Go Bananas Celebrating National Banana Bread Day

It seems there is a holiday for everything and National Banana Bread Day (February 23) is no exception. Plus, who in their right mind doesn't like banana bread?

There really isn't a widely accepted reason or person responsible for this special day, but who needs one? Just my opinion, but this day was probably created for lovers of this sweet bread as an excuse to bake and eat it.

Banana bread became popular in the US in the 1930s when it was included in cookbooks as baking powder and baking soda became kitchen staples and separated this quick bread from traditional leavened breads.

It is unclear when banana bread was introduced to Americans, however The Vienna Model Bakery advertised banana bread in 1893.

Here are a few banana facts to make Banana Bread Day more fun.

• A banana tree is actually a giant herb, not a tree
• Bunches of bananas are called a hand with each banana a finger
• Bananas are one of the only fruits harvested year-round
• 95% of Americans purchase bananas at least once a month

Now, it's time to quit monkeying around and get to baking some banana bread to celebrate this incredibly important and delicious day.