Banana-flavored candies and products evoke a sense of nostalgia but also a pang of curiosity due to their almost artificial-tasting difference from the actual fruit. This distinction in flavor profiles stems not from imaginative chemical engineering but from historical circumstances surrounding the variety of banana on which these flavors were originally based.
The Gros Michel, also known as "Big Mike," was once the predominant export banana to the United States and Europe until the 1950s. It was known for its robust flavor and thick, resilient skin, making it ideal for long shipping durations. The banana flavoring found in candies today, such as those in banana-flavored Laffy Taffy or Runts, is reminiscent of this particular species.
However, a catastrophic fungal disease known as Panama disease or banana wilt, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, devastated Gros Michel banana plantations across the globe. This outbreak led to the near extinction of the Gros Michel by the 1960s, prompting banana producers to switch to the Cavendish variety, which, while resistant to the fungus, lacked the intense flavor profile and thicker texture of its predecessor.
The flavor distinction arises because artificial banana flavoring was developed based on the Gros Michel bananas available at the time. These flavorings typically use isoamyl acetate, a chemical compound that mimics the taste and smell of ripe bananas. Even though this compound is present in all bananas, including the Cavendish variety predominately consumed today, the Gros Michel reportedly had a richer, more pronounced flavor that made the synthetic version more noticeable, hence the stark contrast to the milder taste and firmer texture of the Cavendish banana.
Today, while you can occasionally find Gros Michel bananas grown in specific regions that are not affected by Panama disease, they are no longer the commercial standard. The memory of their flavor lives on largely through the artificial replication in candies and desserts, a lingering reminder of a bygone era in banana cultivation. This interesting trivia not only highlights the impact of agricultural challenges on food production but also on how the flavors of yesteryears are preserved and experienced in contemporary times.
