Many people store bananas in the refrigerator just like they do with other fruits. Still, this method needs to be corrected because the surface of bananas contains enzymes that oxidize and rot quickly at low temperatures.
Below is a way to preserve bananas, which can be kept outside for a week, remain fresh, and not turn black.
Factors affecting the ripening process of bananas
Temperature
The respiration rate of fruit depends on the ambient temperature, so when the environmental temperature rises, the respiration rate of bananas also increases, causing the bananas to ripen more quickly.
Therefore, you should store ripe bananas in an excellent place to slow their ripening process.
Humidity
Low environmental humidity affects the rate of water evaporation from bananas, making them prone to dehydration and wilting. Therefore, you should store bananas in a high-humidity area to keep them fresh.
The ripeness level of bananas
Buying bananas that are already too ripe will spoil if you wait to eat them. Therefore, you should choose bunches of bananas that are moderately ripe so that you can preserve them for a longer time.
Ethylene
Ethylene is a hormone produced within the fruit, stimulating the ripening process. Therefore, you should not store unripe bananas close to ripe ones, as the ethylene concentration will increase, causing the green bananas to ripen quickly.
Why should bananas not be stored in the refrigerator?
Phenolic compounds and polyphenol oxidase are abundant in banana peels. Storing bananas in the refrigerator at temperatures of 4 – 8 degrees Celsius causes these substances to transform into melanin, turning the banana peel black. This process leads to spoilage, freezing, and decay of the peel.
This affects the flavor and nutrients inside the banana, which can hurt your health.
How to preserve ripe bananas
Use zip bags, plastic wrap, or newspaper to package it up.
- Method 1: Put the bananas in ziplock bags and place them in the refrigerator at about 3 degrees Celsius. With this method, you should use the bananas within 3-4 days to maintain their quality.
- Method 2: When the bananas start turning yellow and have black spots on the skin, you can wrap the stem end with plastic wrap. This method will help keep the bananas fresh for an additional week.
- Method 3: Another technique is to wrap each banana in newspaper individually, put each banana in a ziplock bag, or wrap each banana with plastic wrap and then store them in the refrigerator. The newspaper wrapping method will keep the bananas fresh for 6-8 days.
Note: Ripe bananas should be used immediately after taking them out of the refrigerator because they will quickly turn brown and become mushy if not consumed promptly.
Frozen bananas
Frozen bananas are also a valuable way of preserving bananas; depending on how you plan to use them, you can freeze peeled bananas or keep them with the peel intact.
If your bananas are already peeled, arrange them apart from each other on a lined baking sheet and place them in the freezer compartment. Alternatively, place the bananas in a food storage container, close the lid tightly, and put it in the freezer.
Place bananas with the peel intact in a ziplock bag and then into the freezer.
Frozen peeled bananas can be stored for 3-4 months, while bananas with the peel intact can be kept for about two months.
Store ripe, peeled bananas
Once the bananas are ripe and peeled, you can slice them thinly and arrange them evenly on a baking tray or a small plate. Then, put the tray in the freezer for about 2 hours.
Afterward, take the tray of bananas out and transfer them into a container with a lid. Store the container in the freezer compartment; this method will help preserve the bananas for up to 3 months without spoilage.
How to store bananas to last a whole week
Step 1: Prepare a clean bowl. Add a tablespoon of salt and 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda into the bowl, then stir well until dissolved.
Step 2:
- Place the bananas in the bowl.
- Submerge them in the water for 5-10 minutes.
- Gently wash them with your hands.
This step is crucial because most banana surfaces contain ripening agents. Failing to wash them thoroughly may cause the bananas to ripen quickly, regardless of their position.
Washing the bananas with salt and baking soda water will clean the ripening substances and reduce the residue of pesticides. However, this method does not apply to bananas with cracked skin. Those bananas should be consumed immediately and cannot be soaked in water.
Step 3: Rinse the bananas with water. Then, use a clean cloth to dry the water off the surface of the fruit. If the bananas are not dried properly, they may spoil faster. Wrap the stem of the bananas tightly with plastic wrap or parchment paper. Note that only the stem should be wrapped, not the fruit itself. The stem releases the most ethylene gas, accelerating banana ripening.
Step 4: Find a banana hanger or a high place to store the bananas. If placed on the ground or a table, the bananas at the bottom may be squished by those above, leading to damage. Hanging the bananas up high will prevent this situation. If you don’t want to hang them, you can also place them upside down in a fruit bowl to prevent them from pressing against each other.
There is no need to refrigerate the bananas after wrapping them in plastic wrap. Just place or hang them directly in a well-ventilated and dry area, avoiding direct sunlight, and they can be stored for up to a week.
How to store bananas without bruising
You can preserve bananas from getting soft by freezing them. Frozen bananas may turn black on the outside, but the flesh inside will remain intact and not become weak.
To do this, you can place unpeeled bananas in a ziplock bag or arrange peeled bananas on a non-stick baking sheet lined with parchment paper and then put them in the freezer compartment of your refrigerator. This method prevents the bananas from becoming soft and allows you to preserve them for 2-4 months.
How to store green bananas until they ripen.
When ethylene stimulates ripening, it is released through the banana stem. Therefore, to preserve green bananas for a longer time until they ripen, you should separate each banana and wrap them individually with food wrap to prevent ethylene gas from escaping and ripening the bananas.
How to store boiled bananas
You can store ripe boiled bananas by placing them in the refrigerator. Boiled bananas stored in the fridge will taste better and have a softer texture.
This method will help you preserve boiled bananas for 2-3 days.
Some notes when storing ripe bananas in the refrigerator.
- It would help if you did not put ripe bananas directly into the refrigerator because the low temperature will cause the bananas to have darkened skins.
- It would help if you did not put ripening bananas into the refrigerator too early because it will result in unripe flesh while the skin has already turned black.
- You can use lemon juice or dip the banana peel to prevent the skin from turning black.
- Do not place bananas next to ripening fruits and vegetables, as the ethylene gas they emit will accelerate the ripening process of bananas.
Here is a compilation of simple ways to preserve ripe bananas that Farm to Palms sent you. Hopefully, this article will provide helpful information to preserve bananas better!