The Versatile Banana Leaf - Nature's Packaging


I attended the University of Hawaii and lived on an organic farm in Waimanalo. This was decades ago but I never lost my fascination with banana plants ( there are many varieties!) and their multiple uses.


Banana trees make great windbreaks.
 
Banana leaves are a wonderful, versatile way to carry and serve food....Here are some great ideas:
 


Stir fry lunch, wrapped in a banana leaf tied with bamboo, with chopsticks cut from lotus or something like that..... It unfolds into its own little bowl.

The person who took this photo writes:
 
"Cheap, readily available, secure, waterproof, light, strong, beautiful to hold and look at and it'll biodegrade with the rest of the forest. Brilliant."
 
 
 
The banana leaf is highly flexible. The shiny and natural waxy surface of the banana leaf is ideal for any wet and greasy food.
 
 
 
 McDonalds - are you paying attention?
 
 
The leaf packaging will keep you clean. Design - Tal Marco.
 

Of course many cultures have used the banana leaf for generations...but let us take it into the 21st century and use the leaves instead of styrofoam.  It is a no brainer for certain uses....
 
 

The trees are good for windbreaks and erosion control, the leaves for packaging and bowls, the fruit for food and even for fuel.







 
Banana Leaf Packaging - a new industry waiting to be born.

Comments

  1. Web Design MelbourneNovember 29, 2012 at 6:28 AM

    This is some awosome IDEA! Wow Where do you come up with this stuff! Look im a long time reader of this blog and i am always amaized at your train of thought!…
    ----------------------
    Web Design | Web Design Adelaide | Web Design Brisbane

    ReplyDelete
  2. Jan JohnsenJanuary 13, 2013 at 1:59 AM

    You made my day! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMay 28, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    beautiful idea! im thinking of using banana leaves for packing food. how do you do that thing with a toothpick on it? it looks like it standing up right.. thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousMay 13, 2014 at 10:45 AM

    Here in the Philippines, we've been using banana leaves as food packaging for ages. Tip: if you want it to be sturdy, let it pass over fire (like turn on the stove and move the leaf slowly above the fire you have to scald it). Then voila! a very tough banana leaf for folding and wrapping. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  5. ZemkarlosJanuary 27, 2016 at 11:34 AM

    Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that i have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. office furniture

    ReplyDelete
  6. EricaMay 17, 2016 at 8:50 PM

    Dear Jan,

    I found your idea for banana leaf balls. I have an idea of a business which I need banana leaf lunch boxes with the capability to hold stew and rice.
    I saw that you said it is an industry to be born... do you know if someone already researched and is producing things using banana leaf?
    Thank you very much for your response.
    I loved your blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jan JohnsenMay 18, 2016 at 7:36 AM

      Dear Erica, I don't know anyone specifically but I think you should contact University of Hawaii in Manoa horticulture or botany department. They would know...Good Luck with your great idea.

      Delete

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