How to keep bananas fresh for longer: Try this simple kitchen hack to keep them fresh for longer

Bananas are a popular snack because they are naturally sweet and relatively low in calories. However, they also have a short shelf life, which means they can quickly become overripe if they are not eaten in time.

When you buy a bunch from the supermarket, some bananas may start turning brown before you get a chance to eat them. At room temperature, bananas generally last around two to six days, depending on how ripe they are when purchased.

Once bananas become fully ripe, they can start browning quickly, and their texture and taste may deteriorate within a few days. Warmer temperatures can also speed up the ripening process.

Tin Foil Can Help Slow Down Ripening

There is a simple kitchen hack that may help bananas stay fresh for longer — and it only requires some tin foil.

Wrapping tin foil around the stem of a banana can help slow down the release of ethylene gas. This is a natural plant hormone that plays an important role in triggering and speeding up the ripening process.

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Why Does Ethylene Gas Matter?

Ethylene causes the starches in bananas to change into sugars and helps break down the fruit's cell walls. This leads to the familiar changes in colour, softness and sweetness as bananas ripen.

Green bananas gradually turn yellow and sweeter, while ripe yellow bananas eventually begin to develop brown spots.

Since banana stems are a major source of ethylene release, covering them with tin foil may help reduce the amount of gas reaching the fruit. This can slow the ripening process and help bananas remain fresh for a little longer.

Keep Bananas Away From Other Fruits

After wrapping the banana stems, it is also a good idea to store bananas separately from other fruits.

Ethylene released by bananas can affect nearby fruits and make them ripen faster. Apples, pears and passion fruit are among the fruits that can respond to ethylene, while citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are generally less affected.

Keeping bananas separate can therefore help prevent other fruits from becoming overripe too quickly.

Use A Banana Hook To Prevent Bruising

Experts also recommend hanging bananas on a banana hook. This keeps the fruit separate from other produce and can reduce bruising caused by bananas resting against a kitchen worktop or other surfaces.

Combining a banana hook with stem wrapping can be a simple way to protect bananas from bruising and slow down the ripening process, helping reduce unnecessary food waste.