Tag: Plantain facts

According to the USDA, one cup of raw, ripe plantain contains approximately 181 calories, demonstrating a higher sugar and calorie content than green plantains due to the ripening process. The ultimate impact of sweet plantains on your diet depends heavily on how they are prepared, with frying adding significant amounts of fat and calories.

As plantains ripen, a natural biochemical process converts complex starches into simple sugars, causing their flavor profile to change dramatically. Therefore, the simple answer to 'Are yellow plantains sweeter?' is yes, they are, though the level of sweetness and softness depends on just how ripe they are.

While often celebrated for their high potassium and fiber, the amount of iron in green plantain is relatively modest, typically ranging from 0.4 to 2.0 mg depending on preparation and serving size. This makes it a helpful, but not primary, source of this essential mineral.