I can name and differentiate several forms of Apple or Pear, but I don't think I've ever even seen other versions of raw banana besides standard yellow (which is actually Cavendish based on google search). I enjoy fried ripe plantains, but never understood the appeal of tostones, which puts me at odds with my in-laws.
It turns out that the Gros Michel (i.e. the "Big Mike", not the "Gross Michelle" ) was the commercially dominant variety of banana sold around the world until Panama Disease almost wiped out its entire crop in the 1950's, after which the Cavendish took over as the commercially dominant variety worldwide (though the Gros Michel is still around, albeit in much smaller numbers). That's why, among other things, long-time produced banana flavored candies tend to taste more sweet than the Cavendish does. Their taste was based on the Gros Michel. Hopefully things are still okay between you, your in-laws and plantains. -G
In fact, while this song was originally published in 1923, its popularity re-emerged during the 1950's banana shortage (between the fall of the Gros Michel and the rise of the Cavendish). -G
Apple banana. You'll find them in Hawaii. They're short and stumpy, like fat plantains, but they have a really tart flavor to them. They ruined regular bananas for me.