Red bananas at a lower degree of ripeness (they ripen in 2-3 days)

If the bananas are very fresh and firm, let them ripen for a few more days at room temperature.

Red bananas are a group of banana varieties with reddish-purple skin. Some are smaller and plumper than the common Cavendish banana, others much larger. When ripe, raw red bananas have a pulp that is cream to light pink in colour. They are also softer and sweeter than yellow Cavendish varieties, some with a slight raspberry flavour, and others with an earthy one.

Red bananas should have a red or brown peel when ripe and are best eaten when unbruised and slightly soft. This variety contains more beta-carotene and vitamin C than yellow bananas. It also contains potassium and iron. The redder the fruit, the more carotene and higher the vitamin C level. As with yellow bananas, red bananas will ripen in a few days at room temperature and are best stored outside the refrigerator. Compared to the most common banana, the Cavendish banana, they tend to be smaller, have a slightly thicker skin, with a sweeter taste, but have a longer shelf life than yellow bananas.

Red bananas are consumed in the same way as yellow bananas, by peeling the fruit before eating it. They are frequently eaten raw, whole or chopped and added to desserts and fruit salads, but can also be baked or fried.