You're storing bananas wrong - certain kitchen areas will ripen them faster

06 October 2023 , 14:57

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The way we store them might be the reason they are ripening so quickly (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

There's nothing more frustrating than going to eat a banana and realising it's gone brown.

Although bananas can still have multiple uses when they're overripe - for banana bread or even a smoothie, the way you're storing them could be as result of why they are turning brown and mushy so quickly.

As they are usually sold in clear bags in the supermarket to protect and keep them fresher for longer, you will most likely buy them green, allowing them to ripen at home.

However, did you know that storing them next to a warm stove or in direct sunlight will make them ripen a lot quicker than normal?

Experts at the fresh produce company Dole told the Express: "Bananas should be stored at around 12C, as they ripen quickly if they are too warm. A dark room without direct sunlight is ideal." Bananas have a short life as it is, and like other produce, bananas will go through a range of biochemical changes once they have been picked and harvested - and this is a reason they have such a short shelf-life in the supermarket, giving them a time restriction on their marketability."

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There's also another question everyone asks when it comes to bananas - do you keep them in a bunch, or are they best separated in a fruit bowl? Many people online have put this to the test, and the results found that almost every time, bananas in a bunch will ripen slower than those left individually.

The best way to keep bananas fresh and make them longer lasting is to keep them in a cool and dry area, away from direct sunlight, and to ensure they are well-ventilated. It's also good to note that storing bananas next to other fruits will result in the fruits ripening quicker than usual - this is due to the ethylene gas emitted from bananas.

The ethylene gas is emitted from the stem, so blocking this will also prevent the ripening process. If you wish to prolong the ripening further, evidence suggests wrapping the stems in tin foil, cling film or a damp paper towel will help to delay the bananas ripening.

Niamh Kirk