Banana Brilliance

Secret to Extending Banana Shelf Life

Tip and Trick for Optimal Freshness

I love bananas, and I buy a lot of them. I used them in my shakes, in my overnight oats, as snack, even for dog treats. But I struggle to keep them from turning mushy and brown on the inside before I get the chance to use them. So here is the best way to keep your bananas fresh for longer, depending on your use for them.

The Counter top:

The shortest shelf life of only 2-3 days and attracts fruit flies. This is best if you plan to use them right away and is ideal for baking or making smoothies. Keep in mind that the temperature and humidity in your kitchen are also a strong factors in speed up the process and do not slow down the bananas from ripening fast.

The Freezer:

This is helpful for using when making smoothies. I like to add two ice cubes to make my smoothie cold and to actually thicken, and a frozen banana takes care of that. However, no mater what freezer bag or airtight container you put them in, there is still a shelf life. Typically, frozen bananas can last for about 2-3 months. However, after a few months, frozen bananas might still be safe to eat, but they can start to lose their flavor and develop a freezer-burned taste.

The Fridge:

Keeping bananas intact and placing them in the fridge on a shelf prevents fruit flies and keeps the inside of the banana protected/preserved and extends their freshness. Keep in mind that the peel of refrigerated bananas may darken, but the fruit inside remains unaffected. When kept in the fridge the shelf life does depend on the initial ripeness you start with.

• Unripe Bananas: If bananas are still green or just starting to turn yellow, refrigeration can slow down the ripening process. They can last for over a week long.

• Ripe Bananas: If bananas are already ripe (fully yellow with some brown spots), placing them in the fridge can help to preserve their current state for a few more days. Expect them to stay good for 5-7 days.

So if the peel becomes overly dark but the banana inside is till firm and good, simply peel and enjoy the inner part.

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