Bananas are one of the most wasted fruits in UK households, with many people tossing them out as they quickly ripen and turn brown.
While they’re great for making a delicious loaf of banana bread when they get to this stage, they’re not so great for enjoying as a snack or as a topping for yoghurt or porridge.
But according to waste management specialists Wheeldon Brothers, a simple trick can keep bananas fresh for up to 14 days – and it’s so easy to do.
In a bid to help families reduce waste and save money, the pros have shared some valuable advice on how to make your fresh produce last longer.
And to keep your bananas ripe, all you’ll need is one very common kitchen staple that you’ve probably already got on your countertop.
Bananas naturally release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening and leads to those black spots appearing.
However, you can temporarily halt this process using one popular kitchen item – aluminium foil.
“Wrapping the stems in foil slows this process significantly,” explained a waste management expert at Wheeldon Brothers.
“Once they’re fully ripe, putting them in the fridge stops them from ripening further – without affecting the quality of the fruit.”
The trick, originally shared on social media, only works after bananas are fully ripe. Storing unripe bananas in the fridge can negatively impact their taste and texture.
One common concern is that bananas turn brown in the fridge – but experts clarify that this only affects the peel, with the fruit inside stays fresh and firm.
“The brown skin often makes people think the bananas have gone bad,” said the expert. “But the inside stays delicious. This is an easy way to cut down on food waste and get the most out of your groceries.”
To further extend the lifespan of your bananas, you should also take them out of the plastic packaging they came in, as this environment traps the ethylene gas inside.
The best way to keep bananas yellow for longer is to store them alone somewhere cool and dark such as a cupboard or kitchen drawer.
Keeping them away from other fruits such as apples is also crucial. A lot of fresh produce releases this ethylene gas, which is a natural substance that ripens produce to make it more flavourful – but too much fruit stored together will also spoil it quicker.
