Imagine ordering a banana and being handed something almost the size of your forearm. That is the Hua Moa, a giant variety that originated on the islands of Polynesia, traveled through Hawaii and Tahiti, and ended up taking root in South Florida, where the Cuban community dubbed it “the Hawaiian”.
It is not just its size that draws attention. It can weigh up to 2 kilos and grows on plants up to 6 meters tall. It is fried, boiled, or roasted when green, and when ripe it becomes sweet and creamy.
The problem is that this giant is running out of space in the world. Diseases and hurricanes battered its production for years, to the point that it is now considered a variety at risk. Would you dare to try it?
