The perfect banana

sal · 05-12-2014, 01:55 PM

I read this today. Crazy!

The Most Coveted Banana in the World?

How much is the perfect banana worth? Dole Japan is on a mission to find out.

Early Friday morning at a Takashimaya Department Store in Tokyo, Dole released 59 limited-edition premium bananas priced at the equivalent of $5.80 USD a pop. The fruits, Dole’s prized Gokusen variety, were each emblazoned with a serial number and packaged prettily in a gift box.

Yes, we know. You have a lot of questions.

Why might people be willing to shell out cold hard cash for a $6 banana in a box? According to Japan Today, Dole scientists used 100 different types of bananas to breed what it deemed a perfect specimen, then grew the resulting strain at an undisclosed location 500 meters above sea-level, where temperatures are perfect for banana growing.

This reportedly resulted in a banana that’s 36.5 percent sweeter, 33.4 percent more fragrant, and 40 percent better textured than conventional bananas.

And why were only 59 bananas sold for this recent promotion? Kotaku explains: “The name of these bananas is ‘Gokusen,’ with the character for ‘goku’ referring to ‘extreme’ or ‘culmination,’ and the character for ‘sen’ referring to ‘compilation.’ Since they were released on May 9 (5/9), the event is a Japanese pun: the number five is ‘go’ while the number nine is ‘ku.’”

So there you have it. Super-expensive bananas. If you’re mystified as to why anyone would buy them, remember that people apparently find more expensive foods tastier. So it’s just science.

https://www.yahoo.com/food/the-most-...225843761.html

Abnshrek · 05-12-2014, 03:12 PM

That's what you get when you have to pay for a box & a serial number.. :^)

Hammocked Banana · 05-12-2014, 03:19 PM

59 people got ripped off!

servatusprime · 05-12-2014, 03:45 PM

Is there anything actually special about this variety? I've never heard of it before but I am a little curious.

Abnshrek · 05-12-2014, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by servatusprime

Is there anything actually special about this variety? I've never heard of it before but I am a little curious.

Wouldn't be something if they just sold them some Gros Michel.. :^)

Bob3 · 05-12-2014, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Abnshrek

Wouldn't be something if they just sold them some Gros Michel.. :^)

heh heh heh... yah, but to take that just a little further, I was thinking "Ice Cream".
(assuming they don't go bonkers trying to figure out "which" version.

05-12-2014, 01:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
sal Newbie Location: Harlingen, TX Find me on the map! Zone: 9 Name: Sal Join Date: Jul 2013 Posts: 273 BananaBucks : 23,078 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 594 Times Was Thanked 288 Times in 95 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 846 Times	The perfect banana I read this today. Crazy! The Most Coveted Banana in the World? How much is the perfect banana worth? Dole Japan is on a mission to find out. Early Friday morning at a Takashimaya Department Store in Tokyo, Dole released 59 limited-edition premium bananas priced at the equivalent of $5.80 USD a pop. The fruits, Dole’s prized Gokusen variety, were each emblazoned with a serial number and packaged prettily in a gift box. Yes, we know. You have a lot of questions. Why might people be willing to shell out cold hard cash for a $6 banana in a box? According to Japan Today, Dole scientists used 100 different types of bananas to breed what it deemed a perfect specimen, then grew the resulting strain at an undisclosed location 500 meters above sea-level, where temperatures are perfect for banana growing. This reportedly resulted in a banana that’s 36.5 percent sweeter, 33.4 percent more fragrant, and 40 percent better textured than conventional bananas. And why were only 59 bananas sold for this recent promotion? Kotaku explains: “The name of these bananas is ‘Gokusen,’ with the character for ‘goku’ referring to ‘extreme’ or ‘culmination,’ and the character for ‘sen’ referring to ‘compilation.’ Since they were released on May 9 (5/9), the event is a Japanese pun: the number five is ‘go’ while the number nine is ‘ku.’” So there you have it. Super-expensive bananas. If you’re mystified as to why anyone would buy them, remember that people apparently find more expensive foods tastier. So it’s just science. https://www.yahoo.com/food/the-most-...225843761.html __________________

05-12-2014, 03:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
Abnshrek Happy Growing Abnshrek's Photo Gallery Location: Beaumont Texas Find me on the map! Zone: 8b, but 9b weather.. Name: Migael / Michael Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 9,493 BananaBucks : 349,044 Feedback: 45 / 100% Said "Thanks" 10,447 Times Was Thanked 16,444 Times in 5,239 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 2,318 Times	Re: The perfect banana That's what you get when you have to pay for a box & a serial number.. :^) __________________ I'm a Nannerhead :^)

05-12-2014, 03:19 PM	#3 (permalink)
Hammocked Banana Relaxin Under the Nanners Location: Toronto, ON and Peterborough, ON Find me on the map! Zone: 6a and 5a respectively Name: Brady Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 958 BananaBucks : 64,290 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 3,178 Times Was Thanked 1,156 Times in 555 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 30 Times	Re: The perfect banana 59 people got ripped off!

05-12-2014, 03:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
servatusprime Find me on the map! Zone: 10A Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 476 BananaBucks : 119,923 Feedback: 2 / 100% Said "Thanks" 446 Times Was Thanked 913 Times in 262 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 24 Times	Re: The perfect banana Is there anything actually special about this variety? I've never heard of it before but I am a little curious.

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