Bananas are the most popular fruit that people enjoy as a simple meal substitute. They are easy to eat and rich in dietary fiber, providing a great sense of fullness. They also have the advantage of quickly replenishing energy, making them perfect for satisfying hunger before or after exercise.
The problem is maintaining freshness. When you buy a bunch of bananas, many of them often turn too black. So, how can you keep them for a longer time? Is it true that storing bananas in the refrigerator makes them spoil faster?
If the skin of the bananas you bought has a green tint, leave them at room temperature for now. This is because putting them in the refrigerator stops the ripening process, preventing them from becoming sweet. If they are ripe and ready to eat, you can put them in the refrigerator. Although there is a saying that they spoil faster in the refrigerator, this is not true.
When you put tropical fruits like bananas in a cool place like a refrigerator, low-temperature damage occurs. The low temperature destroys the cell walls of the skin, causing enzymes to react with oxygen and resulting in browning. On the other hand, the flesh inside the skin stays fresh for a longer time.
If you want to keep bananas fresh for a longer time, cut both ends of the banana. This area releases ethylene gas, which promotes banana ripening. Ethylene gas is especially released from the stem. The stem side is called the stem, and the pointed end at the bottom is called the flower end.
Also, if you store bananas as a bunch, the ethylene gas released from each banana affects each other, speeding up the ripening process. Therefore, to keep them longer, you should separate the bananas, cut both ends, and wrap them in plastic wrap or disposable paper towels.
Individually wrapped bananas can be left at room temperature or placed in the refrigerator. If you dislike the browning of the skin, you can leave them at room temperature. If you have fewer family members and need to store them longer, it is recommended to keep them in an airtight container or a zip bag in the refrigerator.
