Plantain: Centuries of Delight

History and Heritage of Plantain in Nigeria

Indulgent sustenance. Nutritious delight.

It is said that plantains (Musa paradisiaca) originated from SouthEast Asia, but we also know that, as far back as the 13th century, Ogoni traders cultivated and traded them along the Delta*. Plantains may sometimes look like bananas, but they’re not to be confused with them. They are not just larger, they are more starchy—of course, that’s where it’s caramelised sweetness comes from once fried.

When it comes to versatility, plantains are it! They grow green, and ripen yellow, slowly blackening when overripe. Still, in any state of ripeness, plantains make delicious meals from chips to dodo to mosa! You can eat them as a snack, a main dish, or as a side dish with a number of meals. It’s no wonder plantain is loved and eaten beyond Nigeria—from West Africa to the Caribbeans, and from Asia to South and Central America.

Nigeria and Plantains

Gizdodo, small chops, jollof and plantain are just a few of the much celebrated dishes that feature plantain in Nigeria.
Whether plantain bunches are being carried as a gift to family or plantain cubes and slices are being feasted on, Nigerian literature—from Soyinka to Achebe to Adichie—features this staple food. Plantain is as at home at a feast described by Achebe, as it is at a family meal painted by Adichie. It is as embraced for sustenance as it is for indulgence.

Sympli Plantain Perfection

As long as the conditions are right, plantains will flower in any season*. At Sympli, we’re all about planting, nurturing, and harvesting in the right conditions. Years of agronomical research and development led us to the best seeds, soil conditions, and care that ensure our plantains are just the right sweetness and texture for you.

We know how you like it—fried to caramel goodness, and that’s why we’ve fresh frozen Sympli Plantain Chops at just the right maturity to give you that sweet, savoury deliciousness. Whether you like it with rice, beans, eggs, noodles or dozens of other ways, our Plantain Chops will deliver enjoyment at every meal.

References

Achebe, C. (1988). Anthills of the Savannah. Heinemann.
Adichie, C. (2003). Purple Hibiscus. Algonquin
Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Plantain. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 6, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/plant/plantain
Ogoni. Encyclopedia of World Cultures Supplement. (n.d.). Retrieved April 8, 2022, from https://www.encyclopedia.com/humanities/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/ogoni
Soyinka, W. (2021). Chronicles from the Land of the Happiest People on Earth. Knopf Doubleday.
Simmonds, N. W. (1966). ‘Bananas’. Tropical Agriculture Series, (2), 512.