The Canary Islands, an archipelago located off of the coast of Northern Africa, are a fascinating place. Did you know that the Canaries (along with the closeby island of Madeira, belonging to Portugal) are the only place where bananas grow in Europe?
Spanish explorers, who were introduced to the banana in Southeast Asia during the 15th and 16th centuries brought the banana plant to the islands due to their ideal climate for the cultivation of the fruit.
Cavendish bananas are the most commonly cultivated banana varietal on the islands.
Canary bananas are cultivated on five of the seven islands in the archipelago, including Tenerife, La Palma, Gran Canaria, El Hierro, and La Gomera. Tenerife and La Palma, whose fertile volcanic soil and optimal temperatures allow for the massive production of the crop, are the two major producers of Canarian bananas.
These fruits are very popular in Europe due to the small distance traveled to export them. This means that they are fresher, sweeter, and contain more vitamins and minerals than those that are imported from elsewhere.
Have you tried a delicious Canary banana yet? If not, seek one out and be amazed at just how delicious these little yellow beauties are.
