The little-known food storage hack that keeps bananas fresh for 2 weeks
The fruit releases ethylene gas that speeds up the ripening.
Bananas are one of the most common household items in the kitchen. While tthey are popular on kitchen tables, they tend to ripen and turn brown very quickly.
UK households choose to story banas in fruit bowls or in fridges. Typically, the fruit releases ethylene gas that accelerates the ripening process. However, waste management specialists Wheeldon Brothers claimed that a simple trick can keep bananas fresh for up to 14 days, helping families reduce waste and save money at a time when food prices have been soaring in supermarkets.
They said: "Wrapping the stems in foil slows this process significantly.
"Once they’re fully ripe, putting them in the fridge stops them from ripening further – without affecting the quality of the fruit."
The trick, originally shared on social media, only works after bananas are fully ripe. Storing unripe bananas in the fridge can negatively impact their taste and texture.
Storing bananas in the fridge causes their peel to darken or turn brown, as the cold temperature slows the ripening process while impacting the skin's pigmentation.
However, this change is purely cosmetic - the fruit inside stays fresh, firm, and completely edible for a longer time.
Experts suggest refrigerating ripe bananas to prolong their shelf life, even if the peel changes colour.
Don't miss: Gardeners urged to put milk bottles in their garden
Don't miss: Air fryer users urged to avoid mistake that could cost you £80,000
Don't miss: Gardeners urged to use 'game changer' rust removal tip
They added: "The brown skin often makes people think the bananas have gone bad, but the inside stays delicious. This is an easy way to cut down on food waste and get the most out of your groceries."
Many people throw away bananas as soon as they become overripe, adding to the issue of food waste. Food waste is a significant problem in the UK, where households discard millions of tonnes of food each year, including large quantities of fruit.
This not only affects household budgets but also contributes to environmental concerns, such as higher carbon emissions and wasted resources like water, land, and energy used in food production.
Minimising banana waste can be done through proper storage, using overripe bananas in recipes, or freezing them for future use.
Experts suggest adopting these simple strategies can help reduce food waste and make a positive environmental impact.
The experts added: "This simple hack is a great example of how small changes can help families save money and reduce waste.
"By rethinking how we store everyday foods like bananas, we can all do our part in making life more sustainable."
