Bananas Last 10 Days Longer When Stored with 1 Kitchen Item? Here’s What Actually Works

Bananas seem to have a frustratingly short window between perfectly ripe and overly brown. You bring home a bunch that looks beautiful, and within a few days, the fruit may begin developing brown spots and softening.

That has led to plenty of kitchen-storage tricks, including the popular idea of placing bananas with a particular household item to make them last 10 days longer.

But does one simple kitchen item really make that much difference?

The answer is more nuanced. Some storage techniques can slow banana ripening, but there is no reliable guarantee that a single kitchen item will keep every bunch fresh for exactly 10 additional days.

Here is what actually helps.

Why Do Bananas Ripen So Quickly?

Bananas are climacteric fruits, meaning they continue to ripen after being harvested.

One important factor is ethylene, a naturally occurring plant hormone involved in fruit ripening. As bananas ripen, they produce ethylene, which contributes to changes in their color, texture, aroma, and sweetness.

Temperature also matters.

Bananas generally ripen more quickly at room temperature than they do under cooler conditions. That’s why where and when you store them can make a noticeable difference.

The Kitchen Item You May Have Heard About

One commonly shared storage trick involves wrapping the banana stems with plastic wrap.

The idea is that the stems are an important source of ethylene release, so covering them may slow the exposure of the fruit to ethylene.

This technique can sometimes help slow ripening, particularly when used together with proper storage.

However, it is important not to overstate the effect.

Wrapping the stems does not reliably guarantee 10 extra days of freshness. The exact result depends on how ripe the bananas were when purchased, the temperature of the room, humidity, airflow, and the variety of banana.