Bananas are a staple in every fruit bowl. And you can’t have a proper meal course without a soup starter. But what if you combine the two?
In this article, we’ll talk about how to make banana soup at home, plus some health benefits and more.
What is banana soup?
Banana soup, as you can guess, is made with bananas as its flagship ingredient. It is creamy and smooth in texture and has a slightly coconutty taste that isn’t overpowered by the sweetness of the banana. It’s also served chilled, and will cool you right down on a warm summer day!
Some cuisines around the world have a dish up their sleeves known as “plantain soup”. What’s the difference? The clue is in the name—plantains and bananas are not the same. Did you know that?
Bananas are, botanically speaking, a type of berries. What that means is that bananas are generally sweet, and you can eat them raw, i.e. without cooking them.
Plantains, on the other hand, are starchy and not very sweet at all. They require cooking. They’re also a bit bigger than bananas, with a thicker peel.
Having mentioned the difference between the two, there are some popular plantain soups around the world: Ecuador’s Caldo de bolas de verde; Dominican aguají; and Puerto Rican Sopa de plátano, to name a few.
Banana soup is simply a more westernized version of the traditional plantain soup.
How to make banana soup at home
Banana soup takes just 5 minutes to make.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1⁄2 cup heavy cream
- 2 large ripe bananas
- 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1⁄2 tablespoon lemon juice
Preparation instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and process until very smooth.
- Chill in the fridge for about 1/2 hour.
- Serve in bowls and enjoy!
As you can see, this recipe is as simple as they come.
Health benefits
Bananas have always been regarded as highly nutritious foods. Here’s a rundown of a few of their star qualities:
1- Bananas are very nutritious
100 grams (1/2 cup) of bananas contains between 89 and 120 calories (1). They’re low in fat and high in several vital nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidant compounds (2).
2- Bananas may be anti-inflammatory
Some research indicates that the bioactive compounds in bananas might have anti-inflammatory or antioxidant properties (2).
3- They may reduce the risk of heart disease
As we mentioned, bananas are a great source of potassium. You need an adequate potassium intake to help lower blood pressure and maintain a low risk of heart disease (3, 4).
4- High fiber content for healthy digestion
Bananas have a high fiber content. It’s vital to include fiber in your diet as it may prevent diabetes, coronary heart disease, and even certain types of cancer (5).
Final thoughts!
Yes, this is a simple recipe. But the taste and nutrition of banana soup aren’t up to any monkey business.
The next time you have some spare bananas and five minutes, give this recipe a try. And be sure to let us know how it goes!
