
*Storing bananas correctly can significantly extend their freshness, but common mistakes—like keeping them in a fruit bowl with other produce—might be causing them to spoil faster than necessary.
To keep bananas fresh longer, avoid storing them in a fruit bowl with other fruits, as bananas release ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening in nearby produce. Store bananas separately, especially away from ethylene-sensitive fruits like apples and pears, unless you want them to ripen faster. For extra freshness, wrap the banana stems in plastic or foil to slow down gas release.
Per Express UK, the experts at Zest Food Service said: “The ethene which bananas release can affect many other fruits, such as apples and pears, which is why you should keep the bananas separate from these fruits unless you intentionally want to ripen them quicker.”
They added: “If you block this crown with cling-film or silver foil, you can prevent the gas from escaping and severely slow down the ripening process. This could give you another three to five days on the natural ripening timescale.”
Once bananas are yellow with light spots, refrigerate them to maintain firmness and flavor, although the peel may darken. Avoid refrigerating green bananas, as the cold will prevent them from ripening fully. This method can extend their freshness by up to two weeks.

Here’s more from Real Simple:
Where is the best place to store bananas?
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. Heat and sunlight speed the ripening process, so keep your bananas in a cool location within your kitchen. You can also inv est in a banana hanger to keep the fruit from bruising.
How do you store bananas to keep them yellow longer?
Wrapping the stems of a banana bunch in plastic keeps bananas fresh and yellow for longer. This is because banana stems produce ethylene gas which spreads to the rest of the fruit spreading up the ripening process. The plastic contains the gas, keeping it from getting to the bananas and extending its shelf life.
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