Wrapping the stem of a banana in cling film can keep it fresh for up to five days longer than usual, according to life hack experts on social media. The simple method uses a kitchen staple that most households already have at home.
How the hack works
Bananas often go brown before they can be eaten as is. While brown bananas can be used for baking, such as banana bread, many people buy them to eat on their own or to add to porridge and smoothies. For those households, the trick can help extend the fruit's shelf life.
The hack was shared by YouTuber Vijaya Selvaraju, who takes a small piece of cling film and wraps it around the stem of the banana. The placement is important, as the stem is where the enzyme gas escapes, which speeds up the ripening process. Covering the stem slows this process down.
Other ways to keep bananas fresh
Commenters under the video said the hack worked for them. One person wrote: "It's amazing, I preserved bananas for 1 week easily. Very effective."
There are other methods too. Bananas should be kept out of direct sunlight and stored in a cool, dry spot in the kitchen. They should not be placed next to fruits like avocados, as the gases released by other fruit can speed up ripening in both directions. Some people chop bananas up and place them in jars, which they say can help them last an extra 26 days.
