Gros Michel
Birch Ply, Stain, Light
The Gros Michel banana was once the king of the banana world. Originally from Southeast Asia, it made its way to the Americas and gained popularity in the early 20th century for its rich, sweet flavor and sturdy texture. However, its reign was short-lived. In the 1950s, the Gros Michel fell victim to Panama disease, a soil-borne fungus. This outbreak devastated banana plantations and led to the Gros Michel’s decline. As a result, the less susceptible Cavendish banana took its place as the most commonly cultivated banana variety worldwide. Today, the Gros Michel remains a symbol of the risks of mono-cultivation and remains impossible to cultivate comercially in most of the world.