Banana blossom is the flower that grows at the bottom of banana bunches. It is purple, fleshy and can be eaten cooked or raw. Traditionally cooked in South East Asian cuisine, it is added to soups, curries and salads. Athough it grows from bananas, it does not taste like bananas; instead it’s flavour is quite mild and more similar to artichokes.

Banana blossom has a tender and meaty texture that can resemble meat, making it a great plant-based alternative to substitute in our favourite dishes. It is also significant because it can be used to recreate the texture of fish, which is notoriously hard to replicate with plants. It also has a mild flavour and so it can hold seasoning well to taste like fish and meat when cooked right. It is also becoming increasingly available in supermarkets and grocery shops; if you want to cook with it, look out for tins of banana blossom in brine in your local supermarket or international shop.