the only type of banana eaten in the United States from the late 19th century until after World War II

Gros Michel was the only type of banana eaten in the United States from the late 19th century until after World War II.

the banana cultivated for export

Traditionally, the banana cultivated for export was the Gros Michel, primarily because of export's good handling and storage qualities.

to be the most popular banana cultivar worldwide

Gros Michel used to be the most popular banana cultivar worldwide until an epidemic of Fusarium wilt disease devastated the banana export plantations in the so-called “banana republics” in Middle America (Panama, Honduras, Guatemala, Costa Rica) in the 1950s.

a type of banana or Big Mike called Gros Michel,

Before that, a type of banana called Gros Michel, or Big Mike, was the main type of banana sold on the market.

a fine banana, richer and sweeter than today’s standard Cavendish

Found by French botanists in Asia in the 1820s, the Gros Michel was by all accounts a fine banana, richer and sweeter than today’s standard Cavendish, and without the latter’s bitter aftertaste when green.

a variety of banana that was enjoyed by people all over the world

The Gros Michel, or Big Mike, is a variety of banana that was enjoyed by people all over the world.