Make Bananas Last Longer With One Simple Kitchen Item 🍌
The “one kitchen item” is often plastic wrap—but there is an important detail: wrapping the banana stems can slow ripening, rather than making bananas last exactly 10 extra days.
Bananas naturally release ethylene gas, which promotes ripening. Their stems are an important source of ethylene the fruit away from surfaces and reducing bruising. Bruised areas tend, so covering the stems can reduce how quickly the gas escapes.
How to Try It
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Keep the bananas together or separate them into individual bananas.
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Wrap the top/stem of each banana tightly with a small piece of plastic wrap.
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Keep the bananas at room temperature, away from direct sunlight and heat.
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Once they’re ripe enough for you, you can refrigerate them. The peel may turn brown or black in the refrigerator, but the fruit inside can remain good for longer.
Another Useful Trick
A banana hanger can help by keeping the fruit away from surfaces and reducing bruising. Bruised areas tend to ripen more quickly.
What About the “10 Days Longer” Claim?
There’s no reliable guarantee that wrapping the stems will extend banana life by exactly 10 days. Ripening depends on temperature, variety, starting ripeness, and handling.
Bottom line: If you want bananas to stay usable longer, try wrapping the stems and keeping them somewhere cool but not refrigerated until ripe. It’s a simple trick, but don’t expect a guaranteed extra 10 days.
