How and how many bananas can be stored at home, the rules
Bananas are tropical fruits not only with a pleasant smell, amazing taste, but also with many useful properties. The product can be purchased in supermarkets all year round. But there are not always quality products on sale. Therefore, any housewife should learn how to store bananas correctly, so that in some situations she does not rush to nearby retail stores in search of fresh fruits, but takes them out of the refrigerator.
Storage periods
The shelf life of yellow fruits depends on their color and the ambient temperature. Before storing the fruit, it should not be washed. The liquid will flush substances from the skin that have been applied by the supplier or store staff to extend shelf life.
Ripe
The shelf life of ripe bananas varies depending on the time of year. In winter, the fruits remain fresh for 2-2.5 weeks. And in the warm season - only 5-7 days.
Green vegetables
Green specimens are stored longer - 3-4 weeks, under certain conditions.
Optimal environmental conditions
Tropical fruits react immediately to changes in environmental conditions.
Storage
Bananas are considered capricious in terms of storage. They begin to deteriorate faster with sudden changes in temperature, prolonged exposure to cold, heat or direct sunlight. The optimal conditions are:
- air heated to + 16 ... + 17 °;
- good ventilation;
- humidity about 80%.
Such conditions can be created on a secluded balcony, in a closet.
Maturity
When a party or birthday is planned, fruits are usually stocked in advance and in large quantities. In this case, it is better to buy green bananas. In order for them to ripen and remain yellow for a long time, the following rules must be followed:
- put fruits in boxes in a single layer;
- cover with paper on top;
- place the container in a dark place at a temperature of + 13 ... + 14 °;
- leave a pot of water next to it, add liquid if necessary.
Under these conditions, the bananas will ripen in 5 to 6 days.
Home storage rules
For better conservation of bananas, you must:
- Divide the pack immediately after purchase.
- Wrap the stem of each specimen with cling film.
- Bend the fruits so that they do not come into contact with each other.
A bunch of ripe bananas can be hung on a hook. In this position, they will not turn black. Overripe specimens are placed in the refrigerator in paper bags or simply wrapped in paper. They try to eat them as quickly as possible.
Tropical fruits are never stored in polythene bags. Humidity and lack of ventilation will quickly spoil the product.
How to ripen green bananas at home
If there is a need for exotic fruits to ripen faster in the apartment, then they are hung directly in the kitchen, but not above the stove or radiator. Or placed in a sunny place, but not in direct sunlight. Within a day, the fruit will become ripe. There is also a way to speed up the ripening of fruits. Ripe fruits are put in a box next to them: apples, pears, lemons.
How to properly freeze for the winter
For some people, the idea of freezing bananas may seem absurd. But do not forget that in the freezer the shelf life of the product increases significantly.
Used as containers:
- plastic containers that can be sealed;
- pewter containers;
- plastic bags.
Experienced housewives do not use ordinary PVC bags, but special ones. They are durable, reusable and have clasps. Non-food bags, hardware bags or wrapping paper are not suitable for storing bananas in the freezer.
If you buy ripe or overripe specimens that may soon go bad, it is best to send them to the freezer.
Green fruits do not lend themselves to freezing.
Separate the bananas and wash them thoroughly under running cold water. Placed on a clean towel so that the liquid is glass, or wiped with a towel. There are several ways to put fruit in the freezer. The simplest is the peeled banana, packaged in a bag. You can wrap each fruit in aluminum foil. If necessary, the required amount of semi-finished products is taken out and thawed. Be sure to write on each package the date the product was not stored and the approximate freezing date.
How to keep without the skin
First, the peeled bananas are placed on a tray covered with cling film so that they do not touch each other. The container is placed in the freezer for 2-3 hours. When the fruits are frozen, they are placed in a large plastic bag. It is tied so that there is no excess air left and placed in the freezer.
In pieces
Yellow fruits can be saved and cut open. Bananas are peeled, cut into rings 3-4 centimeters thick. Better if they are identical. The pieces are arranged in small containers so that they take up as little space as possible.
Mash potatoes
Exotic fruits can also be crushed. The dessert remains tasty and aromatic longer than other preparations. Bananas are peeled, cut into pieces and chopped in a bowl of a food processor, citric acid is added. The mass is thoroughly mixed and placed in the smallest containers. They are placed in a freezer.
Defrosted exotic fruits are used to decorate homemade cakes or added to porridge, cocktails or ice cream.
Unwanted neighbors
Pungent-smelling herbs, smoked foods, raw meat, fish should not be placed next to bananas. The "bad" neighborhood will negatively affect the smell and taste of yellow fruits. In addition, unprocessed foods contain microorganisms that can harm the human body. If they get on bananas, there is a great risk of poisoning them. After all, the fruits are not cooked.
Tips & Tricks
There are tips for storing exotic fruits that all housewives should know:
- The palms on which the yellow fruits grow are found in humid tropical climates.Therefore, they do not tolerate low temperatures. If the fruit is stored in the refrigerator, the skin quickly darkens, the pulp softens and becomes mucus. Basically, bananas are bad.
- The method of freezing semi-finished products determines their shelf life. Fruits in the peel retain their taste and nutrients for only 2 months. In other cases, the time spent in the freezer is increased by an additional month. Additionally, durations are only reduced if all storage rules are met.
- The best freezing temperature: -18 ... -22 ° С. Therefore, before placing bananas in the freezer, you should read the instructions for the household appliance. Keep in mind that in old refrigerators the doors sometimes do not close tightly. Therefore, the temperature inside the freezers is higher than indicated in the instructions.
- Banana slices and mashed potatoes are best placed in small containers so that after removal from the freezer, use the entire portion of the preparation as intended. The product should not be refrozen in any case.
- Thaw the bananas on one of the refrigerator shelves. Leaving the frozen semi-finished product at room temperature or heating it in the microwave will affect its appearance.
- Fresh bananas can be used to make delicious ice cream. Take 3 large fruits, grind them with a blender. Then heavy cream is poured into the mass to taste and 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder is added. Everything is carefully mixed and arranged in vases. Sprinkle the top with chopped peanuts or almonds. After a few days, the delicacy is served on the table. Not a single person will refuse it, regardless of gender and age.
- Black spots often appear on the skin of yellow fruits, then the skin turns dark. Some people don't eat such specimens because they look unappetizing. But they probably don't know that black spots are an indicator of ripeness in bananas. After all, these fruits are the sweetest, they contain the greatest amount of vitamins and useful components.
Bananas have long been a staple. But not everyone knows how to store them properly. But the application of the simplest rules allows housewives to always have fresh yellow exotic fruits at hand and delight every household with a sweet banana dessert.