The gros michel banana actually isn't extinct, just very rare. A few years ago, I fell down the rabbit hole of realizing my daily banana, the cavendish, wasn't the only variety. I'd tried many varieties of apples, pears, stone fruits (they grow locally) but never another sort of banana. So I set out on a quest to try every banana I could.
I started with my local HMart, which often stocks manzano bananas and sometimes cuban reds (my favorite). I also tracked down burro bananas locally. I ordered a variety box online which let me try nam wah, mysore, and goldfinger.
My journey ended with an extravagant birthday gift, a box of gros michel from Miami Fruit. I didn't find them worth the hype but it was an interesting experience anyway.
Someday I plan to track down a blue java banana as well but no luck so far. Miami Fruit offers them but at $127 a box plus shipping I can't justify the expense.
Saw the stand alone banana at the New Museum and did not realize the history and significance. Brava! A future season of fruits in fashion seems “ripe” -- “appealing?”
This is exactly the kind of niche and yet wildly expansive content I've come to rely on you for!
Banana Republic originally had the tag line "Travel and Safari Clothing Company" which is a supportive (!!!!) nod to the practice of Big Fruit's violent meddling in the economies and sovereignty of other countries.
Question: How long was "Holla Back Girl" stuck in your head after writing this? I cannot spell bananas without Gwen's assistance.
once became, at first, ~enraged~ when I saw (I think at a chain hotel, or maybe an airport?) they had put out bananas that were individually wrapped in cellophane. resigned to being entertained by the banana and its perfect form exposing the absurdity of human beings. we can be so ridiculous!
Great timing! Bloomberg out with an article this week about the arms race between growers and a lethal fungus that threatens to destroy the cavendish monoculture.
The Amazon monopoly is one of my soapbox topics and I’m thrilled with the new talking points you’ve provided. Had not considered the US Gov angle, and I feel vindicated in my recent lack of appetite for bananas.
PS: Have always loved Carmen Miranda, thanks for the clip.
I saw Stew Leonard's and had never heard of it. But I live in Richmond, Virginia and here we have Tom Leonard's. Apparently, he's Stew's son. Which was fun.
Watching a V&A Museum video comparing the wardrobes of American Barbie and British Sindy dolls. In the 60s Sindy had a shopping ensemble that included a tote bag with, of course, three tiny plastic oranges!
The gros michel banana actually isn't extinct, just very rare. A few years ago, I fell down the rabbit hole of realizing my daily banana, the cavendish, wasn't the only variety. I'd tried many varieties of apples, pears, stone fruits (they grow locally) but never another sort of banana. So I set out on a quest to try every banana I could.
I started with my local HMart, which often stocks manzano bananas and sometimes cuban reds (my favorite). I also tracked down burro bananas locally. I ordered a variety box online which let me try nam wah, mysore, and goldfinger.
My journey ended with an extravagant birthday gift, a box of gros michel from Miami Fruit. I didn't find them worth the hype but it was an interesting experience anyway.
Someday I plan to track down a blue java banana as well but no luck so far. Miami Fruit offers them but at $127 a box plus shipping I can't justify the expense.
Hobonichi released a mini banana hammer alongside their 2024 diaries and it has sold out: https://www.1101.com/store/techo/en/2024/sp/detail_toolstoys/s_bananadx/
thank u for this niche and delightful missive
There was an entire Discourse about Bananas Under Socialism not that long ago... although that seems unlikely to start a clothing trend?
"quickly became extremely insulting" links back to this article by the way
Saw the stand alone banana at the New Museum and did not realize the history and significance. Brava! A future season of fruits in fashion seems “ripe” -- “appealing?”
This is exactly the kind of niche and yet wildly expansive content I've come to rely on you for!
Banana Republic originally had the tag line "Travel and Safari Clothing Company" which is a supportive (!!!!) nod to the practice of Big Fruit's violent meddling in the economies and sovereignty of other countries.
Question: How long was "Holla Back Girl" stuck in your head after writing this? I cannot spell bananas without Gwen's assistance.
once became, at first, ~enraged~ when I saw (I think at a chain hotel, or maybe an airport?) they had put out bananas that were individually wrapped in cellophane. resigned to being entertained by the banana and its perfect form exposing the absurdity of human beings. we can be so ridiculous!
Fruit, fashion, and Stew Leonards? I mean, what more could a girl ask for?
Great timing! Bloomberg out with an article this week about the arms race between growers and a lethal fungus that threatens to destroy the cavendish monoculture.
Outstanding rabbit hole!
The Amazon monopoly is one of my soapbox topics and I’m thrilled with the new talking points you’ve provided. Had not considered the US Gov angle, and I feel vindicated in my recent lack of appetite for bananas.
PS: Have always loved Carmen Miranda, thanks for the clip.
Incredible read, thank you! you summoned the anatomically flawed childhood classic BANANAS IN PAJAMAS: https://rb.gy/5jqvbs
Great now I need to explain the over ripe concrete banana when it comes in the mail. Good article! Maybe I'll buy some banana fabric.
don't forget cattelan's taped banana
https://news.artnet.com/art-world/maurizio-cattelan-banana-explained-1732773
I saw Stew Leonard's and had never heard of it. But I live in Richmond, Virginia and here we have Tom Leonard's. Apparently, he's Stew's son. Which was fun.
https://tomleonardsfarmersmarket.com/our-story/
Watching a V&A Museum video comparing the wardrobes of American Barbie and British Sindy dolls. In the 60s Sindy had a shopping ensemble that included a tote bag with, of course, three tiny plastic oranges!
https://youtu.be/YrS2piMjHCE?si=0DeXC0gl_dSz6xDJ
One of the bananas things about bananas is the TOTALLY WILD logistics of BANANA RIPENING FACILITIES.
This article is just sooooooooo good.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/04/nyregion/the-secret-life-of-the-banana.html