The Science of Bananas (And Our Ultimate Six-Banana Banana Bread) | What's Eating Dan? 

I'm a heavily speckled 7! Can't wait to learn your preferences.

The production value of Dan’s videos is so high. I hope others notice. Funny, adorable, and informative. His videos have it all. Much respect. I’m a 6 yellow, and I can’t wait to grill my next slice. What a novel idea.

I love bananas of every ripeness! As a cyclist they are my favorite source of carb/sugars. Yellow with a bit of green holds up best in a pocket, but the ease of digestion and increased sugars cannot be ignored in a heavily speckled. I use a lot of overripe for baking energy bars, blended with dates and oats. I always have 2-3 bunches on my counter, in a rainbow of ripeness. :)

Yellow with a hint of green is the perfect banana for me, I'll go to yellow in a pinch. After that, they're only good for baking. I always have a zip lock bag of frozen bananas in the freezer for emergencies 😋 The recipe looks delicious, especially intriguing is the concentrated juice (which one always gets with frozen bananas)!

All I can say is this is awesome. What's Eating Dan? is by far my favorite ATK series! I love learning new things about food. Thanks Dan!

I'm a yellow-green to yellow guy and strong 9. I MIGHT go green-yellow, but NEVER speckled, so those are destined for the bread. As a cool sidebar: you can freeze your overripes for storage for breadmaking... And once thawed, they come out just like the ones you mentioned in the bread recipe!

I’m a slightly green banana lover. It’s firm and will hold up to peanut butter better. But I will eat a heavily speckled banana too. I’ll have to try one with cheese. Sounds intriguing!

I'm so pleased to see so many fellow yellow/green banana lovers! My husband loves lightly to highly speckled and thinks I'm crazy. I just can't stomach the sweetness or mushy texture of a fully ripe banana. Yellow/green and 9/10 all the way!!!

I'd say that I'm a yellow/green 4, though the more brown, the less into it I am, at least eaten in the hand. For something like muffins or bread, yeah, gimme those brown bananas, maybe toss in a green one for a hint of that tartness. As for peaches, I actually prefer mine slightly under-ripe, with a little bit of bite, and more of that tartness left.

Bananas are my favorite fruit! I eat them every day! I’m a “between lightly and heavily speckled 6”. But I also eat them frozen all the time as well. They go with everything good: peanut butter, honey, chocolate, ice cream!

A touch of green as bananas lose their starch as they ripen, and the fructose increases as you told us. This starch is primarily resistant starch and high in fiber. You can also eat a green banana peel, creating all types of savory dishes, like pulled-non-chicken sandwiches 🥪 😋 or green banana biomass, which adds moisture and a wonderful texture when added to the batter of baked goods. Check it out, you'll be glad you did.

I did the same thing when I saw that Mr Rogers episode! I loved the banana and cheese together, and my mom thought I was nuts. Definitely try it... it's delicious! I prefer straight yellow, but will eat bananas from slightly green to heavily speckled. I love using the dark brown ones in smoothies, ice cream and baked goods.

When mine start to ripen past the yellow phase.......peeled, halved, and into the freezer❄️ they go for a smoothie or a dip in some melted dark chocolate in the not-so-distant future. 9 firm on the eating another color. 🍌 if any, it would be toward green. Black to speckled is for bread 🍞 🙋🏻‍♀️. I like my chocolate dark, not my bananas. Varieties other than Cavendish? Bring it on! I’ve tried before. In the tropics. And my curiosity was very piqued when you mentioned a variety that tastes like vanilla! Sounds like some good frozen bananas to me. And banana ice cream. And of course just regular eating. We have so many good things to eat. What a blessing. FUN FACT: Over 7,500 varieties of apples in the world, too. 🍎 🍏

Yellow. Preferred... 1 step green or 1 step Brown is also fine. Very Firm on no further, they either wait or get frozen at any other stage. I have used this version of ATK banana bread & it tastes great.

Yellow about a 6 I think. I'm willing to eat up to a heavily speckled or a yellow with a bit of green, but if I can I do prefer lightly speckled/yellow for flavor-firmness balance. No way would I eat a mostly/all green banana though. Or black. Even heavily speckled is sometimes a little too mushy really.

You had me at Mr.Rogers 🥰 He was a decorated army vet.and he had quite a few tattoos 🤣really ☺️a man of God as well and an exemplary role model for a tremendous number of us 💜☮️ BTW,Dan, you're doing pretty well too😏

Yes! I've been telling people about Mr. Rogers' cheese/banana hack my entire life and most people either don't believe that I saw it on his show or just think it's gross; it's actually the perfect snack.

I’m a yellow 7. I will eat very lite speckled if pushed. It’s the mouth feel of the eat. I prefer a bit of resistance instead of mush.

Ah, Bananas! The cornerstone of every Bengali Household and or Tiffin Box. It’s basically a family member at this point.

I’m a 2. The only banana I won’t eat is a green one! I prefer slightly speckled yellow on the way to work, green with yellow or yellow with green on my long runs, dark speckled on my toast, black in oatmeal. They each serve a purpose. Great video, Dan! Can’t wait to hear the results of the poll!

Lightly speckled is my fave. I can go from a little green to heavily speckled. Greener than just a touch green and really mushy and dark, often with some fermentation going on, are no goes for me as out-of-hand fruit.

Long time listener, first time caller; I love your content Dan! I wish I could subscribe to just select ATK presenters (read: What's Eating Dan?)... I'm a big fan of this discussion about favorite banana ripeness. We definitely talk about this in my family but I didn't realize it was hotly debated. I'm a 9 "yellow with a trace of green" so I'd also eat "green with a trace of yellow" or yellow but that's it. The biggest issue for me once the speckling starts is the smell/taste of all that extra sugar. BUT if I miss my window, then I'll let them get to heavily speckled and freeze for banana bread.

I'm a pure yellow 5! But it varies with banana type. Cavendish is yellow with a bit of green to yellow. Gros Michel is heavily speckled 😍

I’m a lightly speckled like 4. I’ll eat anything from yellow with slight green to light brown. In diff preservations of course! My wife from Brazil (normally have Manzano’s there, SO GOOD!) tho is a like yellow with slight green 8.

Dan, I’m a highly speckled 7 also. My husband will eat them closer to green but not me. I’ve got to try that banana bread recipe. Sounds wonderful. Thanks for all the great information you provide.

Dan is always very informative and entertaining! Keep up the great work!

Yellow 8 here. Speckled bananas up to brown/black are happily put in smoothies and for baking.

I’m lightly speckled. I’ve made this recipe so many times. It’s my go to.

I used to be a mostly yellow with a little green 7, but I've converted to a little l lightly speckled 5 or 6. Bananas are great!

Lightly speckled 10 for fresh eating, brown/black 8 for blending into smoothies, which is my main way of eating them.

Can we have more bread recipes from Dan? The rustic baguette, Croissant, some classics.

I’m a light Spackled 5, but I can go down as far as yellow with a little green (as long as it’s in my morning parfaits).

Yellow/Green for eating and heavy speckled to freeze for smoothies.

That is my go to banana bread recipe. It's my family's Sunday Funday treat to start the day. Puts everyone in a good mood.

I'm a yellow 8. I could go up or down one spot. I won't go greener than yellow with a bit of green without cooking and more than that gets saved for smoothies/banana bread.

I'll enjoy everything between a green-yellow to lightly speckled (I'm a 10 in that zone); any riper and they get peeled and put into the freezer for use later.

Lightly speckled 5. Very much grateful for the lesson Dan!

Dratz! I wish someone posted the recipe. I so appreciate when someone does that. Now I have to go to the internet. 🍌

I’m a lightly or heavily speckled 8. I can’t stand green bananas. But I like to slice and freeze very ripe bananas to make banana “ice cream”. Yum!

I'm a yellow with a hint of green 7. I'll also eat straight up yellow, but would only eat a speckled banana in extreme desperation! That banana bread looks so good!!

People thought I was crazy when I used to do the cheese banana, and I learned it from the same episode of Mr. Roger's! Childhood snack vindicated.

definitely a lightly speckled 5. I have and quite often will eat a banana that is heavily speckled and even just yellow because i’m the main banana eater in my home

I prefer lightly speckled but can enjoy anything from slightly green to heavily speckled and anything in between so I guess I’m like a 5. I hold onto the stem end and pinch off the blossom end, not that you asked.

I'm a solid yellow 9 kind of gal. It's sweet enough and has the perfect texture. Once it starts developing speckles, the texture makes me gag. At that point, I slice them into half-inch rounds, put them into baggies, and toss them into the freezer for smoothies. They provide such a creamy richness to any smoothy!

Speckled 6. Love to cook them in with oatmeal or mix them in smoothies.

I’m a bright yellow with a hint of green! I’ll give myself a 7. Once it gets heavily speckled, I’m done. I will leave them be for a few more days and wait till it’s “rotten” banana bread time! That banana bread recipe sounds awesome!

I bake a lot. I let them get really black on the counter, and then just toss them whole into my freezer (no bag, just toss them in there). Then when I'm ready I defrost them and puree. • In the fall and winter I like to ripen and prep them. I take the blackened bananas out of the peels and puree them, then portion and vacuum seal so they're ready to go. It eliminates me having lots of gnats in the summertime, waiting around for bananas to ripen. (those gnats love bananas). • MYTH: putting bananas into the oven ripens them faster. This is just not true. It only oxidizes the peel. Bananas need time for the starches to turn to sugars, and the only real way of doing this is time on the counter. And the more black they are, the sweeter and more flavorful for banana bread. I even make ice cream out of them!

Yellow with a hint of green 7. I will rarely go to lightly speckled so I start waiting for the to be banana bread ready.

yellow with a trace of green and a 4. If it's not available I will always choose a green with a trace of yellow over the more ripe ones. Lightly speckled and up are for cooking with in my kitchen.

Green yellow 7, but I can go to lightly speckled if I'm hungry. The strings are icky. I've got 3 black nanners in the freezer waiting to go into banana bread. I really enjoy these videos. 🤪

Medium speckled 9. A little light or a little dark but not bruised! I’ll be your friend Dan!

Lightly speckled banana lover here...!!!

heavy speckled, 4-6 for banana bread they need to be beyond speckled, and for use in other meals (pb and banana sandwich, cut into cereal etc) they need to be barely speckled, if not still slightly green. interesting question

When I buy them I like them green with some yellow so they last for a few days without getting overripe. But for eating I like them yellow with a touch of green. I would say my preference is an 8 though I would go to a 7 as I will eat them speckled or yellow. But never black. I do like them especially for the potassium I notice is missing if I am out of them . But they are also my go to if I am hungry at night or cannot sleep . But mostly they are my only breakfast food (well sometimes with an orange! ) I tend not to like banana bread because it is too dry. I would like to try your recipe but I would add walnuts and make a crumble to go over the bananas on top (brown sugar, butter and a little flour ). I don't like ice cream made with bananas instead of milk or cream and sugar! And no strings please . But my absolute favorite way to eat them as dessert is bananas foster - well without the flambee - but warmed slightly covered with light brown sugar in melted butter ! Oh yum! But your suggestion with cheese I will pass - and keep it either or ! Love your take on food and everything. Keep us educated and informed but in such good humor!

I lived in Albania where bananas were effectively banned by law. I tried my first banana when i was 8 years old. That smell and flavor I have never had again, because the next time I ate a banana it was totally different. It must have been another species or kind of banana. I would like to try other varieties of bananas that remind me of the types that were popular in the 80s or early 90s

Yellow, 4. Entirely happy to go to yellow-green or lightly speckled, will eat heavily speckled though usually not green-yellow, won't eat brown/black.

I'm about the same as Dan. I'd say mediumly-speckled 8? Heaviliy speckled is getting a little too ripe, where lightly speckled is a slightly too firm.

I'm a yellow, no speckles, 6. Loved the video!

yellow/green 8. will eat green/yellow, will eat yellow or lightly speckled if im pressed and need to throw something down quick but it is not for enjoyment purposes. i just like the texture of an under ripe banane. got a bit o bite to it.

Yellow 6 (I'll eat one degree on either end). I had no idea there were other preferences!

I like a medium-speckled #7 banana. Love banana bread!

Yellow with a light shade of green on the end. I’m not a huge banana 🍌 eater… my fav is banana & peanut butter sandwiches 🥪

7 freckled is perfect even when I make banana bread. Great video as always!

i'm a lightly speckled 6. sometimes i eat one with a bit of green specifically for the bitterness. not often though.

Well, I am Brazilian. We have at least 4 types of bananas in any supermarket! That’s kind of why I hate eating bananas when in the USA 😳 Yes, we are blessed in this bananas subject 🍌

Eating preference is yellow 7, I'll eat up to lightly speckled and down to yellow with some green. Smoothies and baking, I prefer a lightly to heavily speckled 9.

Please pay this dude how much ever it takes to keep him.

8 or 9 yellow. I put them in the fridge to keep them at that level as long as possible. The skins turn black but the inside is fine. Doesn’t stop ripening, but does slow it down. Downside is cold banana, but it is preferable to ripening too quickly. Yellow 4-eva! 🍌💛

All types anytime

Making this tomorrow! 🥚🥚🧂🧂🧈🧈🍌🍌

Props for the Brooklyn 99 reference!! ❤❤❤

Lightly speckled 6, baking if higher will go down to yellow with a touch of green if necessary.

Team yellow/green! 💛💛💚💛💛 About a level 6 dedication, will eat yellow and slightly speckled, and more ripe it goes into banana bread or muffins.

Super great vid Dan!....so enjoyed that...and what a recipe!..... that was the dogs bananas..

Lightly speckled 6 would go to a heavily speckled. Also yellow with green fried.

I'm a lightly speckled 9. I freeze them for shakes as soon as they get heavily speckled.

Heavily speckled 4. Bananas are an essential part of my diet, I eat them all the time. Don't judge too much, just need to eat

I prefer yellow or lightly speckled. I rate that preference a 7. However, I will eat a heavily speckled or freeze it for later use.

Yellow - 5 is good for eating, adding to cereal, a Banana split, Banana Pudding, or milkshake. Lightly speckled - 6 is good for eating, milkshakes, or adding to cereal and definitely for baking. Heavily speckled - 7 get out the recipes and baking sheets time to use up those bananas. I used to open it from the stem end, then I saw a National Geographic video where they commented about monkeys opening bananas from the flower end, so I tried it and haven't gone back. I do use a knife and cut off that piece of blossom before eating it. I throw out the strings because they don't chew up easily. I have eaten yellow-green #3 & #4 bananas but they are too tart for my taste so I wait until they ripen a little more before eating or baking.

Yellow w/ streaks of green 8. Just prefer the much less sweet and firmer texture opposed to a very ripe almost thick pudding consistency.

6 banana's bread!! Ok I will try that this week! ❤❤❤ Banana bread 😋

I will eat bananas from heavily speckled to yellow with a trace of green. Heavily speckled goes in the freezer for shakes and banana bread. My favorite banana is barely speckled. Completely dark goes in the compost.

Yellow/Green 9 - but I forget them so have lots for smoothies. Will try your recipe after some Covid-19 failures! I'll give it one more try - wish me luck!

For eating straight up: light/partial green, but willing to eat all yellow, no speckles. However, due to rapid ripening, I hardly ever get to eat bananas that way so I most often wait until they're black and then turn them into banana breads (which I ultimately ship to my nephews because it's their favorite). 🍌

I’m a pure yellow 5. I can fine going up or down 1 level of ripeness. Anything beyond that I end up cooking with.

Lightly speckled for eating, dark for baking. If it has green and doesn't peel easy, it's not ready. I live in a banana growing area of Australia. Panama TR4 is a problem here too.

Yellow 5. I like it when it's just lost the green and is firm but not too sweet but I'll eat any that aren't green or black.

I like banana which has just ripened, I like the firm texture and not overly sweet, I like super ripe banana for baking tho😁

Yellow 7, right skewed (yellow green - medium/heavily speckled)

H Dan Yellow with green, 7. Fun & interesting video, as always! Thanks & keep em coming!

I’m a pure yellow 8 and can go into yellow with a hint of green or very slightly speckled, and my wife is a lightly speckled 8 that can go into pure yellow.

Pure yellow or yellow with slight green - 6. If it gets speckled at all I'd like to just let it go all the way and make banana bread (but my family prefer speckled, so they disappear before I can make banana bread)

Hey Dan~ My fave bananas are yellow w/ green, preference 8: I like the texture with milk & cereal or to add to a bowl of sectioned oranges & grapefruit with their delish juices. Yet, preference 10 for heavily speckled to be used in banana bread! :) Love the video and your humor, as I have VERY RIPE black/brown bananas in the fridge & heavily speckled ones, waiting for me to make banana bread. Thank you for the recipe, as well. I love my King Arthur flour cookbook banana bread recipe, but this one looks amazing!

Yelloq with some Green 5. I love bananas so I eat them all the way from Yellow/Green to Heavily Speckled.

I prefer speckled to heavily speckled, but I will eat yellow in a pinch. I have to try the banana and America Cheese combo. It sounds like one of those things that would be either really great or really gross.

I’m a yellow 8. Thanks for the banana facts. Can’t wait to try the recipe! :)

That dance...thank you 😄

I’m a 10 slightly green. It’s a texture thing, which is why I don’t eat bananas very often.

I am a 6-7. I am sad when the store only has mostly green sitting out to sell because the wait to get it to a 6 or 7 takes most of the week. Then I need to eat 6 in just a couple of days. I need to watch my fruit intake. I don't care for the strings, so if they are hanging I will pitch them. A friend who makes the bread will stick the bananas in the freezer and it turns the skins black fast. A place called Fresh Thyme has cavendish and other types.

Solid yellow 6. I can go up to a lighty speckled