How to Package Bananas

Bananas contain high levels of fructose, which speeds rotting.

Packaging bananas can be difficult because bananas go bad quickly. They have a high concentration of natural sugars, which makes them spoil much faster than any other kind of fruit. Though it is not possible to preserve bananas for long periods of time without the bananas going bad, there are several ways that you can package or store bananas to make them last a little longer.

Things You'll Need

• Lemon juice
• Airtight container
• Refrigerator

Instructions

1. Wait for the bananas to ripen. If the bananas still have a green tint, they are not ripe. Bananas are solidly yellow when ripe. There still might be green near the stem, but this is acceptable. They might have a few brown spots on the peel, but this also is normal, as long as the brown spots are not overly abundant.

2. Sprinkle lemon juice on the bananas if they are cut before storage. Though this will not help much, it will slow the rotting process, giving your bananas a few extra days of freshness.

3. Seal the bananas in an airtight container. A large plastic food container works best. If you do not have something comparable to this, instead use a large plastic bag that zips shut. This will prevent the banana from being exposed to outside materials such as bacteria or moisture that could speed the deterioration process.

4. Store the bananas in a refrigerator at around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. No matter how you package bananas, they cannot keep for longer than two weeks. This is due to the high sugar content.

References

• Bananas Web: How to Store and Select Bananas
• Dole: Bananas
• The Fun Times Guide: How To Store Bananas