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Already the most-eaten fresh fruit in America, bananas are ripe for the beverage market beyond smoothies in Metro Detroit and across the country.

By the numbers: Banana is the fastest-growing beverage ingredient flavor over the past year at restaurants, per Circana market data.

Top chains introduced 100 banana items from July 2025 through July 2026, more than in any previous full year.

Most of them were nonalcoholic beverages, according to Datassential.

Search interest is surging, too. "Banana coffee" and "banana matcha" hit all-time highs in search in 2026, per Google Trends.

TikTok has plenty of videos for the banana-curious, including a tutorial for making banana iced coffee at home by Eva Longoria.

Zoom in: You don't have to travel far to find banana flavor at a local coffee shop.

Saturn Coffee, New Center: This spot in an Albert Kahn building offers caramel banana syrup for its lattes.

Balam Coffee & Wine, Ferndale: Order a banana latte made with banana puree.

Bun Chai, Ann Arbor and Hamtramck: This cafe's summer menu is banana-laden: iced or hot banana pudding latte and bananas Foster latte.

There's also banana or banana pudding matcha.

Azal Coffee, Dearborn: Iced matcha banana latte and banana bread breve latte.

Dose, Midtown: Among its signature drinks is a hot or iced banana bread latte.

Kyuu Cafe, Shelby Township: Matcha-nana latte with banana syrup, vanilla cold foam, matcha, milk and a cinnamon and caramelized banana topping.

Banana coffee takes off in Metro Detroit

Banana is popping up in lattes and matcha across local coffee shops.

Two-panel collage: left shows a hand holding a green matcha drink with white foam in a clear cup at a cafe with a neon sign; right shows a tall iced milk tea on a white table inside a warm, bar-lit space.

Banana pudding matcha from Bun Chai (left) and a banana latte from Balam Coffee & Wine. Photos: Annalise Frank/Axios (left) and Balam Coffee & Wine/Daniel Oliva

Already the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="most-eaten" data-vars-click-url="https://yougov.com/en-us/ratings/fruits" data-vars-content-id="4e4f59ee-c2f2-4e90-9216-3b07855549aa" data-vars-headline="Banana coffee takes off in Metro Detroit" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://yougov.com/en-us/ratings/fruits" target="_blank">most-eaten</a> fresh fruit in America, bananas are ripe for the beverage market beyond smoothies in Metro Detroit and across the country.By the numbers: Banana is the fastest-growing beverage ingredient flavor over the past year at restaurants, per Circana market data.

Food and Drink

In its 16th year, the Detroit Month of Design is showing how creative industries translate into concrete action.

Why it matters: Throughout September, artists, designers and entrepreneurs will show how design jumps off the page to help us navigate our ever-evolving communities.

Most events are free and open to the public.

State of play: The theme, "Design Moves the Future," will be reflected in various events from exhibitions, panels and product debuts to tours that explore design studios and hands-on workshops.

Context: Detroit is the sole UNESCO-designated City of Design in the U.S. That makes it part of a global collaborative network prioritizing creativity when tackling civic challenges and growing economies.

Detroit is also recognized for its history of inventing industrial design, according to Design Core Detroit, which runs the festival.

Some highlights of the design month calendar:

🌉 "Between Your Love and Mine": Architectural installations that reflect the U.S.-Canada border as a place for vibrant cultural exchange instead of political tension.

Sept. 3-30 in Little Village, 1265 Parkview St.

🧑‍🎓 "Live/Work": The Cranbrook Academy of Art's open studio event shows how its graduates' work helps others — say, with economic opportunities or community engagement.

Sept. 19, 12-5pm at 39221 Woodward Ave. in Bloomfield Hills.

⚒️ Workshop: Build and customize a table/stool with designer Tony Printz.

1-5pm for two days, Sept. 12-13, at Chroma, 2937 E Grand Blvd. in Detroit.

🪩 Eastern Market After Dark: The month's signature event. Grab drinks and food, experience design installations and visit businesses and artists' displays. Get there early for parking.

Detroit Month of Design puts ideas in motion

September brings exhibitions, workshops and design experiences across the region.

Urban scene with a tall metal water tower on a steel framework beside a brick building under a clear blue sky. People gather near a wooden-frame installation on the grassy area.

A past Detroit Month of Design event. Photo: Courtesy of Detroit Month of Design

In its 16th year, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Detroit Month of Design" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitmonthofdesign.org/" data-vars-content-id="6077c56c-bb1f-4155-832f-8d18f0865b49" data-vars-headline="Detroit Month of Design puts ideas in motion" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitmonthofdesign.org/" target="_blank">Detroit Month of Design</a> is showing how creative industries translate into concrete action.Why it matters: Throughout September, artists, designers and entrepreneurs will show how design jumps off the page to help us navigate our ever-evolving communities.Most events are free and open to the public.

Culture

Things to Do

Apple harvests are underway across Metro Detroit, and you can be part of the action.

The big picture: The classic fall activity of apple picking is finally within reach.

We know it's bittersweet because summer is out the door soon.

State of play: Despite some spring weather problems, the majority of the state's apple growing regions expect above-average apple crops this year, according to the Michigan Apple Committee. That includes a particularly plentiful crop of Honeycrisps.

Michigan is the third-highest apple producing state, the committee says.

What to expect: The Paula Red, Ginger Gold and Gala varieties should already be available, with Honeycrisps starting around this week.

Golden Delicious and McIntosh are expected around Sept. 7.

Fuji and Jonagold are expected in late Sept..

The latecomers include Ambrosia around Oct. 5, Evercrisp around Oct. 26 and Cripps Pink around Nov. 2.

Blake's: Busy and well known, this multi-location orchard offers a plethora of activities, including u-pick apples and other fruit, at three locations: Blake's Orchard & Cider Mill in Armada, Blake's Big Apple in Armada and Blake's Lyon Township.

Pay by weight, with a minimum purchase of $20.

Westview: Expect apple picking to start in the beginning of September at this Washington Township orchard that also offers raspberry picking, a winery and family activities.

Wiard's: This Ypsilanti u-pick option is available by purchasing tickets to Wiard's Country Fair, which runs through the fall and costs $18 on weekdays and $27 on weekends.

Hy's: Opening Sept. 12 and only open on weekends, this spot near Romeo offers u-pick apples and all the classic activities.

Go deeper: A complete Michigan apple harvest guide

Where to pick apples in Metro Detroit

Grab a basket: Local orchards are opening for fall apple picking.

Photo: Emily Elconin/Blooomberg via Getty Images

Apple harvests are underway across Metro Detroit, and you can be part of the action.The big picture: The classic fall activity of apple picking is finally within reach.

An outpouring of tributes from local musicians followed Dolly Parton's death Tuesday at 80, including from Eminem, who shared a heartfelt letter she wrote him.

Jack White also commemorated her legacy with a cover of "Jolene" Tuesday night in London.

Zoom out: The musician, cultural icon and philanthropist performed in more than 700 locations across the U.S. and a dozen other countries across her nearly six-decade career.

By the numbers: While she performed 92 times in Tennessee — considering her deep bond with Nashville — she performed 18 times in Michigan, according to Setlist.

Michigan was tied for ninth in the ranking of states she performed in.

Flashback: The most recent was Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids in 2016, per Setlist, preceded by Pine Knob Music Theatre in Clarkston in 2008.

Go deeper: Parton's boundary-breaking legacy

Dolly Parton's impact in Michigan and across the country

As tributes roll in, the performer's legacy stretches wide.

U.S. map shows the 706 locations where Dolly Parton performed during her career.

An outpouring of tributes from local musicians followed Dolly Parton&#x27;s death Tuesday at 80, including from Eminem, who shared a heartfelt <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="letter she wrote him" data-vars-click-url="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/people/2026/08/25/eminem-and-other-detroit-musicians-honor-dolly-parton-on-social-media/91465418007/" data-vars-content-id="8e340cb5-8fc9-4a71-a802-fc10ea239c37" data-vars-headline="Dolly Parton&#x27;s impact in Michigan and across the country" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/people/2026/08/25/eminem-and-other-detroit-musicians-honor-dolly-parton-on-social-media/91465418007/" target="_blank">letter she wrote him</a>.

Woodward Avenue's Garden Bowl bowling alley has been under three generations of family ownership over eight decades.

The big picture: Throughout this weekend, the Zainea family is hosting events and specials to commemorate 80 years with the Garden Bowl — among the country's oldest continually operating bowling alleys.

Zoom in: The Zaineas are also celebrating by assisting 80 local charities throughout the year in their fundraising, according to a news release.

The effort includes food drives, ticket donations, volunteering, free lanes and more for organizations like the Capuchin Soup Kitchen, Ruth Ellis Center, Coleman A. Young Foundation and the Tuskegee Airmen Historical Museum and Flight Academy.

Context: The Garden Bowl, on the National Register of Historic Places, first opened in 1913.

Today: Live music starting at 8pm and 80-cent PBR.

Tomorrow: Kids' day, with free face painting, pizza and pitcher deals.

Sunday: Brunch-n-bowl, plus a big flea market and craft vendor fair called Fleatroit from 11am-6pm at the next-door Majestic Theatre.

Garden Bowl marks 80 years with Zainea family

The historic bowling alley is marking the milestone with a weekend of festivities.

Street view of a red storefront with a gold lattice facade and a large red cursive sign. A blue circular sign reads "The Majestic Theatre Center." Another sign reads "Garden Bowl" in giant letters. Bright blue sky with a few clouds; outdoor seating under awnings.

The Garden Bowl on Woodward Avenue. Photo: Annalise Frank/Axios

Woodward Avenue&#x27;s Garden Bowl bowling alley has been under three generations of family ownership over eight decades.The big picture: Throughout this weekend, the Zainea family is hosting events and specials to commemorate 80 years with the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Garden Bowl" data-vars-click-url="https://www.majesticdetroit.com/garden-bowl" data-vars-content-id="f5ffdf37-b432-4e5d-89ab-22cb50d6d4c1" data-vars-headline="Garden Bowl marks 80 years with Zainea family" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.majesticdetroit.com/garden-bowl" target="_blank">Garden Bowl</a> — among the country&#x27;s oldest continually operating bowling alleys.

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