Tag: Plantain classification

According to the Produce for Better Health Foundation, plantains are technically fruits but are almost always cooked and served as a vegetable. This unique position often leads to confusion about its proper classification, leaving many to wonder, what class of food is fried plantain?

Though often mistaken for a large banana, plantains are botanically distinct and primarily cultivated for cooking. The classification of a plantain places it in the same genus as the common banana, *Musa*, but with different hybrid ancestry and culinary uses that set it apart. These starchy, tropical fruits are a staple food for millions worldwide.