Bananas are a staple in many households, but do you know how to store them properly?
It turns out, the key to keeping bananas fresh is to avoid direct sunlight and heat. A cool, dry spot is ideal – around 58°F (14°C) is perfect. This will slow down the ripening process and keep your bananas yellow and ripe for longer.
If you’re looking for a more precise storage method, you can use a plastic bag that restricts the diffusion of respiratory gases. This creates a modified atmosphere that can help extend the shelf life of your bananas. However, be careful not to create an atmosphere that is too extreme, as this can trigger fermentation.
Breatheway Clearly Fresh bags are a good option for this type of storage. They’re available in a variety of sizes, so you can find one that’s right for your needs.
Bananas ripen quickly because they produce a lot of ethylene, a hormone that jumpstarts the ripening process. By controlling the temperature and exposure to ethylene, you can keep your bananas fresh for longer.
Here are some additional tips for storing bananas:
– Keep them away from other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene, such as apples and avocados.
– If your bananas are already starting to ripen, you can slow down the process by putting them in the refrigerator. However, this will eventually cause the bananas to turn black and unappetizing.
– If you want to speed up the ripening process, you can put your bananas in a paper bag with an apple or another ethylene-producing fruit.
