Bananas are among those food items which have a habit of going off remarkably quickly, yet they are also one of the most frequently bought products for millions of households across the UK. The potassium-packed yellow fruit tends to become overripe incredibly fast, developing unsightly brown spots and eventually turning completely black on the outside if not kept properly. Often, the fruit also deteriorates from within in such situations.
The Solution: Freeze Your Bananas
Fortunately, one of Britain's largest supermarkets, Tesco, has revealed a little-known storage trick to dramatically boost the lifespan of bananas. According to the specialists, the hidden secret is simply to freeze them. The Tesco website states: "Freezers are the most efficient when they are full, so make the most of the space to prevent food waste and have ingredients ready to go."
Courtney Pallett, Tesco campaigns manager, shared the hack: "Your freezer is your friend when it comes to reducing food waste and avoiding throwing food away. Most of the foods that often end up in the bin such as bananas and avocados can be saved by freezing them to use later."
How to Freeze Bananas Properly
The solution is straightforward according to Tesco: "Peel ripe bananas and freeze whole or in slices. These can be used straight from the freezer, perfect for cold, thick smoothies or snacking on." Some people reckon you do not even have to peel the bananas before placing them in the freezer, as that stage can be completed once you retrieve them from the ice box.
A food influencer has backed up Tesco's guidance, revealing her own personal expert tips on how to store the fruit properly. Lisa Bryan (@downshiftology) explains in the caption of her viral storage hack: "It's quick and easy to freeze bananas, and bonus - they may even encourage you to make more healthy recipes in the future!"
Three Methods from a Food Influencer
In a video, Lisa explains: "If you accidentally bought too many bananas - we have all been there - this is how you freeze them for future use." She shares three methods she uses to store her 'surplus' bananas:
- Halves: Freeze bananas in halves as it is the perfect amount for a single-serving smoothie. Place them on a parchment-lined tray and pop them in the freezer for a couple of hours before storing away.
- Slices: Slice the bananas into rounds, arrange them onto a parchment-lined tray, and freeze.
- Mashed: Mash the bananas and pour them into moulds, such as a 'supercube' ice tray. Bananas preserved this way are ideal for whipping up banana bread later.
After a few hours, the frozen bananas from all three methods can be transferred into a resealable freezer bag and kept until needed.
