Should I Keep Bananas In The Fridge (2023)

FAQs

Should I Keep Bananas In The Fridge? ›

Can You Store Bananas in the Fridge? Yes, you can absolutely store bananas in the fridge. Just keep in mind that the cool, dry climate slows the ripening process, which is why bananas aren't refrigerated in the supermarket. In other words, if you put green, unripe bananas in the fridge, they're likely to stay that way.

Do bananas last longer in the fridge or on the counter? If a banana is already ripe, it can last longer kept in the refrigerator as it will prevent further ripening. But if a banana isn't already ripe, don't store it in there as it won't ripen – you should keep green bananas out of the refrigerator.

Bananas are picked green and ripen at room temperature. Refrigerating them not only causes the skin to darken, it slows down or stops ripening. So, it is best to keep them out of the fridge until they are fully ripened. At that point refrigerating them will help keep them from becoming over ripe.

Refrigerate Your Bananas Once They're Ripe

Want to store bananas for even longer periods of time? Then you're in luck. Peel the banana when it is ripe and place it in a freezer bag or freezer-friendly, airtight container and it will last for up to one month.

Do you have to put fruit in the fridge to keep it fresh? Not for bananas! Because bananas turn brown in the fridge. Polyphenol oxidase (PPO) is widely considered as one of the important factors for the tissue browning of fruits and vegetables.

Keep them cool and protected from the light: Bananas should be stored at around 12°C, as they will ripen quicker if they are too warm. Pop them into the fridge: If you want to store your bananas correctly, you can certainly store them in the fridge.

Refrigerating bananas will slow or stop the ripening process, preserving the fruit at its current state. This means that you should only refrigerate bananas once they've reached the precise level of ripeness you're looking for.

“Placing them in a cool environment once at your preferred level of ripeness can actually help prolong the shelf life. While the skin will continue to brown, the flesh of the banana will remain the same and can extend shelf-life by one week.” Mimi says that other fruits benefit from spending time in the fridge too.

Cover the stem ends of each banana with plastic wrap or aluminium foil to reduce the release of ethylene gas. Bananas release high amounts of ethylene gas, which accelerates the proces of browning.

To start you want to place them in a dry area. If stored correctly, you'll have ripe bananas in 2 to 5 days. If you're curious about how to keep bananas fresh for longer, you should know about how to store bananas in your refrigerator. If you place them in the refrigerator, fully ripe bananas will last 5 to 7 days.

Why did my bananas turn black in the fridge? ›

Bananas are a tropical fruit and have no natural defence against the cold in their cell walls. These become ruptured by cold temperatures, causing the fruits' digestive enzymes to leak out of the cells, which is what causes the banana's skin to turn completely black, according to A Moment of Science.

Emily: Well it's a good question and the answer is that they will brown faster in the fridge. It's mainly due to the formation of ice crystals, so if you put your banana in the fridge, the ice crystals grow, and they actually rupture the cells of the banana skin.

If the fruit inside, not just the peel, is black, that's a sign that your banana is too far gone to safely eat.

You may be used to keeping your bananas in prime pantry real estate, but if you keep them there, they just keep ripening. When they're ready to eat, put them in the fridge, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says. If the peels turn brown, they'll still be good to eat.

Ditch the Plastic Bag

Bananas that are stored in plastic bags will ripen faster. Instead, keep your bananas at room temperature in a cool, dark place to be sure they receive fresh, well-ventilated air. Bananas sitting in direct sunlight or near the stove will shrivel up and turn brown at a faster rate.

According to Chiquita's website, separating each banana from the bunch is the most effective way of slowing down the ripening process. The large amount of ethylene gas produced by an intact bunch of bananas will ripen them faster.

Then, place in a cupboard or somewhere dark (not the refrigerator though) and this will speed up the ripening process.