Genius food storage method means bananas stay fresh for '3 months'
Bananas, while full of goodness, can be tricky to store and quick to spoil. But smart shoppers have stumbled upon a trick to stop them rotting and keep the bananas usable for as long as three months.
With food costs skyrocketing and the pinch on purses getting tighter, this method could help you save money and cut down on those extra trips to the grocer. It's also a solid step towards cutting down on food waste, a mission that WRAP (The Waste and Resources Action Programme) champions. That's why they're sharing tips to keep your bananas fresh.
WRAP – which runs the Love Food Hate Waste initiative – suggests that by freezing bananas in a sealed bag or an airtight box, you can stave off spoilage for a whopping three months.
So when those banana skins begin to show spots and soften, don't bin them – peel and freeze them instead.
Frozen, these bananas become the star ingredient for smoothies, banana bread mixes, or a moreish healthy ice cream option, reports the Express.
Bear in mind that you should safely defrost them in the fridge, not at room temperature, to ensure they remain safe to consume.
WRAP saus: "Bananas can be frozen in a sealed bag or container for up to three months."
They also emphasise the need for safe defrosting, saying that after being taken out of the freezer "it's important to defrost it safely". WRAP recommends defrosting the banana in the fridge and using it "within 24 hours".
If time is short, put those bananas in your microwave's "defrost setting" to thaw them more quickly.
If you're not keen on freezing bananas, store them in "somewhere nice and cool, in a cupboard or on the side" for safekeeping.
But whatever you do, don't put bananas in the fridge unless you want them to turn brown at breakneck speed.
Why should you freeze bananas?
For a nice sweet treat, put some frozen bananas into the oven with a splash of honey for a toasty treat that'll have you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.
For the more adventurous, try tossing bananas into a vegetable curry or smash them into a sandwich filling.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Surprising habit warned to make you 'feel even hotter in a heatwave'
As the UK is hit by another heatwave, many Brits will be struggling to get a good night's sleep - but experts have warned that ditching your pyjamas might not help With Britain caught in the grip of another scorching heatwave, people are being cautioned that stripping off completely for bed might not actually help them stay cool. Whilst it appears sensible to wear as few clothes as possible, abandoning your nightwear could actually leave you feeling hotter than if you kept your pyjamas on. Sleep specialists from Winstons Beds have revealed the key reasons why sleeping in the buff might actually hamper your slumber rather than enhance it. The primary reason is that nightwear actually assists in drawing moisture away from your body and helps control your temperature. Stop ankles swelling in heatwave due to 'trapped fluid' with expert's six tips Weather maps show exactly when UK temperatures to plummet to a bitter 4C Heading to bed without clothes might also make you more vulnerable to shivers, especially if there's a draught or an unexpected temperature plunge, reports the Express. "Fewer clothes might mean less heat trapped against your skin, but it also means your body's natural cooling system - sweat - has nowhere to go," a spokesperson explained. "Without the absorbent barrier of lightweight sleepwear, sweat can pool on your skin, leaving you feeling sticky and uncomfortable. It also means bedding will get dirtier with sweat, body oils and other bodily fluids transferring to bed linen." Abandoning your nightclothes can also expose you to skin problems, particularly if you have delicate skin. Direct contact with bedding materials, especially if they are coarse or not very breathable, can trigger skin irritation. Clothing serves as a shield, minimising friction and safeguarding your skin. Pyjamas also offer protection against insect bites - particularly handy if you sleep with windows open during sweltering weather. If you're looking to beat the heat in bed, a top tip is to apply ice to your pulse points. By clutching a frozen water bottle between your thighs or against your neck, you can chill the blood flow beneath the skin. This cooled blood then circulates throughout your body, effectively reducing your overall body temperature.
Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
'Good value' portable neck fan is shoppers' 'favourite purchase' for heatwave
The handy gadget sits around the neck, blowing cold air and cooling down the body with shoppers applauding how it's comfortable and 'so quiet' Staying cool during a scorching UK summer isn't always straightforward, particularly when temperatures soar beyond 30 degrees. Switching on a fan is an excellent method to maintain a pleasant room temperature, but savvy buyers have discovered a clever trick to remain comfortable whilst on the go. The Morelax Portable Neck Fan might sound unusual, yet this ingenious gadget has accumulated outstanding reviews from Amazon customers, with numerous people amazed by its effectiveness. Currently discounted with prices beginning at £14.99, this practical device is essentially a fan that rests around the neck, delivering cool air and chilling the body. Enabling users to remain hands-free, they can move about completing activities such as housework, gardening, or popping to the shops, without fretting about becoming overheated and clammy, reports the Express. Beyond summer use, buyers say it's brilliant for those experiencing hot flushes. Handy teeth whitening gadget shoppers take on nights out that makes them 'so much whiter' Medik8 cream users say 'irons out lines' hailed 'best moisturiser ever tried' One satisfied customer commented: "Absolutely love it! So much so I bought two so I always have one fully charged. Experiencing heat surges in late perimenopause is tough going but this is making them so much more manageable. Click it on as soon as I feel a surge coming and it greatly reduces the severity. Well worth the money. Wouldn't be without it during this phase." The fan arrives in three shades - green, pink and white, and features three wind speed settings. Battery duration spans 4 to 16 hours, depending on the selected speed, and purchasers praise it for being comfortable and silent. Portable neck fan from £14.99 Amazon Shop Deal Product Description Another delighted customer discovered respite from the scorching temperatures, writing: "What a great product! No longer am I overcome by a sweaty face when walking, cooking or doing pretty much any activity in the summer heat! It's so quiet that it doesn't disturb anyone else. It's lightweight, comfortable to wear, easy to charge and one of my favourite purchases already.... after two days! Good value for money and does what it says it will." Meanwhile, someone else remarked: "This portable neck fan is a life saver. It's lightweight and comfortable, perfect for hot days in the UK as there is hardly any breeze. The fan has 3 speed settings, so you can adjust the airflow to your liking. The battery life is impressive, lasting for hours on a single charge. It's also quiet, so it won't disturb you with any jet noise. If you're looking for a convenient way to stay cool on the go, this portable neck fan is a must-have in this heatwave in the UK." A third shopper added: "Wow what a difference an excellent product, well made and oh so much quieter. It cools me down very quickly and especially when I am having hot flushes." Boots also carries a neck fan specially crafted for the menopause - the Menopause & Me Wearable Neck Fan costs £15.99 and buyers claim 'it keeps headaches and dizzy spells away'. Alternatively, Debenhams have slashed the price of the N25 USB Outdoor Portable Neck Cooling Mini Fan to £19.99 in a 20% off promotion. One user found the Amazon neck fan to be a bit of a squeeze, stating 'it's good don't get me wrong but not big enough for round my neck it's not wide enough for me - no good if you have a wide neck.' Yet another customer praised it as their current favourite, commenting: "Really happy with my neck fan best thing ever especially with the heatwave we have been having in the UK - it's comfortable to wear."
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Areas of UK put on 'high alert' over 'country's most dangerous spider'
The noble false widow is Britain's most venomous spider and often blamed for a growing number of bite incidents. Here are the six areas on high alert for the spider Six UK cities and countries are on high alert as venomous spiders begin to invade homes this August. Spider season is officially here, with reports of massive spiders sneaking into homes already circulating across the nation. Typically, spider season kicks off in late August as the warm weather begins to wane, but any day now, spiders will start appearing uninvited in our homes, a trend that's expected to continue until October. False widow spiders, known as the UK's most dangerous spider, are causing concern. The noble false widow, Britain's most venomous spider, is often blamed for an increasing number of bite incidents. While most bites are mild, some can lead to swelling, pain and, in rare instances, severe infection. In other news, Brits are told to never put one banned item in garden bins as you could face punishment. These spiders are commonly found in window corners, sheds, garages and undisturbed indoor spaces. They flourish in warm environments and are now widespread in parts of southern England, reports the Express. Steatoda bipunctata, also known as the rabbit hutch spider Steatoda grossa, also known as the cupboard spider Steatoda nobilis, also known as the noble false widow In one extreme case from Berkshire, personal trainer Ivan Savage nearly lost his life in 2023 after being bitten by a false widow in his home. He was hospitalised with sepsis and required emergency surgery after pest control found over 500 false widows inside the property. Although fatalities are extremely rare, a 60 year old woman in Hampshire died in 2014 after developing sepsis believed to be linked to a false widow bite - making it one of the UK's only confirmed fatal cases. Dr Tom Elwood, an arachnology expert at Quote My Wall, has warned that six UK areas are currently on 'high alert' for false widow spiders. These are: Bristol Essex Devon Kent London Norfolk He stated: "The spiders don't wait until autumn. They're already active now - and if you've got poorly maintained windows, you're giving them easy access." It's important to act immediately to prevent them from marking territory in your home given they are most active and visible from July to November. Don't worry if you're afraid of spiders; by following these simple instructions, you'll be keeping False Widow spiders and other insects far from you.
