Q&A for How to Store Bananas

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  • Question
    Is it OK to eat an overripe banana?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Overripe bananas are safe to eat. The real issue is your preference; when a banana is at its best for eating is a subjective decision and some people love overripe bananas, others find them too mushy and sweet. Try it to see if you like it. Do not any banana showing signs of mold or deterioration though; if in doubt, compost it. Another great use for overripe bananas is to bake them into a cake, muffins or cookies.
  • Question
    How to keep bananas from turning dark in banana pudding?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Try sprinkling the cut banana pieces with lemon juice before using in the pudding. Be sure to use the cut bananas immediately, by coating them in the custard or pudding mixture to prevent air accessing them and causing the browning via oxidation. Another trick is to assemble the pudding just before serving, so there isn't enough time for the browning to occur. However, if the bananas do turn brown, it's still completely safe to eat, just not as pretty.
  • Question
    How can I stop bananas browning in the refrigerator?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    I took a baking class this week and the teacher said always separate bananas do not keep them in a bunch or together for slowing down ripening. I hang mine on a banana hanging tree that holds them together. Should I put them in a bowl separated instead?
    Community Answer
    Once the bananas have ripened, separating them from the bunch is a good idea to prevent them from ripening any further in a speedy manner. However, this is space consuming and isn't really something most people have the time and space for doing. If you and your family/household members eat bananas quickly and regularly, it shouldn't really matter that the ripe bananas remain in a bunch, as long as they're eaten soon after ripening. Any bananas that ripen too quickly can be used in muffins, cakes, and other baked goods.
  • Question
    Can I store bananas with other fruits in the same bowl, or should I keep them separate?
    Community Answer
    You should store bananas separately. If you store them with other fruit, the other fruit may ripen quicker and go bad before you can eat them.
  • Question
    I defrosted bananas and peeled them ready to bake with them. I left them in a sealed container in the refrigerator for 2 weeks. Are they still safe to bake with?
    Community Answer
    In this case, the answer is that a few weeks is probably a little too long. Keeping refrigerated and using within a few days is recommended, but after that time, the mashed flesh may deteriorate or even have bacterial growth. Look at the color and texture and smell the mash, to determine how the thawed bananas seem to you. Anything that appears bad is a reason to discard the bananas.
  • Question
    How do I store half of a banana?
    Community Answer
    If you plan to use it in the next couple of days, rinse well and store it in a Ziplock bag. Otherwise, you should freeze it.
  • Question
    Is it okay to store bananas in the refrigerator?
    Community Answer
    It's not recommended but equally, it's not clear cut! The reason for not recommending storage of bananas in the fridge is that the skin will blacken (hence, they look awful) and they stop ripening because the ripening enzymes break down below 4ºC. That said, if the bananas are already as ripe as you'd like them to be and you don't mind the skin being blackened, then you can store them in the refrigerator. Some people actually prefer unripe banana flesh, so are not bothered that it won't ripen any further. The optimal storage temperature for bananas is around 10ºC.
  • Question
    Do fruit flies come from bananas?
    Community Answer
    Fruit flies are often attracted to bananas.
  • Question
    How do you keep mashed bananas from turning brown?
    Community Answer
    If you add lemon juice, they will stay nice and yellow and not turn brown. The same thing works with apples.
  • Question
    Any recommendations for storing bananas at room temperature, without making them subject to fruit flies?
    Community Answer
    I store bananas in the microwave, which completely eliminated the fruit-fly problem.
  • Question
    What is the best way to store ripe bananas if I am not serving them for 4 days and would like to keep them yellow and beautiful?
    Community Answer
    If you are only concerned about the appearance of the light yellow color of the edible portion of the banana, you can store them in the fridge. The skins, however, will turn black using this method. I'm not aware of any method that would also preserve the yellow color of the skin.
  • Question
    Do bananas on banana trees ripen faster than if left on the counter in a bunch?
    Community Answer
    Bananas left to ripen on trees split and become floury and unpalatable. This is one fruit that must be removed prior to ripening and allowed to ripen off the tree, so as to avoid the undesirable ripening qualities on the tree. Bananas are much better ripening in a bunch on your counter.
  • Question
    How do I store mashed bananas?
    Community Answer
    Put the mashed bananas into a Ziploc bag and leave it in the freezer until you are ready to use it.
  • Question
    Can I put my banana in a cupboard?
    Community Answer
    Storing an unpeeled banana in a cupboard is fine, as long as you use it within a few days.
  • Question
    What's the best way to transport bananas?
    Community Answer
    Use corn-on-the-cob holders to secure them while traveling, or use heavy-duty paper to wrap around them. You can also cut them into a container with a lid. Pour some pineapple (my favorite) lemon or orange juice over the pieces, close and carry.
  • Question
    I have had bananas in the freezer for over a year. Can I still bake with them?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as the freeze hasn't damaged them.
  • Question
    Do the bananas turn black when in the freezer or refrigerator?
    Community Answer
    When you freeze a banana, it should turn black in a day or two. It should be great before one day, so don't forget about it.
  • Question
    My bananas seem to ripen faster when I store them in a wire bowl. Is this caused by the type of material they are stored in?
    Community Answer
    It's caused by an uneven surface. Store bananas on a wooden cutting board or by hanging, also keep the tops covered in plastic.
  • Question
    Why do bananas brown faster on a counter than in a refrigerator?
    Community Answer
    They stop ripening in the fridge because the ripening enzymes break down below 4ºC.
  • Question
    How do I store bananas without them rotting too quickly?
    Community Answer
    Wrap each individual banana in newspaper and store in the salad compartment of the refrigerator. They will keep up to two weeks.
  • Question
    Should a hand of bananas be stored fingers up or fingers down?
    Community Answer
    They store better fingers-down in case you want the ripening process to slow down. Having the stems up prevents the ripening enzymes passing down to the fruit easily.
  • Question
    Do bananas attract gnats?
    Community Answer
    Yes, they can attract gnats.
  • Question
    How do I freeze bananas?
    Community Answer
    You put them in a plastic bag and put them in the freezer. You can also peel and cut up the banana and then put it in a bag and freeze it.
  • Question
    Can I store bananas in skins in an airtight container?
    Community Answer
    I have used locking lid containers with a paper towel in bottom to absorb moisture, then put them into fridge for 3-4 more days. It works very well.
  • Question
    How do I keep fruit flies away from my fruit?
    Community Answer
    You can store your fruit in the microwave when it's not in use.
  • Question
    How long can I store peeled bananas in the freezer compartment?
    Community Answer
    Bananas can stored frozen for 6-8 months at the longest. Freeze them first on a cookie sheet for 2-3 hours before putting them into a freezer Ziploc (resealable) bag.
  • Question
    How do I store bananas if I don't want to use plastic wrap? Can I wrap the stems with beeswax wrap?
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    Community Answer
    Separate the bananas from the stem. Put them all in a plate. Cover them all with a wet towel. Ensure that the towel never gets dry. It will keep the bananas fresh for a longer period of time, at least 4-5 days.
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