Whether plantain bananas are sweet depends on their ripeness. Unripe, green plantains are not sweet, possessing a starchy flavor. However, ripe, yellow or brown plantains develop a concentrated sweet flavor.
Here's a breakdown:
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Unripe Plantains (Green):
- Flavor: Mild and starchy.
- Use: Typically used in savory dishes, often fried or boiled. They are similar to potatoes in texture and flavor.
-
Ripe Plantains (Yellow/Brown/Black):
- Flavor: Sweet and more banana-like.
- Use: Suitable for desserts or as a sweet side dish. The riper they are, the sweeter they become. The dark coloring indicates higher sugar content.
Therefore, plantains can be sweet if they are allowed to ripen properly.
