Last week I harvested four bunches of bananas. The two I tasted in this lab were Java Blue and Kru. Both bunches came from trees that had fallen in the banana forest and were picked earlier than usual in order to save the fruit. Nonetheless, after a few days of ripening they were both ready to eat. Java Blue bananas, also known as Ice Cream bananas, are said to have originated anywhere between Southeast Asia and Northern Australia. Kru bananas are a very rare banana plant that is native to the northern region of the island Borneo.

Java Blue Banana Kru Banana
Appearance curved, very large and stout curved, short like Niño banana but thicker fruit
Smell bright, citrusy smell sweet smell like regular banana
Taste sweet, coconut notes very acidic, bright flavor; similar to Apple bananas but more citrusy
Texture creamy texture firmer flesh, but still soft
Other notes thicker peel, but browns quickly; pale yellow peel that bruises easily, white flesh slightly thinner and more radiant yellow peel; more yellow flesh
Java Blue banana next to Kru banana.

Java Blue banana next to Kru banana.

Java Blue banana alongside Kru banana. You can see that the Java Blue banana is larger and more stout.

Java Blue banana alongside Kru banana. You can see that the Java Blue banana is larger and more stout.