Bananas will last longer without going brown if stored with €2 kitchen item
However, there's a simple and budget-friendly way to extend their shelf life - and all it takes is a common kitchen item.
Most of us leave bananas sitting in a fruit bowl on the counter, but once they're ripe, they usually only last two to five days. Bananas naturally produce ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process - especially when they're near other fruit like apples and pears. However, wrapping the stems of the bananas in tin foil can slow this process down, Express reports.
According to food experts, the majority of ethylene gas is released from the stem. Wrapping that section with tin foil (or cling film, which works just as well) traps the gas, preventing it from circulating and causing the rest of the bunch to ripen too fast.
Food Republic explained: "Compared to other fruits and veggies, bananas are one of the biggest producers of ethylene gas, a natural chemical compound that promotes ripening. The majority of this gas is released through the exposed stem of the fruit, which allows a bunch of bananas to continue ripening even after it's picked from the tree.
"Wrapping the top of your bunch with aluminium helps to trap in some of the ethylene, so it won't escape into the atmosphere and touch the body of the bananas (or other produce you have sitting nearby, for that matter). This slows down browning and gives you more time to enjoy your bunch."
This trick is perfect for Irish households trying to reduce food waste - and both tin foil and cling film can be picked up for less than €2 in most supermarkets like Dunnes, Tesco or Aldi.
Food Republic also shared a few extra tips:
Keep bananas separate from other fruit: Especially apples, pears and passion fruit, which all respond to ethylene gas and will ripen faster if stored nearby.
Hang bananas if possible: Using a banana hook prevents bruising and limits contact with other surfaces, keeping them fresher even longer.
Use overripe bananas wisely: If some do go soft, they're still great for banana bread, pancakes or smoothies.
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