A banana is a long, edible fruit that is produced by several species of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa. Bananas used for cooking may be referred to as "plantains" in some countries to distinguish them from dessert bananas. The size, color, and firmness of the fruit vary, but it is usually elongated and curved, with soft flesh rich in starch covered by a rind that can be green, yellow, red, purple, or brown when ripe. The fruits grow in clusters near the plant's crown.

Bananas are a delicious, versatile, and reasonably priced fruit. They're high in nutrients and may help with weight loss, digestion, and heart health.