Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

Hey guys,
I was just curious, does anyone know what variety has fruity, classic "banana" flavor? I've heard the Gros Michel was one of the best examples of this, but I wasn't sure if that was really the case or not. Are there any kind that any would recommend? Thanks!

Re: Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

Dole and Chiquita bananas that taste like bananas not like apples ,strawberries,cantaloupe or peaches and cream with a hint of blueberry .

Re: Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

I'd say yes, Gros Michel. I've started eating my ripening bunch this week. From the scent alone upon peeling I thought that they really even smell like what you think of as banana smell and the taste was more like fake banana flavoring. For example, I recently bought some banana scented soap, and eating a GM today I thought it smelled a lot like the soap. I'm not planning on tasting the soap, however.

Re: Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

These Dole and Chiquita bananas that taste like bananas, are they rubbery, corky, or spongy and will they grow in the tropics?

Is this the correct Dole, ABB?

TARS 18250 - Musa hybr. - Dole - Belgium

Re: Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

Not rubbery,corky or spongy yes they can be grown in the tropics

Re: Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

never having eaten gros michel, I can't speak to it's flavor. But, cavendish bananas taste like a banana. Their flavor matches the flavor used in many banana flavored items. Fhia 17 is much the same.

Re: Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

Thanks Nicolas I appreciate it! How did you like the FHIA-17? Would you say it's worth growing?

Re: Banana Variety with the best "Classic" Banana Flavor
 

It is a slow-grower and not tolerant of cold at all. After the freeze of Dec. 2010 I lost 100 of them and the ones that didn't get killed outright took a long time to send up new shoots. The fruit tastes like banana. I wouldn't grow it anywhere where freezes and frosts occur because you will not likely see fruit.