Bananas are often left to sit in fruit bowls to be slowly chipped away at when you fancy a healthy snack, but if you don’t eat them fast enough they often end up going to waste.
Waste management experts say bananas are one of the most wasted fruits in UK homes because they ripen and turn brown very quickly. This is because the fruit produces ethylene gas – a natural chemical compound that promotes ripening. As this gas is released, it stimulates enzymes to break down starch into sugar, which gives bananas that delicious sweetness. It also causes tissues in the fruit to soften as the cells break down and prompts the change in colour from green to yellow, and eventually brown, as it ripens.
But experts say it is possible to keep bananas fresh for up to two weeks longer – without compromising their taste or quality – with one simple storage hack, helping to reduce food waste and save money.
According to Wheeldon Brothers, wrapping the stems of bananas in tin foil will slow the release of ethylene gas, thereby slowing down the ripening process, and if you place them in the fridge once they’re ripe, they will last even longer.
A waste management expert at the firm explains: “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.”