Bananas will taste 'amazing' months after buying them with expert storage tip
Bananas are wallet-friendly and versatile, earning their spot as a kitchen staple, yet their brief shelf life often leaves us frustrated. The delicate yellow fruit usually takes pride of place in the fruit bowl for a few days, but when left too long, bananas transform into an unappetizing brown mess.
Food waste expert Kate Hall has developed a clever trick for keeping bananas fresh for months using your freezer. But her preservation method isn't what you'd expect.
During her stint on the Channel 5 show Fresh Vs Frozen: Which is Better? Kate revealed the "split" technique she uses to preserve bananas for extended periods.
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Kate said: "When we stop and think about how far a banana, for example, has travelled - the land, the water, the energy, the transportation, the packaging, everything that has gone into that piece of food - that we're letting go of... into the bin has an enormous impact on our planet."
The food waste expert noted that whilst popping a whole banana in the freezer is doable, "it does turn black and look rather disgusting when you defrost it".
Instead of recommending chopping the banana into round slices for freezing, Kate suggested a different tactic: splitting it.
She explained: "You can just slice it on the tray but also, if you pop your finger into the end of the banana, it will separate into three fingers and then they are just amazing dipped in chocolate."
Bananas can be safely frozen for up to six months; though they are best consumed within the first two to three months. Despite being safe to eat, bananas left in freezing conditions for extended periods may develop freezer burn reports the Express.
Storing Kate's split chocolate bananas is straightforward. Line a baking tray or freezer drawer with greaseproof paper and arrange the three "fingers" flat-side up.
Melt your preferred chocolate in a bowl (either over simmering water or in the microwave), then drizzle or spoon it onto the flat side of the bananas.
Allow them to cool slightly before placing the bananas in the freezer unwrapped (leaving them on the baking paper).
Once set, move the bananas to an airtight container or ziplock bag - this step is crucial to minimise freezer burn. The bananas can then be stored in the freezer for several months.
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