flour.
Plantain is a highly perishable fruit because it has a very short shelf life. Thus, it is usually processed into durable products like chips and flour (Akalumhe, 1999. (1999).
What is the industrial use of plantain?
Plantain can be eaten raw when ripe, processed into flour to make ‘elubo’, a local meal consumed in Nigeria with soup, and also serves as industrial raw material in firms producing sanitary pads, fabrics and also for the food and beverage industry for making baby foods, biscuits, bread and cakes.
How do you process a plantain into flour?
Slicing: A mechanical slicer will be used to slice the pulp. Drying: In this process, the sliced plantain will be dried in a dryer in the required moisture content. Milling: A hammer mill will be used to mill the dried sliced plantain. Sieving: Here, the flour is sieved to obtain the desired particle size.
How do you process unripe plantain flour?
Plantain Flour
- Peel green plantains and slice them into 1/4-inch thick discs.
- Lay them out on dehydrator trays with some air space between them.
- Dry at 135°F for 8-16 hours, until very dry and crunchy.
- Once chips are dry, take out of dryer/oven and let them cool completely before grinding.
How lucrative is plantain flour in Nigeria?
Plantain flour business is highly profitable and can be done anywhere in Nigeria. The demand for it is increasing by the day because of its health benefits. Plantain contains fibre which is good for the body. Plantain is available all year round in large quantities.
What products can be made from plantain?
When the pulp of unripe plantain is sliced, dried and milled, the end-product is flour. This flour, apart from being eaten as gruel (‘elubo’) can be put to high commercial value in making the following products. They are Biscuits, Cakes, Bread, Pan Cakes, Pudding, Puff-puff etc.
Is plantain a cash crops?
Plantain is an important food and cash crop (Nkendah&Akyeampong, 2003; Nwosu&Lawal, 2010) with outstanding and proven medical and industrial relevance (Faturoti, Madukwe, Tenkouano&Agwu, 2007).
How do you process plantain into chips?
- Peel the plantains.
- Slice the plantains into chips using a mandoline slicer, the slicing side of a box grater or just cut thinly with a knife.
- In a small bowl, mix a quarter cup of water and the salt.
- Place oil in a deep pan up to 4 inches high.
- Once the chips are cold, enjoy!
How long does plantain flour last?
Conclusion and Significance. Thus, plantain flours can be stored for more than 6 months without spoilage. The usefulness of plantain flour could be enhanced by manipulating drying techniques and pretreatments to give desired quality attributes.
How do you make banana flour?
Banana flour is generally produced with green bananas that are peeled, chopped, dried, and then ground. This process can be completed traditionally by hand, where the bananas are sun dried, dried in an oven, or a residential food dryer, and then either ground in a mortar and pestle or with a mechanical grinder.
What can unripe plantain flour be used for?
Products from Unripe Plantain Flour Help Lowering Cholesterol and Controlling Blood Sugar. Unripe plantain is a natural source of resistant starch that helps to reduce blood glucose levels, so it is considered an excellent ingredient for food fortification.
What does unripe plantain does to the body?
Unripe plantains are incredibly healthy and versatile. Adding them to your diet could help lower cholesterol, prevent anemia, and help treat stomach ulcers. Plantains are also great in pregnancy, diabetes, and as weaning food for babies.
Is plantain farming a profitable business?
In conclusion, plantain farming business is very lucrative and the capital to start a plantain farming is relatively low. The real wealth in plantain farming comes when you can supply plantain during off seasons when the demand for plantain is higher than the supply.
How lucrative is banana farming in Nigeria?
As a banana farmer you can be making five hundred thousand naira (N500,000) or more on a monthly basis just from your banana and plantain plantation if you place it in a commercial standard level.
What can I do with my ripe plantain?
Over ripe plantains can be used to make other delicious dishes that will make you look at it in a new light. If you love banana muffins or banana bread, the bananas could be swapped for overripe plantain and the result is a yummy treat that will be loved by all. In a bowl, mash the ripe Plantain with a potato masher.
What is plantain production?
The crop grows best in moisture-rich tropical climates. The flowers develop into a bunch of plantain, which holds about five to 15 strands of the fruits. Plantains do not have a growing season and are, therefore, available year-round, especially on irrigated farmland. This makes them a reliable food source.
What are plantains good for?
Plantains are a carb-rich food and a good source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. They also contain antioxidants that fight free radicals. With good levels of vitamin C, they can also support immune function. Likewise, their vitamin B6 content may reduce cardiovascular risk and improve mood.
Which country is the largest producer of plantain in the world?
Cameroon
Cameroon. Cameroon is the world’s largest producer of plantains. The country exports approximately 4.31 million tons of plantains yearly. They are largely produced in the southern and western part of Cameroon.
Which country is the highest producer of plantain in West Africa?
Ghana
Plantain Production in West Africa
It is evident from the Figure 1 that Ghana is the largest producer of plantain in West Africa with about 3.95 million metric tons in 2016 contributing about 13.1% to the agricultural Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Which country has the best plantain?
Cameroon is leading the plantain production with 4.3 million tons, followed by Ghana (just under 4 million tons), Uganda (3.7 mio tons), Colombia (3.5 mio.
Why is my plantain chips not crunchy?
Make sure your oil is at the right temperature
If your oil is not hot enough, the plantain chips will be too limp or they become chewy and hard; if your oil is too hot, the plantain simply burns fast.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.