Botanically speaking, those white strings are known as phloem bundles. Every flowering plant has a vascular system, much like the network of veins and arteries in the human body. This system is made up of two main tissues: xylem, which carries water and minerals from the roots, and phloem, which transports sugars, nutrients and other compounds produced during photosynthesis to different parts of the plant.
In bananas, the phloem bundles remain visible even after the fruit has ripened. As the banana grows, these fibres transport the nutrients needed to build the fruit’s soft flesh. They help distribute carbohydrates, minerals and water throughout the developing banana, ensuring that every bite becomes sweet, nutritious and evenly formed. In simple terms, they are the fruit’s delivery network.
