Wrapping stems to extend banana freshness: A simple trick
Storing bananas can be challenging, as they often transition quickly from green and unripe to soft and covered in dark spots. However, there's a simple method for extending their freshness.
Bananas can be problematic in the kitchen. They tend to be either too green or brown and overripe shortly after. The issue lies with ethylene, a gas emitted by banana stems that accelerates ripening, enhances flavour, and shortens their shelf life. While most fruits emit ethylene, an excess can speed up ripening and spoil nearby produce, making proper storage essential.
A simple way to extend the freshness of bananas
Understanding bananas' sensitivity to ethylene, one life-hack enthusiast suggested a straightforward solution. He recommends isolating bananas from other fruits and wrapping their stems with plastic wrap to keep them fresh longer. On his YouTube channel, Helpful DIY, he demonstrated how plastic wrap can "keep bananas fresh for longer."
I show how to keep bananas fresh for a longer time. This simple trick will let you enjoy fresh bananas for a few extra days! - he wrote in the video description.
How does it work?
When you want to take a banana, use a knife to cut one off without removing the plastic wrap. As mentioned earlier, like many fruits, bananas naturally emit ethylene, influencing browning and ripening. Most of the gas escapes from the stems or stalks, so wrapping them in plastic can slow down the ripening process.
Users in the comments shared their thoughts on this trick. @kepler186f4 wrote, "It works. I’ve been using this technique for years." @am-km8zg noted, "It's important to wrap it tightly and not forget about it." @larissadean84 commented, "I wrap the stems of bananas with plastic wrap, and once they ripen, I put them in the refrigerator. The peels become brown, but the fruit never does. This way, they last about two weeks."
