Many cookbooks and chefs recommend cooking green plantains before eating them. Is it just because of all the starch? Or are there any toxins as in sprouting potatoes? Does the ratio of amylose to amylopectin have anything to do with the recommendation?
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3Have you ever *eaten* a raw green plantain? YUCK! – Jolenealaska Nov 02 '13 at 19:51
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7Cookbooks and chefs would probably recommend cooking potatoes before eating too. – Cascabel Nov 03 '13 at 05:14
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In my experience, both amylase and amylopectin taste bad when uncooked. It is probably more the ratio of sugar to starch which is important here. (Starches turn to sugar while ripening). – rumtscho Nov 04 '13 at 11:57
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I stumbled on this page while looking for solution to stomach upset after eating a meal of unripe plantain. I now suspect that it was not well cooked. I had indigestion all night. Thsnks for your response. – Sammy Nov 23 '16 at 11:07
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According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN) "Banana and plantain do not contain significant levels of any toxic principles." Raw, unripe plantains can be difficult to digest, especially if eaten in large quantities. Doing so can lead to upset stomach. This may be due to the fact that they contain starches resistant (RS2) to digestive enzymes, compounds that inhibit salivary amylase production, and significant quantities of amylose.
Raw, unripe plantains and bananas also have a starchy or waxy texture and a bitter flavor which can be unpalatable.
Didgeridrew
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If you eat a brown very ripe Plantain, they taste just like a banana. Any plantain that is green or yellow, will taste better peeled and cooked.Be sure to use a peeler for this as it is almost impossible to take the skin off of an unripe plantain.
