How to keep bananas fresh longer with one simple hack
Bananas can be challenging to store because they quickly transition from green and unripe to soft and covered in dark spots. However, there is a simple way to extend their freshness.
Bananas can be troublesome in the kitchen. They are often too green and then turn brown and overripe shortly after. The issue lies with ethylene, a gas emitted by banana stems that accelerates ripening, enhances flavor, and shortens shelf life. Most fruits emit ethylene, but an excess of this gas speeds up the ripening and spoilage of other nearby products, making proper storage crucial.
A simple way to extend banana freshness
Understanding bananas' sensitivity to ethylene led one life hack enthusiast to propose a simple solution. He recommends isolating bananas from other fruits and wrapping their stems with plastic wrap to extend their freshness. On his YouTube channel, Helpful DIY, he demonstrated how plastic wrap can "keep bananas fresh for longer."
I'm showing how to keep bananas fresh for a longer time. This simple trick will allow you to enjoy the freshness of bananas for a few more days! - he wrote in the video description.
How does it work?
When you want a banana, use a knife to cut one off without removing the plastic wrap. Like many fruits, bananas naturally emit ethylene, which controls browning and ripening. Most of the gas escapes from the stems or tops, so wrapping them with plastic wrap can somewhat slow down the ripening process.
Users in the comments shared their opinions on this trick. @kepler186f4 wrote: "It works. I've been using this technique for years." @am-km8zg noted: "It's important to wrap it tightly and not forget about it." @larissadean84 commented: "I wrap the banana stems with plastic wrap, and when they ripen, I put them in the refrigerator. The skins turn brown, but the fruit never does. This way, they last about 17 days."
