Bananas often ripen and turn brown quickly after purchase, making them one of the most frequently discarded fruits. Statistics from the UK's Out of Date food waste campaign show that residents in the country throw away approximately one million bananas daily.
During the ripening process, bananas release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone. Therefore, the habit of placing bananas in the same fruit bowl as other high-ethylene producers, such as apples and pears, increases the concentration of accumulated ethylene, causing the entire fruit basket to overripen quickly.
To address this issue, American food preservation expert Amy Cross demonstrates how to store bananas separately using a sealed glass jar with a metal lid. "Bananas stay fresh longest when cut in half, left unpeeled, and placed in a wide-mouth glass jar in the refrigerator", Cross stated in a video posted on her personal page.
Cross conducted an experiment with three bananas of the same ripeness. She placed two bananas on the kitchen counter, while the third banana was cut in half to fit the height of a glass jar, then sealed and stored in the refrigerator. After 16 days, the two bananas left outside had turned black and mushy, whereas the banana stored in the jar maintained its bright yellow peel.
American food preservation expert Amy Cross shares a tip for preserving bananas in a glass jar. Source: Amycross/Instagram
How the glass jar keeps bananas fresh
According to Cross, this method works best with bananas that are just ripe and uniformly yellow. The sealed environment inside the glass jar prevents bananas from external ethylene exposure. It also shields the peel from the dry, cold air in the refrigerator, which often causes banana peels to blacken quickly. The stable cool temperature slows down the ripening and oxidation processes, helping the fruit remain firm for over two weeks.
When applying this method, users should only cut the banana into pieces (if the jar is short) and must keep the peel intact; do not peel or slice them into small pieces. The peel acts as a natural protective barrier, limiting the flesh's exposure to air that causes browning and mushiness.
Other tips for keeping bananas fresh longer
If storing at room temperature, food hygiene experts at the UK's High Speed Training organization recommend keeping bananas separate from other fruits. Place them in a cool, airy spot, away from direct sunlight and heat-emitting kitchen appliances.
Users can also separate individual bananas and wrap the stems tightly with food wrap to limit ethylene gas release. Alternatively, hang the entire bunch on a specialized rack to prevent bruising.
For very ripe bananas that cannot be eaten immediately, families can peel them, place them in a zip bag or sealed container, and freeze them. This method preserves bananas for up to six months, ideal for making ice cream or smoothies.
Minh Phuong (According to Express, AS)
