The bananas in your supermarket and that you eat for breakfast are facing functional extinction due to the disease Fusarium wilt of banana (FWB), caused by a fungal pathogen called Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. cubense (Foc) tropical race 4 (TR4).
Scientists have long feared TR4’s introduction into the Americas. Still, Stuart Thompson explains for the Conversation, the infectious outbreak is not wholly unprecedented: During the mid-20th century, a related strain of Fusarium wilt destroyed plantations across Latin America, paving the way for a shift from the predominant “Gros Michel” banana variety to the “Cavendish” version commonly seen today.
Isn’t this the 3rd banana apocalypse at least?
I think it’s only the 2nd:
source
Also, Fusarium is known as Panama Disease.
Isn’t this the reason why some banana candy flavors seem to taste weird? Because they were developed when bananas tasted different?
Yes. The artificial flavor for banana was created in the 19th century when big michael was the common variety.