Proper storage is the key to keeping fruits and veggies fresh longer, which in turn saves you lots of money. While some produce is best stored in the refrigerator, other has longer shelf life on the kitchen counter.
When it comes to storing bananas, you can easily slow down the ripening process using a simple home trick.
First, if you want your bananas to last longer, never choose ripe ones because the greener the bananas, the longer their shelf life is.
What to do?
1. After buying green bananas, wrap some plastic foil around the crown of the banana bunch and store it on the kitchen counter.
2. But, if you want your bananas to last as long as possible, the real key is to separate them and then wrap each individual stem with plastic wrap.
Why does this trick work?
Bananas grow in a bunch, are sold in a bunch and are usually stored in a bunch. The bunch storage method will cause the bananas to spoil in a bunch because bananas, like many fruits, release ethylene gas naturally, which controls enzymatic browning and ripening of not just itself, but other fruits nearby. When bananas are stored in a bunch, the first bananas to turn brown will cause all the others in the bunch to turn brown too. Much of this takes place at the stem or the crown of the banana. By wrapping the crown of a bunch, you slow down the ripening process a bit, but if you separate them apart and wrap each one individually in plastic foil as soon they are purchased, not allowing the touch one another, you will get the most of their shelf life.
What to do with overripe bananas?
Even if you have some overripe bananas at home, don’t throw them away. Instead, use them to make a tasty treat from banana muffins and banana cake to banana fritters and banana desserts.
Picture source: LifeHacker
