Why do bananas turn dark quickly? What to do to keep bananas fresh longer?
Bananas are a fruit that we often reach for. They are sweet, nutritious and delicious. However, anyone who has ever bought a large number of bananas at once knows that they can they darken quickly, which can reduce their attractiveness. What to do to keep bananas fresh longer?
Fortunately, there are several tricks that can help you prevent or at least slow down the darkening process bananas and thus prolong their freshness.
Why do bananas turn dark?
In order to understand how to prevent bananas from darkening, it is first important to understand why this process occurs in the first place. The darkening of bananas is the result enzymatic reactions, called polyphenol oxidase, which starts when enzymes in bananas react with oxygen in the air. This reaction results in the formation of melanoidins, compounds that give bananas a darker color and change their texture and flavor.
Bananas darken too quickly. Photo: Charlesdeluvio / UnsplashIn addition, bananas are also extremely sensitive to damage and pressure. When the shells are damaged or too compressed, enzymes can be released that accelerate the darkening process. Therefore, it is important to handle bananas with care to prevent damage and preserve their freshness.
Can bananas stay fresh longer: Tricks to prevent bananas from turning brown
Separate storage
One of the easiest ways to prevent bananas from turning brown is to store them separate from other fruits and vegetables. Bananas release ethylene gas, which can accelerate the ripening and darkening of other fruits. That's why it's best to store bananas separately, ideally in an area where there are no other fruits.
Plastic foil
Wrapping banana stalks with transparent plastic film it can reduce the amount of oxygen that comes into contact with the bananas, which can slow down the oxidation process. This is a simple and effective trick that can extend the freshness of bananas for several days.
@motherhoodonpurpose How to keep bananas fresh longer! What fruit do you wish lasted longer? #momhacks #over30clubontiktok #sciencefair #justvisiting
Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits such as lemons and oranges contain high concentrations of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which can inhibit oxidation and thus prevent bananas from darkening. After slicing bananas, you can sprinkle them with lemon or orange juice to keep their bright color.
Refrigerator
Although bananas do not usually ripen in the refrigerator, storing already ripe bananas in the refrigerator can slow down the darkening process. Low temperatures can slow the action of enzymes that cause oxidation, which can extend the freshness of bananas by several days.
Prevent them from darkening. Photo: Manuel Jjoseph / PexelsFreezing
If you have too many ripe bananas and you are afraid that they will darken quickly, you can peel them, cut them into slices and freeze them. Frozen bananas are great for making smoothies, ice cream or baked goods and stay fresh for a long time.
Using foil for food
After each banana cut, you can apply a layer of cling film directly to the surface to prevent contact with oxygen. This can prevent oxidation and prolong the freshness of the banana.
While some tricks may not completely prevent bananas from darkening, v combination with careful handling and proper storage, they significantly extend the freshness of this popular fruit.
