Banana longevity: TikTok's simple trick to keep them fresh

It's all too easy to grab a bunch of bananas at the store or market only to watch them lose their freshness at an alarming rate. Fortunately, there's a straightforward strategy to prevent waste.

Bananas are a beloved fruit, cherished for their valuable properties, which vary with ripeness. Green, yellow, and brown bananas offer different taste profiles, leading to our varied preferences. Typically, we opt for unripe ones, thinking they'll last, but disappointingly, they often develop brown spots and become stale swiftly. While these bananas are still great for baking or pancakes, there is a trick to maintaining their firmness for over 15 days.

The most straightforward ideas seem the best, especially in the kitchen. A TikTok user, Dustin Hadley, under @that40yearguy, shared his method for prolonging the lifespan of bananas. The difference was clear by submerging the stems of a bunch in water and comparing them to another bunch left dry for 12 days.

The bananas in the water stayed fresher; although they ripened and developed some brown spots, they remained firm. Those left out of the water deteriorated. This trick benefits green, unripe bananas, helping them stay in prime condition for over 15 days. An alternative method involving plastic wrap also proves effective. Simply encasing the banana stems can similarly preserve their freshness.

• Green bananas are tough and not particularly sweet. They have the highest starch content and the lowest sugar, making them ideal for dieters and diabetics. Those that are light green are tastier, slightly sweeter and more digestible.
• Yellow bananas are viewed as fully ripe. They are spotless, sweet, and a good source of carbohydrates and fibre. They satisfy hunger quickly, which makes them perfect for children and a beneficial choice post-infection. Stored in a cool, dark place, their ripening slows down.
• Brown bananas are the sweetest due to their darkened skin and soft flesh, making them a natural sugar substitute in cakes, shakes, and pancakes. These bananas are also the easiest to digest.