Culinary Plantain

Also Known As: Cooking Banana, Culinary Plantain, Bhimkol Indian Names: Monthan,

Bontha, Kanchakeli International Classification: ABB Group

About This Variety

Monthan is India's most versatile culinary banana-used from the fruit to the stem, the flower to the leaf. It is a large, stout variety with thick green skin, angular ridges, and an almost entirely starch-based fruit composition that makes it unsuitable for eating raw but extraordinary as a cooking ingredient.

In Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, Monthan is a kitchen staple. It appears as the primary ingredient in curries, kootu (vegetable stews), stir-fries, bajji (battered fritters), steamed preparations, and as an accompaniment to rice meals. Beyond the fruit, the Monthan pseudostem-the thick, cylindrical stem-has a long tradition of use in Ayurvedic and Siddha medicine for kidney and urinary health.

Monthan is an excellent export opportunity for buyers supplying South Asian, Sri Lankan, and East African diaspora communities, as well as growing culinary markets in Europe and North America where interest in authentic South Asian cooking ingredients is expanding.

Flavour & Texture Profile

The raw fruit is completely starch-dominant-dense, floury, and unsweetened. When cooked, it develops a subtle earthiness that absorbs spices and aromatics exceptionally well, becoming the textural backbone of savoury preparations. It does not sweeten significantly with ripeness, remaining primarily starchy even when fully yellow. Cooked texture is firm and slightly chewy-it holds its shape under heat without breaking down, making it ideal for curries and stews.

Nutritional Profile (per 100g, raw unripe)

Health Benefits

Outstanding Gut Health Food – Raw Monthan contains 5.4g of resistant starch per 100g-the highest level among all nine varieties listed here. Resistant starch bypasses digestion in the small intestine and ferments in the large intestine, selectively feeding Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus species-the two most clinically validated beneficial gut bacterial strains. This makes raw or green Monthan one of the most powerful dietary prebiotic foods available from whole fruit sources.

Kidney & Urinary Tract Support – The pseudostem (inner core of the banana plant's trunk) of Monthan has been used in Siddha and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as a treatment for kidney stones and urinary tract infections. The pseudostem contains high levels of dietary fibre and natural diuretic compounds that support urinary flow, help flush the kidneys, and are believed to reduce the formation of calcium oxalate crystals-the most common type of kidney stone. This is Monthan's most distinctive and well-documented traditional health application.

Blood Sugar Regulation – The high resistant starch content means Monthan has a significantly lower glycaemic index than sweet banana varieties. It does not cause rapid blood sugar spikes, making it a practically appropriate carbohydrate source for individuals managing blood glucose levels.

High Potassium – Cardiovascular Support – At 499mg of Potassium per 100g, Monthan delivers among the highest potassium levels of all varieties on this list. This contributes meaningfully to healthy blood pressure, cardiac rhythm, and muscle function.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties – Traditional use of Monthan's flower (banana blossom) in South Indian medicine as an anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic food is supported by preliminary phytochemical research identifying flavonoids and tannins in the blossom with biological activity.

Ideal For

Ethnic grocery importers (South Asian, East African, and Sri Lankan diaspora communities), South Asian foodservice distributors, health food retailers (for resistant starch and gut health positioning), and culinary importers serving restaurants and catering businesses specialising in South and Southeast Asian cuisine.

Shelf Life: 21–30 days post-harvest when harvested unripe and stored at 13–15°C. Similar to Nendran, the high resistant starch content and dense flesh significantly extend shelf life. Excellent suitability for long-haul shipping.

Nutrient

Amount

Resistant Starch

Dietary Fibre

29g

Calories

Vitamin B6

3.2 g

116 kcal

Carbohydrates

5.4g

14.8mg

Vitamin C

iron

0.30 mg

0.8 mg