UK households are being advised to store bananas with cling film during the July heatwave to prevent rapid spoilage. The warm weather accelerates the ripening process, leading to waste and attracting flies. Michèle Borer from storage experts Bins and Boxes explains that wrapping the stem of a banana in cling film, tin foil, or a beeswax cloth can significantly slow down ripening.
Why bananas spoil faster in summer
Bananas ripen through the release of ethylene, a natural ripening gas. According to Borer, ethylene has a particularly strong effect at high temperatures. Bananas release more ethylene in hot weather, causing them to spoil quicker. This gas also affects nearby fruit, potentially causing them to rot prematurely. The smell of fermenting fruit attracts flies, which can become a persistent problem in the home during summer.
The cling film method
Borer advises: “Wrap the stem of the banana in cling film or a beeswax cloth to slow down the ripening process.” The stem is the primary source of ethylene release. By covering it, the gas is contained, reducing the speed of ripening. Tin foil is also effective, but baking paper should be avoided as it is too breathable and allows ethylene to escape.
Additional storage tips
Keeping bananas separate from other fruit can also help. Bananas emit more ethylene than most fruits, so storing them away from a fruit bowl can extend the freshness of other produce. A kitchen worktop away from other fruit is ideal. With the cling film method, bananas can stay fresh for at least a week longer, and up to two weeks depending on kitchen temperature.
