Ohio'sBest

Can the GM(Big Mike) be engineered to withstand the new Panama Disease?

Dalmatiansoap

Where would u put Ice Cream (Blue java) in this "taste fairy tail"? Orinioco? Raja Puri? Some others?..

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TommyMacLuckie

Have you read Dan Koeppel's book? He talks about it, how it's lacking in taste. Basically, the Grand Nain is a poor choice taste wise for a commercial banana but, like fast food corporate America, it's good enough.

In his book he talks about how it's just not as good period compared to the GM.

Gabe15

There has been decades of breeding to achieve just that, but the products of that (particularly 'Goldfinger') have not been widely accepted on the commercial end of things, though they have been extremely useful and well received by subsistence farmers. GMO experiments have been mainly with Cavendish varieties since they are already the consumer accepted variety.

The thing that sticks out most in my mind about 'Ice Cream' is the texture. It is very fluffy and light. The flavor is good too, but I'd have to have some on hand to come up with some decent descriptors.

As for Cavendish, one of the problems comes with shipping, its true some store bought bananas are really very bland and mealy, a result of having to be picked early and kept cool. But in my opinion, fresh Cavendish are still rather good, just not as good to most people compared to Gros Michel. But then again, I tend to like all different banana varieties for what they are, no need to make it a competition, so my opinion may not be the best for those seeking ultimate flavor and eating quality. Gros Michel shouldn't be regarded as the best banana either, its good, but there are some varieties people like even better. One such variety is an African diploid named 'Muraru Mshale', it is very reminiscent of 'Gros Michel' flavor-wise, but if you can imagine it, even firmer, sweeter and possibly more aromatic too.

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Growing bananas in Colorado, Washington, Hawaii since 2004. Commercial banana farmer, 200+ varieties.

TommyMacLuckie

I think part of the point of comparing the Grand Nain to the Gros Michel in Dan's book is this: I have had good tasting Chiquita or Dole bananas, which are most likely Grand Nain from what I understand. That the Gros Michel was (is) better is the point and I get it. So that's a considerable difference in taste. At least, that's how I read it!

ewitte

Lots of better bannas than whats in the store especially if you grow them yourself. That pretty much holds true for the majority of fruits/vegetables sold at the store. I'm not one into paying crazy amounts for something like Gros Michael when there are tons of easily available varieties that taste really good. Ice Cream for example is very easy to find. I think the main appeal is getting something from your childhood (if your old enough) that used to be sold in the stores but is no longer available.

Eric

With Gros Michel, I believe we're talking more "home grown" than "store". And while eating a banana, one ate as a child, may have a certain, nostalgic appeal, the idea of getting to eat a banana you missed out on, in life, creates a stir in itself !
In short, the more different nanners, the better, I say !!
Definitely gotta taste-test a Muraru Mshale. Sounds Awesome!!

Dalmatiansoap

Ou, Eric!!!
nice to see U

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TommyMacLuckie

I would love to get a Gros Michel just for that reason - never had one, born way too late, and would like to know just what the hell was going on. And in terms of it being difficult to get, well, it's just that much more of a mystery. Plus the idea of having my own 'original commercial banana' adds even more to the luster of the Gros Michel. And yeah, one more banana plant that is historically unique.

And, of course, to compare the taste of it to a Grand Nain and, what, Williams and...what's the other one. I forget. I always draw blanks on what the other 2 commercial kind are. Robusta? And how do you tell when you buy them what they are? That's something I've never learned.

But first and foremost - I just want to have my own plant.

Also it's to see what something that is not a cavendish is like, the small details of difference, from that kind of plant. Which I don't know anything about really. The group of kind of bananas the Gros Michel is in is Musa Sapientum. What I haven't looked for at all (yet) is what else is there from that group. I don't think it's ever been pointed out. At least that I've seen. Are the FHIA Gros Michel bananas in the same family? Or however that would be worded?

BullShark

Is Martinico Gigante really the same thing as Gros Michel? Becuase I have seen it advertised that way but I don't think Gros Michel bananas are actually green when ripe.

Bob

The FHIA 23 was created as a Gros Michel type but has none in its lineage. They are reputedly an excellent tasting banana. Don't buy what some nurseries are telling you, calling them GM. In fact that's a clue to stay away from that particular business by all reports.

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Eric

One clue...!? If it's the business I'm thinking of, I can list a couple of hundred more clues . Best way to find a Gros Michel is with a Hawai'ian phone book or by moving to Thailand... Wonder what they wear in Thailand... Hope they got some great bowling alleys...

TommyMacLuckie

I don't have a Hawai'ian phone book.

This is Louisiana, the (sinking) land of corruption! I should be able to get what I want dammit!

Bob

I second that!

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Eric

I'll third & fourth it if it'll get him airfare to Gros Michel... er... Hawaii !
If somebody doesn't get there, I'll need the Fifth .

BTW, to whom it may concern, all 4 nanners doing super today !
BYE

Jack Daw

No surprise, you've cooled down to 32°C or 90°F in the past 2 weeks. They love this temps.

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Thnx to Marcel, Ante, Dr. Chiranjit Parmar and Francesco for the plants I've received.



Zeitgeist - Corporatocracy 101 (~2hrs)

Zeitgeist - Moving Forward (~2.5hrs)

Ohio'sBest

Would the real Gros Michel please stand up......................

lorax

I'm here, I'm here!

Bananaman88

Thanks, Beth! I'll PM my address!!

CValentine

Look at those BEAUTIFUL Gros Michels...
Too bad she ate those last month or so ago...
Remind us again of the flavor...
I know it will probably never happen, BUT...
If you ever get to send any...
ME TOO!! ME TOO!! (((Please))) ~Cheryl

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