The Best Ways To Keep Bananas From Turning Brown Too Quickly
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It’s a familiar situation: you buy a bunch of bananas, and just a few days later, they’ve already turned brown. Bananas tend to ripen quickly, which can be frustrating as it impacts both their taste and texture. If you’re looking for ways to slow down the browning process, we’ve got a few solutions for you. Here are a few tips to try.
Separate the Bananas
As bananas ripen, they emit a significant amount of ethylene gas, which accelerates the ripening process. To slow this down, it’s a good idea to keep the bananas separated from each other to reduce their exposure to the gas.
Keep Bananas Separate from Other Ethylene-Producing Fruits
Fruits like apricots, apples, pears, avocados, kiwi, peaches, peppers, and tomatoes release ethylene gas as they ripen, which can speed up the ripening of nearby bananas. Since some fruits and vegetables are more sensitive to ethylene than others, it’s best to store bananas away from these items. By keeping them out of the fruit bowl and at a distance from ethylene-producing fruits, you can help slow down their ripening process.
Limit Sunlight Exposure
Direct sunlight speeds up the ripening process of bananas. To slow this down, keep your bananas out of the sun unless you plan to eat them soon. Reducing their exposure to sunlight will help them stay fresh longer.
Optimal Storage Temperature
The best temperature for storing bananas is around 54°F (12°C). If stored in cooler conditions, the ripening process will halt, and the peel may turn black. On the other hand, warmer temperatures will cause bananas to ripen too quickly. Aim for a balanced temperature to keep your bananas from browning too fast.
Hang Your Bananas
Hanging your bananas is one of the best ways to store them. By keeping them off surfaces, you prevent unnecessary bruising that can lead to faster ripening. Bananas stored in the open air, ideally hung from a hook or banana hanger, are less likely to develop pressure spots that can cause them to brown quickly. It’s also important not to store bananas in bags or airtight containers, as this traps ethylene gas, speeding up the ripening process. Hanging your bananas allows for better air circulation and helps them stay fresher for longer.
Avoid Storing Bananas in the Fridge
Bananas should never be stored in the fridge, especially when they’re still unripe. While refrigeration can extend the shelf life of some fruits, it has the opposite effect on bananas. Cold temperatures halt the ripening process, leaving the peel blackened while the fruit inside remains under-ripe. The only exception is when your bananas are fully ripe—at that point, you can refrigerate them to keep them fresh a little longer, especially if you plan to use them in recipes like banana bread.
Wrap Plastic Around the Stem
It may seem like an old-school trick, but wrapping plastic wrap around the crown of your bananas can actually slow down the ripening process. Since ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening, is primarily released from the stems where the bananas are attached, covering this area helps reduce the gas’s effect on the rest of the fruit. Give it a try to keep your bananas fresher for longer!
Use Lemon or Lime juice
If your banana is already peeled, applying lemon or lime juice can help slow the browning process. The citric acid acts as a barrier, protecting the fruit’s flesh from exposure to air and delaying oxidation. You can use either freshly squeezed juice or a store-bought version for this simple solution.
Orange Juice
Like lemon and lime juice, orange juice is an acidic option that helps slow down browning (if your banana is already peeled). It not only prevents the banana from darkening, but it also adds a bright, citrusy flavor to the fruit.
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