The Cavendish banana is the most popular fruit in both the US and Europe. The EU imports around 6 million tons of Cavendish bananas each year, or 110 bananas per person. Virginia Scott Jenkins notes that the banana first gained popularity around the time people were just starting to learn about germs and food hygiene.
The banana, once a luxury good, rose to become America’s favorite fruit. Now a deadly fungus threatens to wipe it out. Can it be saved?