Biography
A lawyer, Banny served as Minister of Defense for Côte d'Ivoire from its independence in 1960 to 1963. There was discontent in the army, as the generals stirred following his arrest and Houphouët-Boigny had to intervene personally to sedate the army. Banny, who personally knew Houphouët-Boigny from childhood, was pardoned and released in 1967. Described as a ''delice d'ananas petillant,'' French for sparkling pineapple delight, it is popularly called pineapple champagne. Banny claimed the idea "came to [him when he thought] to make a wine from pineapples" and was named after his granddaughter Cristel. He also proposed an alcoholic version of the drink. ==Notes==