Keep your bananas ripe for up to 15 days longer with this super simple water trick (2024)

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Keep your bananas ripe for up to 15 days longer with this super simple water trick? ›

While many recommend wrapping banana stems in clingfilm, a “more effective” method is immersing the stems in water. An Express reader commented: “A simple and cheaper way of making bananas last longer is to immerse the stalk end in water. Ours keep for 10 to 14 days when stored like that.

All you need to do is dip their stems in water, and voilà - fresh 'nanas to last you an extra couple of weeks. Imagine it's like giving your bananas a little pool day.

Placing the banana in water prevents the collection of the gas in proximity to the banana as it dissipates in the water. Also the water can limit oxygen and microbial related deterioration of the fruit by limiting contact with them too.

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An Express reader commented: “A simple and cheaper way of making bananas last longer is to immerse the stalk end in water. Ours keep for 10 to 14 days when stored like that. Rather than the three or four days in a fruit bowl on their own or on a banana hook.”

“The ethylene gas is released from the stem of the banana, so to slow the impact of the gas and avoid them over-ripening too quickly, you can also wrap the stems in a plastic wrap or cling film.

Before refrigerating, bananas should be at the level of ripeness you want them to be. To prevent browning, wrap the bananas individually in newspaper or butcher's paper. Place the wrapped bananas in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, and they should be still yellow and the flesh will be just fine.

Cover the stem ends of each banana with plastic wrap or aluminium foil to reduce the release of ethylene gas. Bananas release high amounts of ethylene gas, which accelerates the proces of browning. Thus, to slow it down, separate the bananas from the bunch and then store them.

Some folks scowl at the thought of putting bananas in the fridge. But if you have a banana that you want to keep perfectly ripe for a few more days, move it to the refrigerator. The cool temperatures help slow down the ripening process so the banana won't turn to mush for a bit longer.

Keep your bananas lasting longer. They go ripe fast because they contain a high level of ethylene gas. Wrap the stem of the bananas with a wet paper towel to reduce the amount of ethylene they release.

The ideal place to store bananas is on a countertop, away from direct sunlight. They do well in cool, dry places and will continue to ripen when left at room temperature. What is the best way to keep bananas fresh longer? Once bananas are at their peak ripeness, you can store them in the fridge or freezer for later.

How do supermarkets keep bananas fresh? ›

Bananas are picked green and ideally kept at a temperature of 57 degrees for shipping. Much colder than that will turn them rotten. Before they hit the produce department at the store, they're placed in an air-tight ripening vault filled with ethylene gas.

The Express reported that reader contacted them, sharing the water tip, writing: "A simple and cheaper way of making bananas last longer is to immerse the stalk end in water. Ours keep for 10 to 14 days when stored like that. Rather than the three or four days in a fruit bowl on their own or on a banana hook."

1. Homemade liquid fertiliser and non-toxic pest repellent. Start by cutting your banana peels into small pieces and putting them in a bucket or container and covering them with water. Leave them for two to three days.

Cut banana peels into small pieces, and place them in a large bowl or jar. Cover the peels with water, aiming for a 1:2 water-to-peels ratio. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 2-3 days.