TikTok's refreshing trick to prolong banana freshness

Bananas are one of those fruits that we often over-purchase at the grocery store or market. We pick up a bunch, only to find they lose their freshness too soon. However, there's a surprisingly simple method to prevent this waste.

Bananas are a popular fruit choice due to their nutritional benefits, which vary with their ripeness. Each stage of ripeness, from green to yellow to overripe, offers different tastes, so everyone has their preference.

Often purchased unripe in anticipation of long-term storage, bananas can disappointingly develop brown spots and lose freshness sooner than expected. While these overripe bananas can still be used in recipes like baked goods or pancakes, there is a strategy to keep them firmer for more than 15 days.

Simple ideas can be game-changers, especially in the kitchen. A tip shared by TikTok user Dustin Hadley (@that40yearguy) demonstrates how to extend bananas' shelf life. By submerging the stems of a bunch of bananas in water and comparing them after 12 days with another bunch left in the open air, Hadley observed that the submerged bananas remained much fresher. Despite some browning, they continued to ripen yet stayed firm. The bananas not placed in water deteriorated significantly.

This watering technique is handy for keeping green, unripe bananas in good condition for over 15 days. An alternative method involving plastic wrap around the stems also proves effective.

• Green bananas are firm and not very sweet, containing the most starch and least sugar. They're an ideal choice for those on a diet or managing diabetes. Slightly more mature green bananas offer a sweeter taste and are easier to digest.
• Yellow bananas are deemed fully ripe, free of spots, and sweet. Packed with carbohydrates and fibre, they provide a quick feeling of fullness. They're especially recommended for children or as a nutritious option following illness. Storing them in a cool, dark place helps slow the ripening process.
• Brown bananas become sweeter and the pulp softer as they darken. Perfect for natural sweetening in recipes such as cakes, shakes, and pancakes, they are also very easy to digest.