Bananas are one of the most popular and widely consumed fruits around the world, thanks to their sweet flavor, convenience, and affordability. Thought to have been first domesticated in Southeast Asia, bananas were mentioned in early Greek, Latin, and Arab writings. In fact, Alexander the Great saw bananas on an expedition to India. Shortly after the discovery of America, bananas were taken from the Canary Islands to the New World, where they were first established in Hispaniola and soon spread to other islands and the mainland. Cultivation increased until bananas became a staple foodstuff in many regions, and in the 19th century, they began to appear in the markets of the United States. Today, bananas are available year-round and are consumed by millions globally. Although Cavendish bananas are by far the most common variety imported by nontropical countries, plantain varieties account for about 85 percent of all banana cultivation worldwide. But regardless of the variety, bananas off...