Why Do Grocery Stores Sell Cloned Bananas and Not Their Original Variance?
The banana that we consume today, the Cavendish, is a marketed clone that replaced the original variety cultivated and consumed before the modern era, the Gros Michel. While the Gros Michel was known for its rich taste, texture, and ability to survive long-distance trade, it was nearly wiped out by a fungal disease called Panama disease, caused by the Fusarium oxysporum fungus. This catastrophic event prompted the banana industry to switch to the resilient Cavendish variety. But why don’t grocery stores sell the Gros Michel?
End of the Gros Michel Era
Before the 20th century, the Gros Michel was the dominating variety in cultivation. This giant banana could grow up to a foot long and was celebrated for its superior taste and ability to withstand the rigors of long-distance shipping. However, a deadly combination of environmental and economic factors spelled its doom.
a fungal disease that began in the 1950s, known as Panama disease, greatly affected the Gros Michel plantations. The fungus, Fusarium oxysporum, spread rapidly and extensively, causing major losses in banana production. As a result, commercial plants of the Gros Michel disappeared, and the industry shifted to the Cavendish variety.
The Rise of the Cloned Cavendish
The Cavendish banana is a genetic clone of a single plant, which was discovered to be resistant to the Panama disease strain that devastated Gros Michel plantations. It was this resilience, coupled with ease of cultivation, shipping, and storage, that led to the Cavendish becoming the dominant variety in global markets.
Today, grocery stores primarily sell Cavendish bananas because they are easier to grow, transport, and store. They don’t require the same level of specialized care as the Gros Michel, which made them the preferred choice for commercial retailers.
The Original Banana Variety
It is often believed that there is a single “original” banana variety, but in reality, there is no seed due to the way bananas reproduce. They rely on cloning techniques, such as taking slips, cuttings, or performing budding and grafting. This method ensures that the desired qualities are preserved, and it’s a practice that extends beyond bananas to include numerous other fruits and vegetables, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and sweet oranges.
Imagine a world without the cloned
End of the Original Variety
Going back to the original banana would result in a drastically different eating experience. Bananas as we know them are a testament to thousands of years of selective breeding. They are now seedless, sweet, and fleshy. But if we retracted to the original, the results would be surprisingly unappetizing. The original banana would likely be small, filled with pea-sized seeds, and have only a thin layer of flesh surrounding these seeds. It would be woody and not very sweet.
It is fascinating to think about how modern agricultural practices have transformed not just the Cavendish, but countless other fruits and vegetables that grace our tables today. The shift from Gros Michel to Cavendish is a story of resilience in the face of disease and the innovation of human agriculture.
Conclusion
While the Gros Michel and other original banana varieties are still used in certain parts of the world, they are far less common in commercial production due to various factors like lower yield, shorter shelf life, and susceptibility to diseases. The Cavendish is here to stay, and the cloned banana remains the standard in grocery stores across the world. Yet, the journey of banana varieties serves as a reminder of the power and impact of selective breeding and the ongoing quest to improve our daily staples.