It was a hidden europe reader from Ireland who contacted us with the news that Europe's leading nation for banana consumption is Iceland. Our research team checked the facts and our informant is definitely correct. We have pondered for weeks quite what we might do with this vital intelligence. And now realise that it perfectly hits the spot for this new 'Notes' section of our website. So here goes!
Bananas really are big business in Iceland. There are few more popular snacks in the tundra than a nice ripe banana - which may go some way to explaining why McDonalds cut no ice in Iceland and announced in October that they will quit the country. This culinary revolution will promote Iceland to the select band of McFree nations in Europe. Others in the club include Vatican City and Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Not only do Icelanders eat bananas more enthusiastically than any other country in Europe, but they grow them too. Huge reserves of geothermal energy are ideal for greenhouses and the Icelandic authorities have decided that growing bananas locally makes good sense and is environmentally a lot sounder than importing the fruit from Latin America.
And just for the record (for we know you were wondering), Slovenia is the country that comes second in the European banana consumption league table.
Nicky Gardner and Susanne Kries
(hidden europe)
