Green bananas are very firm, but as they ripen the green color turns yellow.
As bananas ripen, the starch in the fruit turns to sugar. Therefore, the riper the banana the sweeter it will taste. Green tipped bananas are best for cooking, such as in a side dish. Full yellow bananas are excellent for eating out of hand or adding to cereal or salads. And brown-specked bananas are best for baking in breads and cookies.