Bananas can be kept fresher for longer by wrapping their stems in tin foil, a method that slows the ripening process and prevents rapid browning. The foil, which costs £1 at Morrisons or £1.09 at Aldi, works by trapping ethylene gas released from the stems.
Bananas typically last between two and six days at room temperature, depending on their ripeness when bought. Once fully ripe, they brown quickly and usually remain edible for only a few days before texture and flavour decline. Warmer conditions speed up ripening, so bananas may brown faster while temperatures stay mild.
How the foil hack works
Ethylene gas is a naturally occurring plant hormone that triggers and accelerates ripening. It converts starches into sugars and breaks down cell walls, changing the fruit's colour and texture. Bananas release most of this gas through their exposed stems, so covering the stems with tin foil contains the gas and slows the process.
Food Republic's online guidance on preventing rapid ripening says: "Compared to other fruits and veggies, bananas are one of the biggest producers of ethylene gas, a natural chemical compound that promotes ripening."
The guidance adds: "Wrapping the top of your bunch with aluminium helps to trap in some of the ethylene, so it won't escape into the atmosphere and touch the body of the bananas (or other produce you have sitting nearby, for that matter). This slows down browning and gives you more time to enjoy your bunch."
Alternatives and storage tips
Cling film can be used instead of tin foil if foil is unavailable, and both typically cost under £2 at most major supermarkets. Once stems are covered, bananas should be kept separate from other fruit, as the ethylene gas can make neighbouring fruits ripen and spoil faster.
Many fruits react to the gas given off by bananas, including apples, pears and passion fruit, while citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons are unaffected. Hanging bananas on a banana hook can help keep them apart from other produce and prevent bruising that occurs when they lean against a kitchen worktop.
