Thai banana
Etymology
Thai banana (or 'pisang awak') is also known in
Australia as 'Ducasse'
and 'Kayinja' in
Uganda.
The Malaysian name "
pisang awak" is more commonly used among research institutions.
In
Thailand, it is known as
kluai nam wa (กล้วยน้ำว้า, ).
The term
nam wa has crossed over into the
Khmer language where Thai banana is known in Cambodia as
chek nam va (ចេកណាំវ៉ា),
but is known in the Khmer-speaking Thai province of Surin as
chek sâ (ចេកស) or white banana.
[Teel, Stephen, Northern Khmer-Thai-English Dictionary, typescript, Surin, July 1988, Vol. I (ก-บ), p. 172.] This banana variety has multiple romanizations including 'Namwah Tall' (with a superfluous 'h'). In
Vietnam, it is called as chuối sứ or chuối xiêm ("Siamese banana", means 'Thailand banana'). In
Philippines, it is commonly called
lagkitan in the
Southern Tagalog region or
botolan in the
Palawan region.
As a stout mutation, 'Dwarf Pisang Awak' is known in United States as Musa 'Dwarf Namwah' as popularized by Agri-Starts Inc;
Description
Thai banana plant grows up to in height.
It is known to produce
seed with the availability of
Fertility pollen.
Taxonomy
Thai banana is originated from Thailand,
a cross between
Musa acuminata and
Musa balbisiana. Most sources affirm that Thai banana belongs to the triploid ABB genome group.
But there is source still thought that this cultivar belongs to the tetraploid AABB genome group?
Its official designation is
Musa (
ABB Group)
'Pisang Awak'.
Synonyms include:
Musa paradisiaca var.
awak.
Uses
In
Uganda, 'Thai banana' also known as 'pisang awak' (known locally as
kayinja) is grown for making
banana beer.
In Cambodia, 'Thai banana' as well as 'pisang awak' (known locally as chek nam va) is favored over varieties for its multiple uses while other varieties are valued for the fruit.
In Vietnam, Thai bananas are eaten both when ripe, raw and when the fruit is still green. In the Mekong Delta, almost all parts of the Thai banana tree are used by people to serve their daily lives. "Grilled sticky bananas" is prepared from Thai banana, is one of 9 dishes mentioned by CNN in list of "The World's Best Desserts".
See also
