Bananas Can Last Longer With One Simple Kitchen Item
If you’re looking for the viral kitchen tip: plastic wrap can help bananas stay yellow longer.
Bananas naturally produce ethylene gas, a plant hormone that speeds ripening. Much of that gas is released around the stem. Wrapping the banana stems/crown tightly with plastic wrap can reduce ethylene exposure and slow ripening.
How to try it
- Separate the bananas from the bunch if you want them to ripen more slowly.
- Wrap the stems/crown with a small piece of plastic wrap.
- Keep the bananas somewhere cool, dry, and away from direct sunlight.
- Once bananas are ripe, you can refrigerate them. The peel may turn brown or black, but the fruit inside can remain good for several days longer.
Will they really last 10 days longer?
Not necessarily. “10 days longer” is not a guarantee. How long bananas last depends on their ripeness when purchased, temperature, humidity, variety, and handling. Stem wrapping may slow ripening, but it won’t prevent it indefinitely.
And if you’re trying to keep bananas fresh, a fruit bowl isn’t inherently bad—the main issue is warm conditions and exposure to ethylene-producing fruits such as apples and pears.
Best simple tip: If you want bananas to ripen more slowly,cover the stems and keep them in a cool location.
