I bought a bunch of bananas on Monday and by Wednesday they were covered in brown spots. My neighbor showed me what she does, and mine last much longer now.
Why They Ripen So Fast
Bananas give off a natural gas called ethylene that speeds up ripening. Most of it comes from the stems, and it ripens the bananas next to them too.
Tricks That Help
- Wrap the stems in plastic wrap or foil to slow the gas.
- Separate them. Bananas ripen faster in a bunch.
- Hang them on a banana hook so they don’t bruise.
- Keep them away from other fruit like apples and avocados, which also speed up ripening.
- Refrigerate ripe bananas. The peel turns dark, but the fruit inside stays good for a few more days.
When They Get Too Ripe
Don’t throw them out. Very ripe bananas are perfect for:
- Banana bread
- Pancakes and muffins
- Smoothies
- Freezing in slices for later
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze whole bananas?
Peel them first. Frozen peels are very hard to remove.
How do I ripen them faster?
Put them in a paper bag with an apple.
A little foil on the stems buys you a few more days.
