How to Store Bananas

Half the world eats bananas raw and sweet, while the other half cooks it as a starchy vegetable. Whichever way you choose to partake of this tropical fruit, careful storage can make bananas all the more enjoyable.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Leave bananas in a closed paper bag at room temperature if they are not yet ripe.

2. Place an apple in the bag to speed ripening. The apple gives off ethylene gas, which causes fruit to ripen.

3. Once bananas become ripe - that is, yellow in color, speckled with a bit of brown - put them in your refrigerator, preferably at a temperature of about 50F (10C).

4. Store for no more than 2 weeks.

5. Once cut, sprinkle with citrus juice to stop them from browning too quickly.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid refrigerating unripe bananas, as they will never ripen.
• Mash and freeze ripe bananas, in one-cup portions, or freeze whole, peeled bananas in plastic bags, for use in later baking.

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[purpledaisy]

on 2/17/2008 2-17-08 I just started using "Debbie Meyer Green Bags", so far I like how they keep fruits & vegetables fresh longer. They also do a good job keeping lettuce from turning brown. Lelia, long time homemaker!

[Gingerella]

on 5/23/2007 Place bananas in a small cooler in a paper bag. Put blue ice in the cooler with them to keep them from ripening too fast.

[sidelinz1]

on 1/12/2007 I dont like my banana too ripe so I store them in the frig. to prolong the ripening process. Is there any Harm in storing them in the frig.

[Bill-bo]

on 11/2/2006 This is a question about the little buggs that seem to come from the peals of bananas. Is there a way to keep this from happening ? If we store them in the frige the bananas loose texture and taste. Is there a substance one can put on the peal to keep this from happening ??
Bill-bo

on 11/22/2005 Never refrigerate bananas or tomatoes. These items will lose flavor if refrigerated.