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Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

We drove up the hill about 10 minutes from Dominical towards San Isidro. My favorite bananas were at the road side fruit stand. I cut several fingers off the bunch and in my best Spanish asked the lady the name of them. She looked at me with a tilted head and said, "ba-nan-na". I smiled and laughed and agreed and picked up the other types. Finally she said "criollo"!

I think Lorax told me what they were called once, but the locals called them, "Criollos". They were cavendish proportionately, but were thin and had very little neck.

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

We have those here, as well. Also called Criollos. I assumed from flavour and size that they were Pisang Klotek.

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

In the fishing village of Quepos, next to the Gran Escape Restaurant, I found these growing:

They look similar to Bordelons to me. Any other opinions?

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

This third type was called "square" bananas by our Costa Rican guide. We saw them on the Osa Peninsula in very remote Corcovado National Parque. They were located only along the coastal trail inland about 100 meters and for at least 10 miles. I suspect they were planted as a settlers' food source when they were making the long journey up the coast.

Most fruits were not consumed by humans anymore. Our guide said he often saw Peccaries, Tapirs, Monkeys, coati Mundis, and other animals enjoying the ripe fallen bananas.
They look like our old friend Orinicos. Any other opinions?

one more pic...

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Bananas (Post 113333)

We would need to see the whole plant, and especially a few shots of the bunch to see what they are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorax (Post 113334)

We have those here, as well. Also called Criollos. I assumed from flavour and size that they were Pisang Klotek.

'Pisang Klotek' is a Mysore, but those fruits really do not look much at all like Mysore. They look somewhat more like a Gros Michel of some sort, maybe a Cavendish( though they look underdeveloped either way). We really need to see the whole plant to make an ID.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Bananas (Post 113337)

In the fishing village of Quepos, next to the Gran Escape Restaurant, I found these growing:

They look similar to Bordelons to me. Any other opinions?

They are a M. acuminata of some sort, perhaps subspecies zebrina but the taxonomy is a bit fuzzy in this area.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Bananas (Post 113352)

Those are certainly 'Orinoco'. Another name I have heard for them is 'Quadrano' which is reference to their 4-sided, "square" fruit.

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

Good call! How long have you known that Pisang Klotek is Mysore Gabe? From the description and photos in the Wiki and on Google I'd say you are correct! Mystery solved. :)

Btw, those fruits look nothing like my Pisang Klotek (Mysore) fruit.

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

I suppose I've known for awhile...sorry!

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

LOL...Gabe to the rescue once again!

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Bananas (Post 113352)

That third "banana" you encountered is a Guineo Cuadrado and it is a platano rather than a banana. They grow on our place like weeds.

When they are green they are used in soups and I have heard they can be fried. When they have matured to yellow they are eaten fresh. They are tasty but are not as sweet as the regular bananas.

Re: Mostly Unknown Bananas from Costa Rica