We all know and love bananas as a movable food that is high in potassium, but they can be unpleasant. It’s possible for them to get bruised or develop too quickly or not fast enough.
Bananas have their own schedule, and we’re just going with it.
That being said, there are ways to store bananas that will help you control how quickly they ripen and keep them fresh and tasty for longer. Read on to learn how to keep bananas fresh.
How to Store Bananas
Bananas can stay on your desk for two to six days, depending on how ripe they were when you bought them. If you always have bananas on hand, you should get a case with a hook. When bananas are hung, they don’t get bruised like they do when they’re lying on top of each other. Also, keep the fruits out of direct sunshine as much as possible. The sun’s heat can make the fruits bloom quickly.
Like many other foods, bananas can last longer if they are frozen or put in the fridge. But if things get out of hand and you come home to a counter full of burnt bananas, there’s only one thing to do: make banana bread.
How to Store Sliced Bananas
Since banana slices turn brown quickly, it’s best to wait to cut them until you’re ready to eat. Sprinkle them with a little lemon juice, though, and the pH will drop. This will keep them from turning brown.
Put them in the fridge with the lemon trick in mind. You can do this by wrapping them in plastic wrap or putting them in a food storage jar or bag that won’t let air in. Banana slices can stay fresh for three to four days if they are kept this way.
Can You Store Bananas in the Fridge?
In fact, you can store bananas in the fridge. Just remember that the cool, dry weather slows down the ripening process, which is why store bananas aren’t kept in the fridge. This means that green, young bananas will probably stay that way if you put them in the fridge.
Putting a banana in the fridge before it’s ready can also ruin the fruit. This is called “chilling injury,” and it stops the fruit from developing and makes it taste bitter.
Can You Freeze Bananas?
Bananas can be frozen, and you should! Put frozen bananas in a blender and mix until smooth and creamy. This is great as the base for a drink or on its own as a banana ice cream.
Only make sure your bananas are fully ripe before you freeze them, because the freezer’s cold will stop the bananas from ripening. To make the bananas easy to use when you’re ready to use them, peel and slice them before you freeze them.
Spread the banana slices out on a baking sheet or tray lined with parchment paper and freeze them. It won’t take long for them to freeze. Once they are, put them in a closed container or plastic bag. This step isn’t really necessary, but it will keep the banana slices from sticking together and turning into a mass.
We recommend writing the date and the number of bananas inside on the container so that you can easily find that information when you want the fruit.
FAQs:
- FAQ: How should I store bananas to prevent them from turning brown?
- Short Answer: Store bananas at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Keep them separate from other fruits, as bananas release ethylene gas, which can accelerate ripening.
- FAQ: Can I use any special techniques to prolong the freshness of bananas?
- Short Answer: Yes, wrapping the stem ends of bananas with plastic wrap can slow down the ripening process by reducing ethylene exposure.