Brief Summary
In this video, Hank Green embarks on a quest to verify a long-held belief about banana flavoring and the extinct Gros Michel banana. He orders Gros Michel bananas to taste them and compare them to the Cavendish variety, which is the most common type of banana today. He also discusses the science behind the flavor differences and shares his findings after tasting both types of bananas. Additionally, he touches on data privacy and promotes Incogn, a service that helps remove personal data from the internet. Finally, he plays a game of Connections.
- The Gros Michel banana has a distinct smell that is similar to artificial banana flavoring.
- The Cavendish banana has a more subtle flavor and smell.
- The artificial banana flavoring is based on the Gros Michel banana.
Intro
Hank Green discusses the challenges of verifying facts on the internet, particularly in the realm of science. He uses the example of baldness being inherited from the mother's side, which is only partially true due to the influence of the X chromosome. He also mentions the fun fact about dinosaur teeth particles on the moon, which is technically true due to the asteroid impact that caused the KT extinction event. Hank then introduces the main topic: the common belief that banana-flavored candy doesn't taste like modern bananas because it's based on the flavor of the extinct Gros Michel banana.
The Great Banana Experiment
Hank reveals that he has ordered Gros Michel bananas to test the theory that banana flavoring tastes like the extinct variety rather than the Cavendish bananas we eat today. He describes the physical differences between the Gros Michel and Cavendish bananas, noting the unique skin texture and straight shape of the former. He expresses his excitement and anticipation about tasting the Gros Michel and determining whether the long-held belief is true.
Sponsor: Incogn
Hank introduces Incogn, the video's sponsor, and explains how the company helps individuals remove their personal data from data brokers. He highlights the importance of protecting personal information to avoid scams and identity theft, noting that leaked data can be used by criminals for malicious purposes. He promotes Incogn's services, including their custom removals feature, and offers a discount code for viewers.
First Taste of the Gros Michel
Hank tries the Gros Michel banana for the first time, describing its texture, smell, and taste. He notes that it smells mostly like a regular banana and has a similar shape, color, and texture to the Cavendish. However, he finds that it does not taste like banana flavoring, which is disappointing because he wanted the popular fact to be true. He describes the Gros Michel as delicious, with a great combination of sweetness and a slightly green, sharp flavor.
Second Taste and Comparison
After letting the Gros Michel bananas ripen further, Hank tries them again and compares the smell and taste to a Cavendish banana. He notices that the Gros Michel has a stronger smell that is reminiscent of banana flavoring, while the Cavendish has a more subtle scent. He finds that the Gros Michel is creamy and delicious, even better than the Cavendish, but still doesn't have the exact taste of banana flavoring when eaten. However, the smell of the Gros Michel does evoke that artificial banana flavor.
The Verdict and Science of Banana Flavor
Hank concludes that there is some truth to the idea that banana flavoring tastes like the Gros Michel banana, particularly in the smell. He explains that the artificial banana flavoring is based on isoamyl acetate, an ester that was more prevalent in the Gros Michel. He references Wikipedia to support this information. Despite the slightly disappointing taste, Hank expresses his enjoyment of the Gros Michel banana and laments not being able to obtain them regularly.
Endlings Kickstarter and Connections Game
Hank promotes the Endlings Kickstarter, a series about the last individual of a species before extinction. He thanks the supporters of the Kickstarter and encourages viewers to subscribe to the channel. Finally, he plays a game of Connections, a word association game, and shares his thought process as he tries to solve the puzzle. He successfully completes the game after some difficulty.
