[Sca-cooks] Bananas/plantains....

[Sue Clemenger]

Thanks, Bear.  Do you mind if I forward this to the other list?
--maire

Terry Decker wrote:

> The banana you are referring to was found in a Tudor age midden in London in
> June of 1999 and pre-dates general importation of the fruit by around 300
> years.  One of the researchers who examined the banana is working on a study
> of odd imports of fruit into England, but I don't believe it has been
> published yet.  A couple of experts speculated that the banana had come from
> Southeast Asia or the West Indies, but I personally think it arrived on a
> fast ship from the Canary Islands.   Bananas last ten days to two weeks
> after being cut, so regular importation of the fruit into England did not
> occur until fast steamers and temperature controlled holds made the trade
> viable.
><snipped>