like it as much as I do my Brazilians. Different but every bit as good.
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