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National Banana Day

Food · The third Wednesday in April

A food day for the banana, the curved yellow fruit that ripens on the counter, travels in its own wrapper and turns up in breakfasts and desserts.

National Banana Day falls on Wednesday, April 21, 2027. That is 176 days away.

The banana comes ready to go. It has its own wrapper, it peels without a knife, and it fits in a coat pocket. This food day gives it a turn in the spotlight on the third Wednesday in April.

Bananas grow in hanging bunches on large tropical plants that look like trees but are actually giant herbs. The fruit is usually picked green and ripens after harvest, which is why a bunch at the store can go from firm and starchy to soft and sweet in a few days on the kitchen counter. Brown speckles mean the starch has turned to sugar. Some people wait for that stage, and some people consider it a lost cause.

Those spotted bananas are the ones bakers want. They mash easily and bring sweetness and moisture to banana bread, muffins and pancakes. Firmer bananas are better sliced over cereal or oatmeal, split for a sundae, or frozen in coins and blended into something cold and thick.

Marking the day is simple. Many people eat one plain, try a recipe they have been meaning to make, or set out a few ripeness stages side by side to see which they actually prefer. A bunch kept apart from other fruit tends to ripen at its own pace, and a ripe banana can go into the freezer whole, peel and all, though the peel turns dark brown in the cold.

Ways to celebrate

• Bake a loaf of banana bread with the spottiest bananas you have.
• Freeze banana slices and blend them into a cold, creamy treat.
• Try a banana at three ripeness stages and pick a favorite.
• Top your morning cereal or oatmeal with fresh banana slices.
• Share a banana split with someone at home.

Dates

All national days on April 21

Also on April 21

• National Bulldogs Are Beautiful Day
• National Chickpea Day
• National Chocolate-Covered Cashews Day
• Administrative Professionals Day
• Big Word Day
• National Kindergarten Day
• San Jacinto Day

Categories: Food days