welikesnow

I heard this great interview with Dan Koeppel, author of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World. Some things I learned:

•  Prior to the 50’s we ate a different type of banana. Now: Cavendish. Then: Gros Michel. The Gros Michel crop was destroyed by disease, but was far superior to the Cavendish. Supposedly creamier and sweeter. You can still grow the Gros Michel, but not on a large scale. I’d like to try one.
• The reason the Gros Michel was wiped out is because bananas are all genetically identical due to their method of propagation. This, obviously, makes them more susceptible to disease. The Cavendish is in the process of being destroyed by the same disease that got the Gros Michel. Uh oh.
• Some communities get up to 80% of their calories from bananas. No more bananas would mean big trouble for them.
• Terry Gross is back doing interviews so I can resume listening to the Fresh Air podcast.