Bananas stay fresh in 1 unexpected place in the kitchen - separate from one type of food

Bananas stay fresh in 1 unexpected place in the kitchen - separate from one type of food (Image: Getty)

Fortunately, there’s an easy way to keep bananas fresher for longer, and it involves storing them in an unexpected location within your kitchen.

While many people think bananas should always be kept at room temperature, storing them in the fridge can actually help prolong their freshness. The skin will naturally darken, but the banana inside remains firm and flavourful inside.

According to waste management experts at NRC Business Waste, refrigerating ripe bananas can delay the over-ripening process by as much as a week.

After buying bananas, once they lose their green colour, putting them in the fridge can help maintain their firmness. Despite the darker skin, the fruit itself stays fresh.

Experts from Wheeldon Brothers suggest that if you can get past the brown skin, you'll discover that the banana inside is firmer and more delicious than those left to ripen at room temperature.

Storing bananas in the fridge can actually help prolong their freshness (Image: Getty)

This method is particularly useful if you prefer bananas that are only partially ripe.

Otherwise, here are other methods you can try:

1. To keep bananas green, keep them out of the fridge

On the other hand, green bananas do not fare well in the fridge. Cold temperatures can stop the ripening process entirely, leaving you with firm bananas that lack flavour. It’s best to let green bananas ripen at room temperature until they’re ready for eating.

2. Avoid keeping bananas in a fruit bowl

Placing bananas in a fruit bowl, especially alongside other fruits, is not an ideal storage method. Bananas emit ethylene gas, a natural compound that accelerates ripening.

Refrigerating ripe bananas can delay the over-ripening process by as much as a week (Image: Getty)

When bananas are stored near other fruits that also release ethylene, this can cause all the fruit to ripen and spoil much more quickly.

3. Wrap the stems to slow ripening

If you prefer to keep bananas in a fruit bowl, consider wrapping their stems in plastic wrap. This simple step can reduce the amount of ethylene gas released, which in turn helps slow down the ripening process.

4. Hang bananas for better air circulation

Another effective way to store bananas is by hanging them on a hook. This method allows air to circulate freely around the bananas, which helps prevent them from over-ripening too fast. It also keeps them separated from other ethylene-producing fruits, extending their freshness.