Bananas are a funny fruit. Some people like them, and some people don’t. If you are one of those who like bananas, then you probably would like to know how to enjoy them best.
Some like bananas by themselves, some like banana bread, and some are lovers of banana pudding.
No matter what your personal taste may be, you are probably wondering, “Do bananas go bad?”
If you love bananas, as many do, then it is probably best to learn how to store them once they are purchased.
This way, you’ll learn how to enjoy that wonderful flavor that tickles your senses.
How To Store Bananas
If you purchase bananas when they haven’t ripened yet(green), then it’s best to store them in a kitchen cabinet. If it’s not possible, then you can leave them on a kitchen counter that doesn’t get much sunlight. This helps to ripen them slowly.
If you want to ripen them a bit faster, you can simply put the bananas in a brown paper lunch bag and close the top(folding it over). Bananas emit ethylene gas which aids in the ripening process. A closed brown paper bag keeps the ethylene gas in the bag and takes a few days off of the wait.
Never put bananas that have not ripened in the refrigerator. The colder air actually slows the ripening down and affects the flavor and texture.
When it comes to ripe bananas, it is best to refrigerate them. While you can leave them out in the open at room temperature, they will not last that long. After a couple of days, you’ll notice the flesh becoming softer and more black spots covering the bananas. Use your best judgment as to whether you should throw them out.
You can put a whole bunch of bananas in the refrigerator without any type of protection, and they will do just fine. One drawback to refrigeration is that the skin of the bananas will turn black, but no worries, the bananas are still just fine.
How Long Do Bananas Last?
If you don’t use the brown paper bag technique mentioned above, bananas should ripen between 2-5 days. Once they are ripe, it’s best to transfer them to the refrigerator, where they will last for up to a week. Otherwise, they will last 2 or 3 days before you notice the quality deteriorating.
Like most cut fruits, they do not last as long as whole fruits. Even if refrigerated, cut bananas will only last for 3 or 4 days. After that time period, keep an eye on them, as they may still be good.
Do Bananas Go Bad?
Verdict: Yes.
The truth is, once you peel a banana, instincts will tell you whether it is good or bad. Trust your instincts if you are not sure, and err on the side of caution.
With that said, seeing brown spots develop on the banana’s skin doesn’t necessarily mean it is going bad. Many believe that there is a window where a certain amount of brown spots indicate when the banana has the best flavor and texture. That, of course, is something that is up to trial and error.
While bananas are not the hardest fruits when it comes to touch, after knowing the right firmness of a banana, you’ll be able to determine that a banana is going bad by noticing how soft it is. Once you realize that it seems softer and possibly leaking banana juices, it’s definitely time to get rid of it – it’s most likely gone bad.
Hopefully, this answers a lot of questions for you. Just remember, trust your instincts, and if it doesn’t feel right, it probably is not.
