How to speed up or slow down the banana ripening process. Because sometimes you want to stretch that bunch out to last the week and sometimes you want it to hurry up and ripen.
The ubiquitous banana is one of the most universally liked and consistent fruit around. You pick up a ripe banana and you know exactly how it's going to taste all the time. Unlike a strawberry or a blueberry, which can sometimes be surprisingly sour, dry or even tasteless - a banana will never let you down. It will always taste like a banana.
That's exactly what makes it my favourite fruit. Not necessarily because of the taste, but because of the fact that no matter what, when I buy a banana I know what I'm getting. That was not the case with the grapes I bought last night which taste a lot like very small water balloons.
Bananas are the most dependable of all the berries.
Yes, berries. Google it. A banana is a berry. For something so mundane, bananas are actually filled with fun surprises. They're like one of those Gypsy wedding dresses that look basically normal until the moment the bride flicks a switch and it starts flashing lights and whirling live doves around.
Banana Facts
- Bananas are indeed considered a berry.
- Bananas make you happy. Like turkey, bananas have tryptophans and Vitamin B6 which helps your production of that feel good chemical - serotonin.
- Humans and bananas share 50% of their DNA.
- Bananas peels are scientifically proven to get rid of itchiness from bug bites, poison ivy and other miserable problems. Just rub the inside of the banana peel on the affected area. The inside of the peel contains a high amount of polysaccharides which relieve itch. Those polysaccharide molecules in the banana peel are ALSO what make it so slippery.
Told ya. Bananas are interesting. Gypsy level interesting!
The same night I bought the water balloon grapes, I also bought some oranges and greenish bananas. When I got home I thought I'd look up an old post of mine because in it I explained how to ripen bananas faster. I forgot my own information.
It happens.
You know when someone mentions something or says a word you've never heard before and you feel like an idiot? And then you suddenly notice that word or thing everywhere? Well, that happened to me a few years ago with bananas. Sort of.
Twice in as many days, two separate people, randomly, out of the blue, told me that bananas ripen at different speeds depending on whether you leave them in a bunch of separate them.
This was obviously a sign from the fruit Gods. At the very least, the Chiquita banana lady. I needed to find the truth about this. Was it possible? Did bananas really ripen differently depending on whether or not you pulled them apart?
This wasn't information I could just accept without some kind of proof.
This needed some detective work. So I put on my overcoat, my see-behind-you sunglasses which I got in a magic kit when I was 12 and went straight to the grocery store. I bought a bunch of completely green bananas all the while watching the guy behind me trying to slip a roast into his pants.
I separated two individual bananas from the bunch. So now I had 2 individual bananas and a bunch of bananas. Would one group ripen faster than the other?
Here are the results in technicolour video.
How to Ripen Bananas
Bananas left in a full bunch ripened almost twice as fast as bananas that were separated.
I only did this once, so it could have been a fluke, but the results are right there. The bananas in a bunch definitely ripened more quickly.
How to Make Bananas Ripen Faster.
How to make green bananas ripen faster at home.
Materials
- 1 bunch of bananas
Instructions
- Keep your bananas in a bunch and store them in a paper bag to help trap the ethylene gas.
- Check them daily.
Notes
Conversely, if you want your bananas to ripen more slowly separate them and keep them away from each other.
The Results
Bananas that were kept in a bunch ripened at about twice the rate as bananas that were separated.
Either way, once they were ripened, they all tasted exactly like a banana (with a slight Gypsy aftertaste.)
Well, this is a fine piece of news. Now what are we supposed to do with those cute little banana hanger thingies that decorate my countertop?? I've always hated it when I get down to a single banana because it won't hang by it's pretty little neck like its supposed to.
Um. You could braid cute little banana nooses. That's one way to go. ~ karen!
Proposal for your next kitchen experiment (thanks for the tip about bananas, BTW...very helpful): Does storing onions near potatoes cause the potatoes to rot, or store less well? My mother always claimed that the gasses let off by the onions do other root-cellar produce harm. Where do you keep your onions?
Separate from my potatoes. :) ~ karen
Thanks, I am guessing it is because, when separated, they can be a few degrees cooler, as more air can get to them, and that is slowing down the ripening. I can't think of anything else that would....Jim
Ha! I was doing it backwards the whole time. No wonder they were't ripening fast enough. That and my house is about 60 degrees in the winter, which slows them down a bit. So thank you for straightening me out.
It could also be that larger bananas ripen faster...
Nope. They were the same size. And I did the experiment 3 times. It's separating them. ~ karen
Bought some bananas today and quickly separated them.
I can't tell if they're gassy or not. They may just be really polite. :)
LOL! Genuine LOL! ~ karen
Last week I learned the best way (the only way, actually) to peal a banana. For 34 years I had no idea. I love these little lucky moments that can make your day!
Had no idea
Oooooh, good to know. I've never separated my bananas and they get ripe way too quickly. Now I'm going to start and I'll have nice yummy bananas all week long!
Thanks for doing this experiment for me--I have been separating my bananas for some time now, having read the tip online somewhere. Shortly after I read it, I heard someone saying the exact OPPOSITE thing on the radio. So, every week as I faithfully pull my bananas apart, I always wonder. Now your next experiment can be why people wonder and DON'T do their own research. :)
Speaking of experiments--you need to read this book it is FANTASTIC: State of Wonder by Ann Patchett. You will absolutely love it.
They last longer if the ones you separate are not touching each other. If you want to make them last even longer, separate them, wrap each one in newspaper and put them in the fridge.
There's always something to think about, isn't there. It all beats me.
you need to have the same number of separated bananas piled up.
I have. I've done it every way possible. Separated bananas always ripen more slowly. Always, always. ~ karen
I like my bananas so ripe most people are afraid of them.
Did you know if you freeze good n ripe bananas and blend them up they taste like vanilla ice cream? While doing this I learned my Vitamix blender will just quit instead going on and burning the motor up.
I've learned that too! Don't tell the fella. Technically the blender is his and he doesn't like me to touch it. ~ karen
Well that was freakin amazing! I don't eat a lot of bananas but other people in this house do and won't touch a ripe one. This could actually save me money! Great music btw...
This is interesting, but I really like my RIPE bananas & then they hit that point where they make me wanna bake. Great video, the only reason they make plastic cat carriers is because they chew through cardboard. We had a gym bag for our first cat. Just opened it up on the floor & waited five minutes. Zip & off to the vet.
Brilliant!!! I must try that, there's nothing worse than trying to shove a cat into a carrier.
Getting a cat inside a carrier is easier if you tilt the carrier up on end with the open door on top. Then drop the cat inside and close the door.
They force hogs into the chute by putting a bucket over their head so they back away. Just steer them where you want them to go. Works on cats, too. A large cottage cheese container works.
Horrible!
A good way, is to pick up your cat and put it backwards into your cat carrier, they can’t put their paws out and resist going in. Also, keeping your carrier in an area they can get to it and use it as a hidey spot, sleeping spot, so they’re used to it. I’ve been rescuing cats for 43 years.
And bananas, separating them, def keeps them from ripening faster, if that’s what you want. And ripened bananas as someone mentioned blended in a blender do make an ice cream type treat. I use ripe ones for that banana bread or cake, even frosting.
Well now..ain't that sumthin..do we know why this happens?? Why does the bunch ripen faster..why does the singles ripen slower..why does a cat shove it's butt into any available box no matter how small it may be..
My guess is that if they are in closer proximity to each other, they are exposed to more of the ethylene gas they are giving off. Kind of along the lines of another commenter stating you should store your bananas with other fruit, as it will ripen faster too. It would be interesting to do an experiment where you compare the rate of ripening of singles still touching each other and singles spaced further apart!
if they get too ripe, you can take them out of the skin, put in a freezer bag, smash them, and freeze them. They are great for banana bread or banana cake and they last forever.
Great blog. I'm trying everything. Because I am quarantining I have to count on delivery and can't choose my own bananas. Thanks.
Yes! I look forward to your cat proofing video!! You're the best. :)
I will now ALWAYS separate my bananas! They always ripen to fast for us!
You have again answered one of the world's most intriguing mysteries. Amazing detective work. :)