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Tag: Banana Peel

  • Using Banana Peel as an Ingredient Leads to Surprising Results

    Using Banana Peel as an Ingredient Leads to Surprising Results

    Each time you peel a banana and toss the skin, you're discarding a delicious and nutritious treat. Recent research suggests that when banana peels are blanched, dried, and processed into flour, they can be used to make baked goods that are just as tasty, if not tastier, than those made with wheat flour.
    Credit: Pixabay

    Each time you peel a banana and toss the skin, you’re discarding a delicious and nutritious treat. Recent research suggests that when banana peels are blanched, dried, and processed into flour, they can be used to make baked goods that are just as tasty, if not tastier, than those made with wheat flour.

    Unless you’re an avid follower of vegan cooking blogs or a Nigella Lawson fan, you’ve probably never thought about cooking with banana peels. But not only is it completely safe, scientists have shown it’s actually beneficial for your health.

    A Nutritious Addition to Baked Goods Without Sacrificing Taste

    In taste tests, participants found baked goods made with banana peel flour to be just as enjoyable as traditional peel-free sugar cookies. The peels add a generous dose of minerals and nutrients that fight cancer.

    For example, the banana peel-enriched sugar cookies in the study had significantly more fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidant compounds.

    However, adding too much banana peel flour resulted in cookies that were a bit too dark and tough, likely due to the extra fiber. But when only 7.5 percent banana peel flour was used, the cookies had a much more appealing texture.

    Banana Peel Flour Shows Promise Beyond Cookies

    Another perk is that these products stayed fresh at room temperature for three months. While this study focused on cookies, the findings suggest that banana peel flour could be successfully incorporated into breads, cakes, and pasta as well. A recent study even found that banana peel can naturally color cakes while boosting their nutritional value.

    Research from 2016 indicated that substituting up to 10 percent of wheat flour with banana peel flour in bread can increase its protein, carbohydrate, and fat content.

    If baking isn’t your thing, Nigella Lawson has used banana peels in curries, and vegan bloggers have popularized recipes for banana peel bacon and pulled “pork.”

    Reducing Food Waste

    Eating the skin of this fruit is not just healthy; it also helps reduce food waste. The peel accounts for around 40 percent of a banana’s weight, and most of this nutrient-rich skin is usually discarded.

    While raw banana peels aren’t particularly appetizing, they can taste quite good when prepared properly. They may even extend the shelf life of certain foods, as they have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

    The same benefits apply to other fruit peels too. For instance, mango skins have been found to enhance a cake’s antioxidant properties and flavor.

    Next time you peel a banana to enjoy the fruit, think about saving the skin—it could be a treat for your stomach later on.

    Read the original article on: Science Alert

    Read more: Using Banana Peel as an Ingredient Leads to Something Truly Amazing

  • Using Banana Peel as an Ingredient Leads to Something Truly Amazing

    Using Banana Peel as an Ingredient Leads to Something Truly Amazing

    Each time you peel a banana and discard the skin, you're wasting a delicious and nutritious snack.
    Credit: Pixabay

    Each time you peel a banana and discard the skin, you’re wasting a delicious and nutritious snack. A recent study revealed that if banana peels are blanched, dried, and ground into flour, they can be used to make baked goods that are just as tasty, if not tastier, than those made with wheat.

    Unless you’re a regular reader of vegan cooking blogs or a fan of Nigella Lawson, you probably haven’t thought about cooking with banana peels. However, not only is it safe, but scientists have shown it’s also beneficial for your health.

    In taste tests, consumers found the flavors of banana peel-enhanced baked goods just as satisfying as those of traditional sugar cookies.

    A Powerful Source of Minerals and Cancer-Fighting Nutrients

    Moreover, banana peels add a substantial boost of minerals and cancer-fighting nutrients. For example, sugar cookies enriched with banana peel flour in the study had significantly higher levels of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and antioxidants.

    On the downside, using too much banana peel flour resulted in cookies that were somewhat brown and hard, likely due to the extra fiber. However, batches made with flour containing 7.5 percent banana peel achieved a much more desirable texture.

    Additionally, the products had a good shelf life, staying fresh for three months at room temperature.

    Potential Benefits of Banana Peel Flour in Various Baked Goods

    While this study focused on cookies, the results suggest that banana peel flour could be beneficial in other baked goods like bread, cakes, and pasta. For instance, a study last year found that using banana peel in cake provided a natural yellow color and a nutritional boost.

    Not a fan of baking? Nigella Lawson has incorporated banana peels into curry, and vegan bloggers have recently brought attention to banana peel bacon and pulled peel ‘pork’.

    Eating the skin of this fruit isn’t just healthy; it also helps reduce food waste. Approximately 40 percent of a banana’s weight is in its peel, and this nutrient-rich part is often discarded.

    While raw banana peels may seem unappealing, they can taste quite good when prepared properly. Additionally, they may help extend the shelf life of certain products due to their antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.

    This concept applies to other fruit peels as well. For example, mango skin has been shown to enhance a cake’s antioxidant content and improve its flavor.

    So, the next time you peel a banana, consider keeping the skin. Your body might thank you later.

    Read the original article on Science Alert

    Read more: From Fruit Waste To Water-purifying Material