Best Way to Keep Bananas Fresh

Ripe bananas

Bananas are one of the most popular fruits. They're tasty and loaded with health benefits. Bananas are loaded with potassium which helps control blood pressure, and they also have an antacid effect which protects the stomach from ulcers. Bananas can be found in almost any grocery store at any time of year. If you stock up on bananas how do you keep them fresh? How do you get the longest shelf life out of them while retaining their flavor? There are a few simple steps you can take to keep this favorite fruit at its peak.

Things You'll Need

• Fruit bowl or banana hanger
• Plastic storage bag
• Paper bag

Instructions

1. 

   Use proper storage techniques. The best thing to do for bananas is to keep them out in room temperature, away from high heat or direct sunlight, in a fruit bowl or on a banana hanger. Bananas will stay fresh for at least a week this way. If you have eaten only part of the banana and want to keep the rest, wrap the open end back up in its skin and seal it in a plastic bag. You can store it in the refrigerator and it will keep for several more days.

2. 

   Speed up the ripening process. Since everyone has a different opinion on when a banana is "ripe" and tasty there are things you can do to speed the ripening process. If you bought green bananas from the store and would like them to ripen sooner, place the bananas in a paper bag for 2 to 3 days. This will speed up the ripening process. The skin may still appear green but the flesh of the fruit will be soft and sweet.

3. Store in the refrigerator. Once a banana has reached its peak of ripeness, you can also keep them that way by putting them in the refrigerator. The skin may turn dark brown, but the fruit itself will remain ripe and sweet for 3 days longer.

4. Freeze for baking. If you find your bananas have ripened and you will not be able to use them at their peak, take them as they are and throw them in the freezer. The flesh will turn brown/black, but the banana will retain its sweet flavor. Bananas stored like this are best for cooking and baking once they thaw out, as they will be mushy.

Tips & Warnings

• It is best to buy bananas when they are still slightly green, as they are firmer and will resist bruising during your trip from the market to your home.

• When you buy bananas make sure they have all of the stem on them, as a removed stem can cause them to decay before they ripen.

Resources

• More information on the health benefits of bananas and more storage tips.