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Gabe15 · 04-14-2017, 02:52 PM

Hello and Welcome.

If you're going for the standard supermarket banana experience in your backyard, then I'd say your bar is pretty low. Theres not much to be desired in that experience, and I think if you're to go through all the effort to grow your own bananas, then expanding your criteria for what is a desirable banana-eating experience will result in much more success.

You also live in a relatively marginal area for banana growing climate wise. It can definitely be done, but the choice of varieties which have a chance of doing well is much more limited than in warmer areas. This just depends on the specific tolerances of different varieties, and so the ability to produce fruit at all must supercede potential eating quality in your case.

All that being said, taste is totally subjective, and the same varieties can vary in quality depending on where they were grown, how they are handled, and exactly how you end up using them, so you're never going figure out exactly what you like best until you try it yourself.

Considering the plants you have, 'California Gold' and 'Dwarf Orinoco' are basically the same thing. Their taste and texture is very different from a typical store bought Cavendish type banana, and that upsets people sometimes, but they shouldn't be taken as inferior by any means. They are very hardy plants, and so are some of the most reliable producers in a marginal area such as yours. The fruit is also very versatile, and is useful both as a sweet dessert banana for fresh eating, smoothies etc..., and also as a cooking banana.

The 'Double Mahoi', which should be correctly referred to as 'Double Cavendish' (as the true 'Mahoi'/'Mahoe' is a totally different plant, and possibly extinct), is a type of Cavendish banana whose fruit quality is pretty similar to the store bought ones, they are very closely related. However, the fruit is much smaller, and the plants are not nearly as productive as their commercial cousins. The multi-bunching feature is unstable and often haphazard, resulting in all manner of very interesting but rarely efficient fruit production. In addition, being a Cavendish variety, this cultivar is not considered particularly cold-hardy, and may struggle in your area. Other members in similar climates who may have grown them can hopefully chime in with specific experiences.

I would encourage you to look into trying out 'Namwah' or 'Dwarf Namwah'. They are very hardy, relatively productive, and easy to grow plants. They too are quite different from Cavendish bananas, but don't let that stop you from growing them if you want homegrown bananas. They make really great backyard bananas which can be real work-horses if properly cared for.

04-14-2017, 02:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
Gabe15 Moderator Gabe15's Photo Gallery Location: Oahu, Hawaii Find me on the map! Zone: 12 Name: Gabe Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3,892 BananaBucks : 13,504,497 Feedback: 5 / 100% Said "Thanks" 2 Times Was Thanked 8,246 Times in 2,201 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 8 Times	Re: Banana taste comparison? Hello and Welcome. If you're going for the standard supermarket banana experience in your backyard, then I'd say your bar is pretty low. Theres not much to be desired in that experience, and I think if you're to go through all the effort to grow your own bananas, then expanding your criteria for what is a desirable banana-eating experience will result in much more success. You also live in a relatively marginal area for banana growing climate wise. It can definitely be done, but the choice of varieties which have a chance of doing well is much more limited than in warmer areas. This just depends on the specific tolerances of different varieties, and so the ability to produce fruit at all must supercede potential eating quality in your case. All that being said, taste is totally subjective, and the same varieties can vary in quality depending on where they were grown, how they are handled, and exactly how you end up using them, so you're never going figure out exactly what you like best until you try it yourself. Considering the plants you have, 'California Gold' and 'Dwarf Orinoco' are basically the same thing. Their taste and texture is very different from a typical store bought Cavendish type banana, and that upsets people sometimes, but they shouldn't be taken as inferior by any means. They are very hardy plants, and so are some of the most reliable producers in a marginal area such as yours. The fruit is also very versatile, and is useful both as a sweet dessert banana for fresh eating, smoothies etc..., and also as a cooking banana. The 'Double Mahoi', which should be correctly referred to as 'Double Cavendish' (as the true 'Mahoi'/'Mahoe' is a totally different plant, and possibly extinct), is a type of Cavendish banana whose fruit quality is pretty similar to the store bought ones, they are very closely related. However, the fruit is much smaller, and the plants are not nearly as productive as their commercial cousins. The multi-bunching feature is unstable and often haphazard, resulting in all manner of very interesting but rarely efficient fruit production. In addition, being a Cavendish variety, this cultivar is not considered particularly cold-hardy, and may struggle in your area. Other members in similar climates who may have grown them can hopefully chime in with specific experiences. I would encourage you to look into trying out 'Namwah' or 'Dwarf Namwah'. They are very hardy, relatively productive, and easy to grow plants. They too are quite different from Cavendish bananas, but don't let that stop you from growing them if you want homegrown bananas. They make really great backyard bananas which can be real work-horses if properly cared for. __________________ Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.