I have skin but I'm not alive. I peel but I'm not paint. I'm usually found in a bunch. What am I?

This riddle cleverly points to a common and beloved fruit. The "skin" it refers to is the banana's protective outer layer, known as a peel, which isn't alive in the way an animal's skin is, but rather a part of a plant. When you prepare to eat this fruit, you "peel" away this outer layer, much like paint might peel from a surface, but of course, it's a natural process for consumption rather than deterioration.

Bananas are indeed famous for how they grow. They develop in clusters, often called "hands," and multiple hands together form a larger "bunch" or "stem" that you typically see at the grocery store. This growth pattern makes them easily recognizable and explains why they are almost always encountered in groups.

Beyond the riddle, bananas are fascinating. Botanically speaking, they are actually considered a berry, and they grow on herbaceous plants, which are often mistaken for trees due to their size. Originating in Southeast Asia, bananas are now cultivated in tropical regions worldwide and are a staple food for millions, prized for their sweet taste and rich potassium content. There are hundreds of varieties, ranging from the common Cavendish to red bananas and plantains, each with unique flavors and uses.