Banana bread, as the name suggests is made up of bananas. This type of bread is usually sweet in taste and often used as dessert or tea-time cake. The exact origins of the bread are unknown but it became popular in America during the early 20th century.
In the 1930s, baking soda and baking powder became quite common and so Banana Bread became quite popular as both baking soda and baking powder were needed to bake the bread.
The first recipe for the bread was published in Pillsbury’s 1933 Balanced Recipes Cookbook and later after appearing in the Chiquita Banana’s Recipe Book in 1950 the bread became even more popular.
Another reason for the widespread popularity of the bread was due to the Great Depression. During the Great Depression, women would use overripe bananas to make banana bread instead of just throwing them away. Bananas were expensive back then, and households couldn’t afford to waste them away.
Banana bread is a quick bread and doesn’t use yeast. Instead, it’s leavened with baking powder.
Banana bread might also be good for cardiovascular health as it contains bananas which are rich in potassium. Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure. However, there’s no decisive study to prove how effective banana bread is in reducing blood pressure.
Bananas are a quick energy source because they are rich in carbohydrates. As bananas are the main ingredient in Banana bread, one can assume that the bread is a gold source of energy.
Banana bread is made using ripe bananas, flour, baking soda and baking powder. Other ingredients are also added depending on the recipe e.g eggs, butter e.t.c. There are many recipes for Banana bread. All the ingredients are mixed together and then the bread is baked in an oven.
The bread comes in different variations. Some breads have nuts in them, other breads may have raisins, chocolate chips, cinnamon, blue berries or raspberries in them.