In this article we will deal with bananas. Most people like to eat bananas but only a small number of people know more about their shelf life. Now you will learn how long bananas can last and how they should be stored properly.
Also, we will show you how to notice if bananas have gone bad. Read on and find out.
More about Bananas
Bananas are edible fruits that are usually curved and elongated. The banana plant is considered one of the largest herbaceous flowering plants. Bananas can vary from a green color to the perfect yellow color. When they are stored for too long in the grocery store they can develop a brown spotted skin. Bananas are rich in starch and they can add all necessary nutrients to your diet. Bananas are loaded with vitamins, soluble fiber, potassium and they have many health benefits for people.
Many studies have shown that the regular consumption of bananas can improve heart function, bone density, digestion, kidney health and blood pressure levels. Bananas are often called a nature’s super food because of their high nutritional content. When you are buying bananas you should choose them depending on when you want to eat them and how you want to store them.
What Is the Shelf Life of Bananas?
It is not easy to determine the shelf life of bananas, because there is no a best before date, use by date or sell by date attached to them. So, we should take in consideration the date when the bananas were purchased. By the time we purchase bananas at a grocery store they are a week or two from picking.
It is also very important in which moment you consider a banana bad. If banana is black-yellow it doesn’t mean that it has gone bad. It may not taste the same as the yellow one but it will be still edible. Some people adore bananas that are soft and that have brown spots, while others consider them rancid.
Generally we can say that ripe bananas can stay fresh for about three to five days after purchasing, if they are stored properly. You can extend the shelf life of ripe bananas if you put them in the fridge. You should know that your bananas will turn brown in the fridge but they will keep their flavor and texture. It is very important that your bananas won’t change on the inside.
How To Store Bananas Properly?
Bananas become ripe at room temperature, so it is best to store bananas in the refrigerator, especially if bananas are already ripe. To prolong the shelf life of bananas that are left at room temperature, you should place plastic wrap around the stem of a bunch. If you place banana near other fruit, this fruit will also ripen faster. You should also protect bananas from fruit flies that hover around the fruit basket.
So, in order to get rid of these flies, you should put a teaspoon of vinegar in a bowl of water. Place this bowl near the basket with bananas and in the morning you will see the fruit flies swimming in the bowl. If you want to store bananas for a longer period of time, you should freeze them, but have in mind that bananas stored in the freezer will change in texture and flavor.
How To Tell If Bananas Have Gone Bad?
You will easily notice if your bananas have gone bad. First they will get brown spots and then they will turn brown.
Also, if bananas have gone bad, they will become soft and the liquid will probably leak from them. It is also possible that bananas turn black if they are left out for too long, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that bananas are spoiled. A black-yellow banana will taste sweeter but it will still be edible. But, if bananas significantly change in texture or flavor, you should discard them.
Sometimes bananas can also grow mold. If you notice any of these changes you should discard the bananas. Now that you know how long bananas can last and how you should store them, we hope you will use your bananas before they go bad.
