Difference between revisions of "Keep Bananas from Ripening Too Fast"
(importing article from wikihow) |
m (Update ref tag) |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
| − | {{fa}}Bananas turn brown for a variety of reasons. When you cut open a banana, the oxygen affects enzymes in the banana, turning the inside brown. When a banana turns brown on the outside, it is because the banana's yellow pigment is broken down and not replaced, producing a brown color.<ref>http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=1213</ref> Knowing the science behind why bananas ripen is important for keeping them fresh, tasty, and edible. | + | {{fa}}Bananas turn brown for a variety of reasons. When you cut open a banana, the oxygen affects enzymes in the banana, turning the inside brown. When a banana turns brown on the outside, it is because the banana's yellow pigment is broken down and not replaced, producing a brown color.<ref name="rf1">http://scienceline.ucsb.edu/getkey.php?key=1213</ref> Knowing the science behind why bananas ripen is important for keeping them fresh, tasty, and edible. |
[[Category:Bananas]] | [[Category:Bananas]] | ||
[[Category:Food Preservation Techniques]] | [[Category:Food Preservation Techniques]] | ||
| Line 7: | Line 7: | ||
#Purchase bananas that are green on the ends and yellow in the middle. This means they are slightly under-ripe. | #Purchase bananas that are green on the ends and yellow in the middle. This means they are slightly under-ripe. | ||
#* Make sure the bananas have no brown spots or blemishes. Bruises and punctures leave the banana exposed to air, which speeds up the ripening process. | #* Make sure the bananas have no brown spots or blemishes. Bruises and punctures leave the banana exposed to air, which speeds up the ripening process. | ||
| − | #* Do not choose bananas that are already yellow. Bananas ripen at a rapid pace and their shelf-life is very short.<ref>http://brokensecrets.com/2010/02/03/how-to-accelerate-and-slow-banana-ripening/</ref> For this reason, you want to make sure you buy bananas that are on the greener side; this will give you more time to properly store your bananas before the ripening process occurs. | + | #* Do not choose bananas that are already yellow. Bananas ripen at a rapid pace and their shelf-life is very short.<ref name="rf2">http://brokensecrets.com/2010/02/03/how-to-accelerate-and-slow-banana-ripening/</ref> For this reason, you want to make sure you buy bananas that are on the greener side; this will give you more time to properly store your bananas before the ripening process occurs. |
#Store bananas at room temperature until they are ripe. Avoid exposing them to heat as this will speed up the ripening process. | #Store bananas at room temperature until they are ripe. Avoid exposing them to heat as this will speed up the ripening process. | ||
| − | #* Do not place bananas in the fridge before they are ripe. This can actually have a reverse effect and turn your banana peels brown faster. This occurs because the cold causes the cell walls to break down prematurely, which allows the production of melanin, turning bananas completely black. Contra-intuitively, the inside of the banana will still not be ripe since the cold inhibits the ripening process of the fruit.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/why-bananas-turn-brown_n_1306773.html</ref> | + | #* Do not place bananas in the fridge before they are ripe. This can actually have a reverse effect and turn your banana peels brown faster. This occurs because the cold causes the cell walls to break down prematurely, which allows the production of melanin, turning bananas completely black. Contra-intuitively, the inside of the banana will still not be ripe since the cold inhibits the ripening process of the fruit.<ref name="rf3">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/28/why-bananas-turn-brown_n_1306773.html</ref> |
| − | #Hang your bananas on a banana hanger. This prevents them from getting bruised and becoming exposed to air. You can also seal the stem of the banana bunch with plastic wrap.<ref>http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/health-splurges-save-you-money?page=3</ref> This limits the amount of oxygen the stem receives and can keep bananas fresh for another week. | + | #Hang your bananas on a banana hanger. This prevents them from getting bruised and becoming exposed to air. You can also seal the stem of the banana bunch with plastic wrap.<ref name="rf4">http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/health-splurges-save-you-money?page=3</ref> This limits the amount of oxygen the stem receives and can keep bananas fresh for another week. |
#Keep your bananas separate from other fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables give off a gas that speeds ripening. | #Keep your bananas separate from other fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables give off a gas that speeds ripening. | ||
#* Storing produce together can speed up the ripening process. Plants naturally produce a gas called ethylene, which causes them to ripen. Fruits or vegetables that are already brown give off more ethylene than normal, causing nearby fresh produce to ripen faster. | #* Storing produce together can speed up the ripening process. Plants naturally produce a gas called ethylene, which causes them to ripen. Fruits or vegetables that are already brown give off more ethylene than normal, causing nearby fresh produce to ripen faster. | ||
| Line 34: | Line 34: | ||
=== Over-Ripe Banana Recipes === | === Over-Ripe Banana Recipes === | ||
#Bake [[Make Banana Bread|banana bread]]. Just because you may not have saved all bananas from ripening doesn't mean you can't use them in tasty treats. | #Bake [[Make Banana Bread|banana bread]]. Just because you may not have saved all bananas from ripening doesn't mean you can't use them in tasty treats. | ||
| − | #* Banana bread is actually the sweetest and most flavorful when over-ripe bananas are used. For bananas considered a "lost cause," banana bread is usually the answer.<ref>http://thecookinggeek.com/banana-bread/</ref> | + | #* Banana bread is actually the sweetest and most flavorful when over-ripe bananas are used. For bananas considered a "lost cause," banana bread is usually the answer.<ref name="rf5">http://thecookinggeek.com/banana-bread/</ref> |
#* Bananas are actually edible longer than you might imagine. As long as your banana does not have mold, fruit flies, or traces of fruit fly eggs, it will most likely be edible regardless of its softness or blackness. | #* Bananas are actually edible longer than you might imagine. As long as your banana does not have mold, fruit flies, or traces of fruit fly eggs, it will most likely be edible regardless of its softness or blackness. | ||
#Blend a Biscoff banana apple smoothie. Throw your over-ripe bananas into the blender with a few other ingredients and create a tasty drink. | #Blend a Biscoff banana apple smoothie. Throw your over-ripe bananas into the blender with a few other ingredients and create a tasty drink. | ||
#* All you need is one over-ripe banana, half an apple peeled and cored, four Biscoff cookies (can be purchased at most grocery stores), a dash of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, one cup of milk, and a handful of ice cubes. | #* All you need is one over-ripe banana, half an apple peeled and cored, four Biscoff cookies (can be purchased at most grocery stores), a dash of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract, one cup of milk, and a handful of ice cubes. | ||
#* Place the banana, apple, and Biscoff cookies into the blender first and mix until smooth. Add the other ingredients and continue blending. You can continue adding milk until you've reached your desired consistency. | #* Place the banana, apple, and Biscoff cookies into the blender first and mix until smooth. Add the other ingredients and continue blending. You can continue adding milk until you've reached your desired consistency. | ||
| − | #* For added texture, add whole oats or blend them into the smoothie as well.] This will give your smoothie a crunchy element to offset the richness.<ref>http://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/2012/05/30/biscoff-banana-apple-smoothie/</ref> | + | #* For added texture, add whole oats or blend them into the smoothie as well.] This will give your smoothie a crunchy element to offset the richness.<ref name="rf6">http://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/2012/05/30/biscoff-banana-apple-smoothie/</ref> |
| − | #Freeze melted bananas into Bananas Foster Popsicles. Bananas Foster is a popular New Orleans dessert and is very simple to make.<ref>http://snappygourmet.com/2012/08/08/bananas-foster-popsicles/</ref> | + | #Freeze melted bananas into Bananas Foster Popsicles. Bananas Foster is a popular New Orleans dessert and is very simple to make.<ref name="rf7">http://snappygourmet.com/2012/08/08/bananas-foster-popsicles/</ref> |
#* You will need 2 large, very ripe bananas that have been thinly sliced; {{convert|2|UStbsp|ml|sigfig=3}} of brown sugar; {{convert|1|UStbsp|ml|adj=on|sigfig=3}} of butter; ½ teaspoon of cinnamon; 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt; ½ cup of milk; 1 teaspoon of vanilla; and 1 teaspoon of rum extract. | #* You will need 2 large, very ripe bananas that have been thinly sliced; {{convert|2|UStbsp|ml|sigfig=3}} of brown sugar; {{convert|1|UStbsp|ml|adj=on|sigfig=3}} of butter; ½ teaspoon of cinnamon; 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt; ½ cup of milk; 1 teaspoon of vanilla; and 1 teaspoon of rum extract. | ||
| − | #* First, add your bananas, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon to a small bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until the bananas are soft. Stir this mixture. Allow the bananas to cool, then add the mixture to a blender along with the Greek yogurt, milk, vanilla, and rum extract. Blend these ingredients. Pour the blended mixture into Popsicle molds and place them in the freezer for a few hours until they are completely frozen through. Pop them out of the Popsicle mold when you are ready to serve.<ref | + | #* First, add your bananas, brown sugar, butter, and cinnamon to a small bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals until the bananas are soft. Stir this mixture. Allow the bananas to cool, then add the mixture to a blender along with the Greek yogurt, milk, vanilla, and rum extract. Blend these ingredients. Pour the blended mixture into Popsicle molds and place them in the freezer for a few hours until they are completely frozen through. Pop them out of the Popsicle mold when you are ready to serve.<ref name="rf7" /> |
==Warnings== | ==Warnings== | ||
