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Banana Cultivars

As a community living at the edge of the Amazon Rain Forest in one of the top Banana-producing countries in the world, we at Terra Frutis are proud to be self-sufficient in banana production and in the number of varieties of bananas that we grow.

At Terra Frutis, we grow 14 types of bananas and plantains (genus Musa).

  1. Filipino
  2. Orito
  3. Namwah
  4. Caben
  5. Guineo Norte
  6. Guineo Verde
  7. Plantain
  8. Small Plantain
  9. Orinoco
  10. Popoulu
  11. Red
  12. Ceda
  13. Maqueño
  14. Apple

Filipino

The Filipino banana, known as “Saba,” is a beloved tropical fruit native to the Philippines. Its distinct characteristics include a thick, sturdy peel that ranges from green to yellow when ripe. Saba bananas are known for their firm yet creamy texture and sweet flavor with subtle hints of tanginess.

Photo of many bunches of large yellow banans
Cavendish bananas

Unlike other varieties, Saba bananas are often cooked or used in desserts such as banana cue or turon, thanks to their natural sweetness that caramelizes beautifully when heated. This versatile fruit holds a special place in Filipino culinary traditions and is enjoyed in various forms, showcasing the country’s rich agricultural heritage.

Orito

The Orito banana originates from the Orito municipality in Colombia. It is known for its vibrant yellow peel, smooth texture, and elongated shape. This banana variety is prized for its sweet and rich flavor, often described as a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess.

Photo of a small bunch of small yellow banans
Orito Banans

It’s not only delicious but also highly nutritious, packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber. Its versatility allows it to be enjoyed as a healthy snack, added to smoothies or baked goods, and even used in savory dishes. Overall, the Orito banana offers a delightful tropical eating experience that is loved by banana enthusiasts around the world.

Namwah

The Namwah banana, is a popular variety known for its curved shape and sweet flavor. Originating from Southeast Asia, this banana cultivar is highly regarded for its versatility in culinary applications and has become a favorite choice for both fresh consumption and cooking.

Photo of several bananas hanging on S-hooks from a metal rod. In the background can be read "Market / Bank of Australia"
Lady Finger Bananas

The Namwah banana’s flesh is creamy and smooth, with a delicate texture that easily melts in the mouth. Its slightly tangy and aromatic taste adds depth to smoothies, baked goods, and desserts. Whether eaten on its own or used as an ingredient, the Namwah banana offers a delightful tropical experience.

Caben

The Caben banana is a unique and distinct fruit characterized by its vibrant yellow color, elongated shape, and slightly curved appearance. It is known for its delightfully sweet and aromatic taste, making it a favorite among banana enthusiasts.

The Caben banana boasts a smooth, velvety texture and a creamy flesh that melts in your mouth, providing a heavenly eating experience. With its rich nutritional profile, packed with vitamins, minerals, and fiber, this versatile fruit can be enjoyed on its own, as a topping for desserts, or as an ingredient in smoothies and baked goods.

Guineo Norte

The Guineo Norte banana, also known as the North Guineo banana, is a popular tropical fruit that originates from the regions of Central and South America. It is characterized by its vibrant yellow color, thick peel, and elongated shape.

Photos of several green bunches of bananas next to a sign that reads "Guineo Banans / Grown in Guatemala / 99 cents lb"
Guineo Bananas

The Guineo Norte banana is known for its sweet and creamy flavor, making it a favorite choice for eating fresh or incorporating into various culinary recipes. This variety of banana is rich in essential nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and fiber, providing numerous health benefits like improving digestion and supporting heart health. With its delightful taste and nutritional profile, the Guineo Norte banana continues to be a beloved fruit enjoyed by people all around the world.

Guineo Verde

The Guineo Verde banana, also known as the green banana, is a tropical fruit that is popular for its unique taste and versatility. It is characterized by its pale green color and firm texture, which distinguishes it from its ripe yellow counterpart.

The Guineo Verde banana has a slightly starchy and less sweet flavor compared to fully ripened bananas, making it perfect for cooking and adding a subtle sweetness to savory dishes. This banana variety is commonly used in Latin American and Caribbean cuisines, where it is a staple ingredient in dishes like tostones, mofongo, and banana chips. Additionally, guineo verde bananas are a good source of dietary fiber and contain essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious addition to any diet.

Plantain

Plantains are starchy and elongated fruits that are native to tropical regions. They resemble bananas but are larger and have a thicker skin which is green when unripe and turns yellow or black when ripe. Plantains are highly versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways. While they are a member of the banana family, plantains have a lower sugar content and a higher starch content, giving them a distinct, slightly savory flavor.

Photo of a many bunches of blackend-yellow, large plantains
Plantains

They are commonly used in Latin American, African, and Caribbean cuisines, adding a unique taste and texture to dishes. With their firm texture and ability to withstand high temperatures, plantains are a favorite ingredient in both sweet and savory recipes.

Small Plantain

Our “small plantain” variety is similar to the “plantain” variety, yet smaller.

Orinoco

The Orinoco banana is a medium to large-sized fruit with a slightly curved shape and a vibrant yellow skin that turns black when fully ripe. This delicious banana offers a rich and creamy texture, delightfully sweet flavor, and a hint of tanginess. It is highly sought after for its versatility in culinary applications, perfect for snacking, baking, or blending into smoothies.

Photo of a rack of green bananas
Orinoco Banans

With its exceptional taste and versatility, the Orinoco banana remains a top choice amongst banana enthusiasts around the world.

Popoulu

The Popoulu banana is beloved for its unique characteristics. With a bright yellow peel that is slightly thicker than traditional bananas, the Popoulu banana offers a delightful crunch when bitten into.

Photo of a rack of Bananas under a label that reads "Popoulou (AAB)"
Popoulou Bananas

Its flesh is creamy and velvety, with an irresistible sweetness that is balanced by subtle hints of tartness. This variety of banana is known for its intense flavor and excellent nutritional value, making it a popular choice for both snacking and incorporating into a variety of dishes. Whether used in smoothies, desserts, or simply enjoyed on its own, the Popoulu banana truly captures the essence of the exotic and delicious tropical fruit.

Red

Red bananas are a unique variant of the traditional yellow bananas, distinguished by their vibrant red or maroon skin. Although their appearance may be eye-catching, the taste and texture are similar to the classic yellow variety.

Photo of a small bunch of bananas that are red and black
Red Bananas

Red bananas are typically sweeter and creamier compared to their yellow counterparts, with a hint of berry flavor. They are also slightly softer and tend to have a shorter shelf life due to their higher sugar content. Red bananas are a delightful and exotic addition to fruit salads, desserts, or enjoyed on their own for a tasty and visually appealing snack.

Ceda

Ceda bananas are a popular variety of bananas known for their unique taste and texture. These bananas are slightly shorter and plumper than regular bananas, with a creamy and sweet flavor.

They have a smooth, thin peel that is easy to peel off, making them convenient for eating on the go. Ceda bananas are also rich in potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, making them a healthy snack choice. Whether eaten alone, added to smoothies, or used in baking, ceda bananas are a delicious and nutritious fruit option.

Maqueño

Maqueño bananas, also known as Ecuadorian bananas, are a popular variety of bananas grown in Ecuador. They are known for their distinct sweet flavor and creamy texture. Maqueño bananas are highly nutritious, rich in potassium, vitamin C, and dietary fiber, making them a healthy snack option.

Photo of a stack of single, yellow bananas in front of a sign that reads "Maqueño"
Maqueño Bananas

They have a bright yellow color when ripe and can be easily recognized by their elongated shape. Maqueño bananas are often used in baking, smoothies, and as a topping for desserts. With their delicious taste and numerous health benefits, Maqueño bananas are enjoyed by people all over the world.

Apple

Apple bananas, also known as Thai bananas or Manzana bananas, are a type of Latundan banana. These small, chubby bananas have a distinctive apple-like flavor and a slightly tangy taste, making them a favorite among fruit enthusiasts.

Photo of a bunch of small yellow banans. One of them has begun to split, revealing the white fleshy inside.
Latundan (Apple) Bananas

With their firm texture and sweet, fragrant flesh, apple bananas are not only delicious on their own but also perfect for baking or adding to smoothies. Their versatility and refreshing taste make them a fantastic choice for those looking to explore different varieties of bananas.

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Internet access 3.0

A brief recap

As we didn’t publish here about what the “2.0” was, let’s start with a quick recap. The first main upgrade was getting a second provider (load balanced with the other). Although this proved useful, in a few occasions, we were still, up to a few times per month, without internet when the two providers were down at the same time (mostly because of power outage).

Two months ago Starlink notified us that they had started serving Ecuador and they were ready to ship the hardware.

Now

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Our current setup of the “dish”

We disconnected the initial provider to replace it with Starlink (and give it a higher weight on the load balance).

We commonly get speeds of 100 to 160 Mbps for download and 15 to 25 Mbps for upload. It seems on weekend the download speed goes down to around 50 Mbps.

The latency (ping) is mostly in the thirties but varies quite a lot between 20 ms and (temporary) peaks at 190 ms.

The upload is a bit disappointing as it’s between barely better to a little lower than before.

We’ve had the Starlink only about a week ago so we’ll see how those evolve.

A big benefit for us is that we can stay online (as long as our small solar system permit) which is important for the ones of us who have an online job (or other appointments).

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Internet access

We now have internet access at the main property. No trip to town or stay at the Tambo property needed just for that reason anymore.

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Website update in progress

This brief post to let you know that we are working on updating the website content. We want to make clearer what Terra Frutis is about, diet, lifestyle,…

Let us know with a comment what is unclear, missing,… so we can fix or add that.