Bananas are a convenient and nutritious snack, but they present a challenge when it comes to keeping them fresh.
They ripen quickly on countertops, leading to overripe fruit and potential waste.
But a simple hack can improve their shelf life and preserve their flavour and texture.
All you need to do is separate individual bananas from the bunch and wrap the stem ends with plastic wrap.
By stopping the ripening process at the stem, bananas remain fresher for longer, giving consumers more time to enjoy them at optimal ripeness.
Gently break apart each banana from the bunch, ensuring that they remain intact and undamaged, separating them allows for better airflow and reduces the likelihood of one overripe banana hastening the ripening of its neighbours.
Take a small piece of plastic wrap – about the size of your palm – and wrap it tightly around the stem end of each banana.
Ensure a snug fit to create a seal that prevents ethylene gas from escaping and reaching the fruit.
DON’T MISS:
Air fryer stains are easy to remove with cleaning pro’s trusty homemade solution [INSIGHT]
Once wrapped, place the bananas in a fruit bowl or on a countertop away from direct sunlight.
Alternatively, hang them from a banana hanger or hook, keeping them elevated and allowing air to circulate freely around each banana.
With this hack in place, bananas can stay fresh and ripe for several days longer than usual.
Whether enjoyed as a quick snack, added to breakfast smoothies, or incorporated into baking recipes, these preserved bananas offer versatility and convenience.