twotallgirls

So this might be sacrilegious but wondering why everyone is looking for Blue Java… Mine was a real letdown. Indeed the Blue Java is a very tall, pretty banana plant and the full bunch was definitely an interesting blue/green, and keeps throwing off pups. However, the fruit was a disappointment at each stage (and the fruit took forever to mature). It was more of a creamy than most but at full ripeness was just too soft, somewhat mushy and peeling was a real drag, just to get a little more sweetness. I guess it had a nice tart… just lacking in sweetness and substance. Once fully ripe it was difficult to peel and left lots of stings attached. Sort of a boring fruit compared to so many others that are available. Plus, I did have to prop it up (what I understand it also a trait). Gave up eating and just froze them for smoothies, cooking, etc. A disappointment... My Raja Puri was so much more a superior fruit. So was my Goldfinger. Next up is Namwah (to compare) and Brazilian.

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Blue Java, Raja Puri, Goldfinger FHIA-01, Mona Lisa FHIA-02, Sweetheart FHIA-03, Pitogo, Saba, Dwarf Cavendish, Super Dwarf Cav., Namwa, Brazilian, Mysore, Dwarf Red, and a mystery or two

smeash

Ive seen a few reviews of Blue Java, and most said they preferred namwah over them. I think most people seek them out, as they are a bit of trouble to find a real one. If something is somewhat rare, and have a unique characteristic (fruit color), it makes them desirable i think. When i first started with bananas, I was all about the Blue Java.. it was the only one i wanted to grow.. thankfully I got suckered by an online nursery and ended up with namwah.. I did get a real blue java pup from Akula this year, and its growing beautifully, and is a great looking plant, but I'm much more excited to see my namwah produce than the blue java.

raygrogan

Agreed. Except what you are doing - freezing for smoothies - does show off their finest trait. I happened to have a rack of the usual tall Brazilian and Blue Java ripe at exactly the same time, and got to watch responses from about 10 people. Everyone wanted to try the Blue Java, since it was new to us, but I had to "serve" (do the tricky peeling you mentioned, then cut into slices). Everyone raved about them ... but then as the week went on only the Brazilians got hits, nobody went for seconds with the Blues. Me included. I was drawn to the Brazilians. So the blues went into "pre-daiquiris". In the blender, about 50-50, with lime juice, tasted for that just right sweet-sour balance, then frozen in Ziplocks thin enough to break apart. Then when the mood is right for a tasty daiquiri, you just need to add a little cheap rum and bust up the frozen paradise. We had several versions - some with Brazilian bananas (super black over-ripe), some with the blues, some with more soursop, mango, strawberries, etc. When the batch with Blue Java hit the blender, there were comments like, "this one really has great banana flavor".

Señor Pavo

I wanted them for the ornamental aspect. I want one of every variety I can find.

I have a few varieties that I don't even care to eat, but grow them just to have. Next I want to find a A’ea’e!!

Yug

Hell, I'm growing them just to see what the hype is, and I've not had that type before. Most of the types I've grown all had some sort of appeal about them.

twotallgirls

So I may need to be less harsh than my bunch I reported earlier. My second bunch was much better. Still soft but had more sweetness and pealing it was not as big a hassle. I harvested a little earlier than planned as the p-stem snapped in half and was not recoverable. I didn't prop this one which was a mistake. So maybe they get better as the mat ages or that it was harvested earlier. Anyway, still going to relocate it from its prime spot in my garden and try a FHIA 23 next.

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Blue Java, Raja Puri, Goldfinger FHIA-01, Mona Lisa FHIA-02, Sweetheart FHIA-03, Pitogo, Saba, Dwarf Cavendish, Super Dwarf Cav., Namwa, Brazilian, Mysore, Dwarf Red, and a mystery or two

smeash

Glad to hear you update your original post. While it certainly isnt going to be the only banana I grow, i am excited to have the variety in my collection. With that said, I have about 14 large plants of different varieties in my yard, and the blue java was the only one that uprooted during hurricane Sally recently. I managed to get her stood back up and tied her off to a 4x4x8 post. She appears to be growing again, and has thrown off 2 pups.

momoese

I grew Ice Cream for one bunch and out. Not enough acid for me, and the texture was too fluffy. Beautiful plants and fruits but just not for me.