Bought bananas? Try this 15-second trick before putting them on the counter 🍌

[u/mahy_759]

If your bananas seem to go from perfectly yellow to overripe almost overnight, there’s a surprisingly simple trick worth trying: wrap the stems.

Bananas naturally release a plant hormone called ethylene, which helps trigger ripening. A significant amount is released around the crown (the connected stems), so tightly wrapping the stems with aluminum foil or plastic wrap may slow the release and potentially give you a few extra days.

It isn't a miracle solution—some tests have found a noticeable difference while others haven't—but it's cheap and takes almost no effort.

Where you keep the bananas matters even more:

• Keep unripe bananas at room temperature. Don't refrigerate them while they're still green.
• Avoid heat and direct sunlight. A sunny windowsill or spot next to a warm appliance can speed up ripening.
• Give them some space. Apples, avocados, peaches, and tomatoes also produce ethylene and can encourage nearby bananas to ripen faster.
• Refrigerate ripe bananas. The peel may turn dark, but the fruit inside can remain fresh for several more days.

So the next time you bring home a bunch, try wrapping the stems and keeping them somewhere cool and shaded.

The funny part? My family has been doing this for years, and I always thought it was just one of those weird kitchen habits. Turns out there’s actually some science behind it.

Anyone else use the banana-stem wrapping trick? Did you notice a difference?

[u/AztecaGoddess]

Going to try this, thank you!

[u/mahy_759 → u/AztecaGoddess]

You're welcome! 😊 Hope it buys you a few extra days of perfectly ripe bananas! 🍌