ALTHOUGH BANANA tree is native to Asia, bananas are one of most well-known and consumed fruits in Brazil. Still, banana flower is often discarded during production. It is an edible blossom located at the tip of a banana bunch – the taste of the light-colored center is reminiscent of hearts of palm, with a slight bitterness at the end. In Minas Gerais, where it is commonly used in cooking, the cooked ingredient (also called banana “navel” or “heart” in Portuguese) can be used in pie and turnover fillings, cakes, quiches, and stews made with different kinds of meat. Also, a syrup made with banana flower has the reputation of healing cough, asthma and bronchitis.