Dan Koeppel, author of Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World, reports that the banana as we know it may soon become a thing of the past.Lack of genetic variation makes bananas especially susceptible to infection and Panama disease, the fungus that wiped out the Gros Michel banana of our grandparents generation, is now threatening the modern Cavendish banana. Read Koeppel's article Banana R.I.P for an excellent overview of the impending crisis.
For those interested in learning more about the fate of America's most popular fruit, Koeppel's website, bananabook.org, is a comprehensive resource for all banana related news and events.
6 comments:
I had no idea that bananas are America's most popular fruit. They've never been at the top of my list.
the death of the banana is not the death of fruit. it's the death of an idea. that man can and will get out of nature what he wants. if we can't keep the banana alive, i'm embarrassed to be called a man.
Maureen - For someone who claims to not be entirely American that isn't very surprising.
Luz - word is Bill Gates is throwing big dollars at engineering a better banana. Seriously, no joke.
Josh - Touche. My people are most fond of the apple of the earth.
Josh, I have always felt profound anxiety every time you have mentioned the banana becoming non-existent.
You better get used to the idea.
I'm thinking of switching to mangoes; it's time to back a winner.
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