The Blue Java banana is unique among the most incredible fruits throughout the world. This banana type is popular as it's said to taste like Vanilla Ice Cream. It's also called the Hawaiian banana or the Ice Cream banana. Some people call it Cenizo, especially those in Central America.

This banana type is called Blue Java because it has aqua blue shading peels when unripe. They have an appealing, sweet aroma with a flavor of vanilla bean. They're also fluffier and creamier than typical Chiquita bananas.

The Blue Java banana originates from Southeast Asia. It's commonly grown in the Hawaiian Islands. The fruit is rich in potassium, a mineral that supports nerve cell response and muscle contraction.

When you look at the unripe Blue Java banana peel, you might assume it's frozen. This's because it has a frosted tinge around it.

When ripe, the peels are pale yellow or greenish. The inside is whitish yellow.

This Banana variety is a tropical fruit. It can do well in cold regions, unlike most banana types. It can grow in cold temperatures as low as -7C/20F.

How to grow Blue Java Banana

If you wish to plant Ice Cream banana in your home, there are things you need to know about the plant. In the US, the Blue Java banana grows in USDA's zones between 9b and 11. But if you're in zone 8, you can also grow the plant.

A mature Blue Java banana tree grows up to 15 or 20 feet high. And if you plant pseudostems, it'll take around 9 months from the time the first leaves appear to maturity of the fruits.

Gardening tips for growing Blue Java Banana

Watering

Watering a banana tree is essential. It'll grow well in mushy conditions on warm, fertile soil.

During the early stage of the plant, water it adequately and regularly. But don't flood it. It's also essential to examine soil depth to avoid occasions of water uprooting the banana tree.

Manuring

Use NPK fertilizer with a 3:1:6 nutrient ratio. When the plant is 1 foot tall, nurture it with one cup of fertilizer every month.

Sprinkle the fertilizer around the plant base and pour water to drain the particles into the soil.

Add one cup of fertilizer to the manuring mixture, for every 2 feet growth of the plant. This'll improve the growth of the banana tree.

Pruning

Prune the plant leaves to enhance photosynthesis. Leave at least 1 shoot around the tree. Excess shoots compete for nutrients which can cause the plant to become stunted.

Sunlight

A banana plant requires medium to full sunlight for it to germinate. But a constant overcast can damage the plant.

Uses of Blue Java banana

A Blue Java banana plant has thick leaves. You can use them as alternatives for aluminum foils or material papers to wrap foods. You can also use them in steaming, boiling, and barbecuing.

The fruit is a source of energy, and you can eat it instead of ice cream. A 100 gram of Blue Java banana contains 22.8g carbs, 0.3g fat, and 89 calories.

Blue Java Banana fruit can replace ordinary bananas in all recipes. They can be used in smoothies, cakes, banana oat cookies, and banana pancakes.