Food storage hacks are essential for every household, ensuring kitchen ingredients stay fresh for longer. Bananas are notorious for quickly going bad, transitioning from slightly unripe to brown-spotted in a blink. Typically left in fruit bowls or on kitchen counters, these locations aren’t ideal for preserving bananas. However, a food storage expert has shared a brilliant hack to prevent bananas from browning, even after 26 days.
Traditional banana storage methods involve cling film, tinfoil, or a wet tissue wrapped around the stem. This innovative method, however, takes a different approach. Amy Cross, from the popular TikTok account @amycrosslegacy, known for sharing tips on buying, cleaning, and storing fruits and vegetables, demonstrates her jar technique to keep bananas fresh for extended periods. In her video, Amy chops a banana into three pieces, leaving the skin intact, and places them in a glass mason jar stored in the refrigerator.
The results are astounding. Twenty-six days later, the banana pieces retain their fresh appearance, with the skin remaining yellow and devoid of any browning. Amy explains, “The whole goal of putting the bananas in the jar was to see if I can get a cut banana to last 12 hours and it’s been 26 days.”
For those who prefer keeping their bananas whole, storing them in a cool, dark place is recommended. The ideal temperature for banana storage is 12 degrees Celsius. Temperatures below this can hinder ripening and cause the peel to blacken. Conversely, warmer temperatures accelerate ripening. Therefore, a warm kitchen isn’t the most suitable environment for storing bananas. Direct sunlight should also be avoided.
Once bananas reach peak ripeness, they can be stored in the freezer to prolong their lifespan beyond 26 days. For peeled bananas, a simple juice trick is helpful. Exposed to air, cut bananas quickly brown. Sprinkling lemon or pineapple juice on them prevents browning, making them ideal for fruit salads.
This clever jar method is a game-changer for anyone who loves bananas and wants to enjoy them longer. It’s a simple yet effective hack that can significantly reduce food waste and ensure fresh, delicious bananas for weeks to come.
