
On Tropical Tree Guide, I’ve profiled all sorts of bananas: blue bananas, bananas that look like praying hands, and even bananas that taste like apples.
However, one banana takes the prize in the size department—the humongous Hua Moa 😳
And I’m pleased to say that, unlike other oversized cultivars that taste mediocre (like the Lancetilla Mango or the Marcus Pumpkin Avocado), the Hua Moa isn’t just large; it’s also a delicious banana!
That said, this grow guide will cover everything you need to know about the Hua Moa Banana:
Table of Contents
- Hua Moa Banana Tree Characteristics & Fruit Production
- Hua Moa Banana Flavor Profile
- Hua Moa Banana Disease Resistance
- Hua Moa Banana Tree For Sale (Where To Find)
- Conclusion
Hua Moa Banana Tree Characteristics & Fruit Production

Hua Moa Bananas are small to medium-sized banana trees that usually average between 8 – 12 feet tall. As a result, Hua Moa would not do well long-term in containers and would NOT be considered a “condo” banana.
Fun Fact #1: In Hawaiian, Hua Moa translates to “chicken egg fruit,” referring to the fruit at the bottom of the rack, which have an egg-like shape. Though, I personally think that the Pitogo Banana looks more like an egg 🤓
Due to their thick and sturdy pseudostems, Hua Moa Bananas can tolerate mild to moderate winds. However, it’s still best to avoid planting them in areas with frequent or extreme winds, as their leaves are still prone to shredding in the event of strong gusts.

The Hua Moa is a Musa acuminata x balbisiana hybrid belonging to the Maoli-Popoulu Subgroup and features a triploid (AAB) genome structure. Other triploid (AAB) banana cultivars include, but are not limited to:
- Manzano (Apple)
- Mysore
- Pisang Raja
- Silk
Why does banana chromosomal count even matter? Glad you asked! 😜

In layman’s terms, the sweetness and softness of a banana’s texture increase with a higher concentration of ‘A’ chromosomes inherited from Musa acuminata. Conversely, a greater proportion of ‘B’ chromosomes from Musa balbisiana enhances the banana’s resilience, improving its cold tolerance and resistance to diseases.
The Hua Moa Banana’s extra ‘A’ chromosomes contribute to its distinctively sweet and creamy flavor—but more on that shortly! 😉
On the other hand, the Hua Moa’s lack of ‘B’ chromosomes means that the tree is much more susceptible to environmental stressors such as drought and disease.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the Hua Moa Banana has poor cold tolerance. In fact, I’ve observed that the Hua Moa only truly thrives in hot, humid climates. If fall or winter temperatures in your specific microclimate regularly dip below 50°F, I would strongly recommend avoiding planting a Hua Moa.
Finally, when grown under optimal conditions, Hua Moa’s fruit production consistently ranges from average to good. Although each hand has only a small number of fruits—usually around four—each individual fruit can weigh up to one pound!

Let that sink in, a ONE POUND BANANA 😳
All in all, a full rack of Hua Moa Bananas can weigh anywhere between 30 and 50 pounds!
Couple this with the fact that Hua Moa is a very precocious banana, beginning to fruit 12 to 14 months after planting, and you’ve got yourself a workhorse of a banana tree.

Hua Moa Banana Flavor Profile
Hua Moa Bananas are immediately striking with their thick, blocky shape.
Each banana can reach up to 3–4 inches in diameter and 10–11 inches in length! For comparison, they are roughly three to four times the size of a standard Cavendish Banana.
Interestingly, unlike other bananas, the Hua Moa is not easy to peel from the stem end. You’ll actually have better luck peeling it from the bottom—just like monkeys do! 🐒

Fun Fact #2: The Hua Moa Banana’s thin peel is so delicate that light can actually shine through once it’s removed.
For the best flavor, wait until the Hua Moa’s peel develops dark brown spots. These bananas need to be fully ripe to taste their best.
To really emphasize this point, I’ve found that, almost every time, people who aren’t fans of Hua Moa just had the misfortune of trying one that was picked too soon. Waiting for full ripeness makes all the difference.

The texture of a Hua Moa is thick, dense, and incredibly creamy—similar to the Nam Wah Banana but with an extra chewiness in each bite. It’s not light and fluffy like a Blue Java; instead, it has a rich, substantial feel with very little fiber to interrupt the smoothness.
Note: The Hua Moa has a firm, pithy core running through the middle, so it’s best to eat from the sides, almost like you would with a corncob. That said, this firm core is typically due to the fruit growing in suboptimal environmental conditions, which usually isn’t an issue in hotter, more humid climates.

Hua Moa Bananas have a wonderfully subtle aroma and an impressive depth of flavor.
With its distinct sub-acid component, the banana delivers a taste reminiscent of strawberries or raspberries, adding a light, tart edge to each sweet bite.
The Hua Moa’s sweetness is similar to that of a Cavendish, but the banana flavor itself is more concentrated and intense, closer to the classic Gros Michel. Combined with its sub-acid notes, this creates a satisfyingly strong bite not commonly found in other bananas.

Finally, one of the best things about the Hua Moa Banana is its versatility—it’s equally suited as a dessert banana and for cooking.
When green, the Hua Moa takes on a starchy quality similar to a plantain, with little fiber, so it crisps up well when fried—making it ideal for dishes like tostones (banana chips). This versatility is why it’s a popular ingredient in Cuban, Caribbean, and Central and South American cooking.
Personally, I find Hua Moa Bananas to be excellent in banana bread, where they add an extra kick of intense banana flavor. If you live somewhere warm enough to support this plant, I can’t recommend growing Hua Moa enough—it’s a delicious, multi-use addition to any banana lover’s garden.

Hua Moa Banana Disease Resistance
Due to its triploid (AAB) genome structure, the Hua Moa Banana has terrible disease resistance.
More specifically, the Hua Moa Banana is very prone to both Panama Disease and Sigatoka Disease and should, therefore, only be planted in disease-free soils.

Hua Moa Banana Tree For Sale (Where To Find)
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Conclusion
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