How to Preserve Bananas to Keep Them Fresh for Longer

If you don’t know how to store bananas, they will quickly become blackened and overripe. To keep bananas fresh for a longer period, follow these simple tips below.

How to Store Bananas Using Plastic Wrap

You need to prepare a basin of clean water. Add a tablespoon of salt and 1-2 tablespoons of baking soda, then stir until dissolved.

Place the bananas into the prepared basin of water. Soak them for about 5-10 minutes. After that, gently wash them by hand to remove any dirt on the skin. This method also helps eliminate any chemicals that may trigger ripening on the banana peel (if any). Washing the bananas also reduces the presence of pesticides left on the surface.

Note that this method should only be used for bananas that are still intact, without cracks in the skin. Bananas with cracks in the skin should be eaten immediately.

After washing them with saltwater, rinse the bananas with clean water.

Use a cloth to dry the bananas thoroughly. Make sure to dry each banana carefully. If water remains, it will cause the bananas to ripen quickly.

To make washing and drying easier, you can separate each banana from the bunch. Be careful not to tear the banana peel.

Next, wrap the stem of the bananas with plastic wrap (or aluminum foil, or a plastic bag). Only wrap the stem; there’s no need to wrap the fruit itself.

The stem of the banana produces a lot of ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening process. By wrapping the stem, you prevent the ethylene gas from spreading and causing the bananas to ripen faster.

Tie a string around the banana bunch and hang it up high. If you leave the bananas on a flat surface or a table, the bananas on top will press down on the ones below, causing them to become squashed.

If you don’t want to hang them, you can place the bananas in a basket, ensuring that the bananas do not press against each other.

Hang or store the bananas in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight. When you want to eat them, simply pick off the individual bananas as needed.

How to Store Bananas by Soaking the Stem in Water

If you don’t want the bananas to ripen too quickly and turn brown, you can place the stem of the bananas in a bowl of water. Keep the bananas in a cool, airy place. This method can keep the bananas fresh for about 3-5 days.

How to Store Bananas in the Refrigerator

Generally, if you store bananas in the refrigerator, the peel will quickly darken and change color. However, the fruit inside will remain unaffected.

Low temperatures will help delay the ripening process of bananas.

If you store them in the refrigerator's regular compartment, wrap the bananas in plastic wrap. This will prevent them from ripening too quickly, turning brown, or becoming mushy.

If you want to store bananas for a longer period, place them in the freezer.

For bananas with their skins intact, simply place them in a ziplock bag or a plastic container with a lid. Store the container in the freezer. Bananas stored this way can last for about 3-4 months. The skin will darken, but the fruit inside will remain fresh.

You can also peel the bananas, either keeping them whole or cutting them into chunks or slices according to your preference. Place the bananas in a ziplock bag or a sealed container and store them in the freezer. This method can keep the bananas fresh for about 2 months.

Frozen bananas can be used immediately in smoothies or drinks. If you want to bake with them, remove the bananas from the freezer and allow them to thaw before using.