Banana leaves are commonly used in cooking and decoration in tropical and subtropical cultures. They are used as wrappers for food and add a subtle flavor. When used decoratively, they are often used whole with stems attached. Frozen and dried banana leaves are available for use.
Banana leaves are the leaves of the banana bush, a tropical plant of the genus Musa. The leaves are used in cooking and also decoratively in many tropical and subtropical cultures, because they are readily available. In areas outside the tropics, banana leaves are sometimes found frozen in Asian and Latin American grocery stores, and are also available dried. Some florists will also order fresh banana leaves, but these tend to be expensive.
The most common use for the banana leaf is culinary. Banana leaves are used for serving and preparing food in a number of countries. In places like India and Southeast Asia, it’s not uncommon for a whole banana leaf to serve as a dish. The food is artfully placed on the banana leaf and eaten with the hands or small loaves. Banana leaf shreds can also be used as a side dish, especially in more upscale restaurants that want to celebrate their cultural heritage without bewildering guests.
Banana leaf is also an ideal wrapper for food. In China, sticky rice is wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed before serving. The leaves are also used to wrap tamales in tropical regions of South America. Whole banana leaves can also be used to wrap a large roast, such as Polynesian pork roast. Other Asian nations prepare a wide assortment of dishes with banana leaf wrappers, especially in tropical regions. In all these cases, the banana leaf adds a subtle flavor to the food and makes it conveniently portable.
When using a banana leaf for cooking, the hard edges and central stem are removed. Many frozen and dried banana leaves have already been destemmed, but the edges will still need to be trimmed. To use frozen banana leaves, run the leaves under warm water to allow them to thaw before serving in a dish. Dried banana leaves can be rehydrated in hot water before use. In all cases, the banana leaf must be handled gently to avoid cracking or breaking.
When used decoratively, banana leaves are almost always used whole, with the stems attached. At parties and resorts with tropical themes, the banana leaf is a fixture. For this purpose, dried and fresh banana leaves are used, depending on the duration of the decorations. Banana leaves can also be used as straw to protect people from mild and inclement weather such as tropical drizzle.
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