Ripening is induced by the application of ethylene after arrival of shipments at their destination. Harvest is by hand, with great care taken to avoid bruising because injured fruits release ethylene. Only perfect bananas are used for shipping. They are picked green, dipped in pesticide and packed. Eaten fresh in the New World, bananas are fried, used for beer, steamed, boiled, dried or roasted in their native region of Asia.
Starchy bananas are a staple of the region.