How to Make Bananas Ripen Quicker

Learn how to make bananas ripen faster.

Bananas are a good source of vitamin C, fiber and one of the best sources of potassium. Potassium is an essential mineral for maintaining heart function and blood pressure. Eating two bananas a day can reduce blood pressure by 10 percent, according to a study at Kasturba Medical College in India. Bananas that are a green color will take longer to ripen than those with more yellow. A banana is fully ripe once it turns completely yellow. You can speed up the ripening process so you can enjoy their sweet taste sooner.

Things You'll Need

• Paper bag
• Apple

Instructions

1. Place the unripe bananas and apple inside a paper bag. Close the bag tightly to prevent air from entering.

2. Check the bananas after 24 hours to see if they've turned completely yellow. It may take another day or two for the bananas to fully ripen.

3. Remove the bananas from the paper bag. Put them in the refrigerator to stop the process and prevent them from over-ripening.

Tips & Warnings

• If the bananas are completely green, wrap them in a damp dishtowel before placing them inside the paper bag.

References

• Food Network: How Do You Ripen Bananas Quickly?
• House Into Home: How to Ripen Avocados and Bananas Quickly
• Eat This!: How to Ripen Bananas Quickly
• Reader's Digest: Easy Ways to Ripen Fruit
• Kasturba Medical College: Bananas Effective in Lowering Blood Pressure

Resources

• Banana Saver: Banana Facts
• BBC News: Two Bananas a Day Keep Blood Pressure at Bay