Bananas are a tasty, yet healthy snack, that you can slowly chip away at through the week, but if you don’t work your way through the bunch fast enough they can go mushy and end up being wasted.
According to waste management experts, bananas are one of the most wasted fruits in UK homes because they ripen and turn brown very quickly. The reason for this is due to the fruit producing ethylene gas – a natural chemical compound that promotes ripening. As it’s released it stimulates enzymes to break down starch into sugar, which gives bananas thei deliciously sweet taste. It also causes tissues in the fruit to soften as the cells break down, which then prompts the change in colour from green to yellow, and eventually brown, as it ripens.
But with some clever storage it’s possible to keep bananas fresh for up to two weeks longer – without compromising their sweetnesss – helping to reduce food waste and save some pennies.
Waste Management company Wheeldon Brothers says wrapping banana stems in tin foil helps to slow the release of ethylene gas, thereby slowing down the ripening process, and then placing them in the fridge once they’re ripe will make them last for up to two weeks.
An expert at the firm explains: “A simple trick can keep bananas fresh for up to 14 days, helping families reduce waste and save money. Bananas release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening. Wrapping the stems in foil slows this process significantly. Once they’re fully ripe, putting them in the fridge stops them from ripening further – without affecting the quality of the fruit.
But the storage hack will only work after bananas have fully ripened. If you put unripe bananas in the fridge, this can negatively impact their taste and texture.
Refrigeration won’t stop bananas from turning brown but experts say only the peel will be affected as the fruit inside will remain fresh and firm.
The expert adds: “The brown skin often makes people think the bananas have gone bad, but the inside stays delicious. This is an easy way to cut down on food waste and get the most out of your groceries.
“This simple hack is a great example of how small changes can help families save money and reduce waste. By rethinking how we store everyday foods like bananas, we can all do our part in making life more sustainable.”
