Bananas...

tyzer2001

...help!

I can't seem to find a good way to store bananas. I know that seems silly, but we seem to have a huge problem with fruit flies in this house if any fruit is left 'out'. Most things I keep in the fridge but I've been told bananas will go black if they're stored there.

I tried keeping them in the cupboard but the pesky fruit flies seem to be able to creep into the tiniest of cracks! Do I have to give up on bananas altogether?

angelcakes_3

wrap the banannas individually in tin foil and place in the fridge. They last longer and don't go black

geordie_lass_2

Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a ripe banana...

Lakeland do a banana storage bag for storing them in the fridge
http://www.lakeland.co.uk/F/keyword/banana+bag/product/12159

y5d

The skins do go black more quickly in the fridge, but the fruit inside doesn't get over-ripe.

BRYSER

I had a problem that by the end of the week I would usually have two or three left over which were starting to get a bit over-ripe. Just peel them and then freeze and when defrosted you can use them for smoothies or anything else you like. Saves on waste.

Rosie10_2

Bananas are best stored hanging, like they grow on the tree, although this wont stop the fruitflies i'm afraid. Also never store them near other fruit and veg as they emit a chemical that causes them to become over-ripe very quickly, unless u want something to ripen quickly so u can use it. Re fruit flies hang your nanas and cover in muslin or a similar material that allows them to breath but protects them from the little blighters. If that don't work i'm all out of suggestions!

tyzer2001

Thanks all - several options to try!

Clowance

lakeland banana bag ? its basically a cloth covered bubble wrap bag with a tie closure for keeping them in the fridge. Bananas stay at the level of ripeness they were at when you put them in the fridge, although after a few days the skins go black. Take them out a bit before you want to eat them. HTH

Teahfc

Arghhhhhhhhhhh Never store a Banana below 13 degrees !
They are triggered with ethylene to start the ripening process and buy smaller amounts more regular rather than store them :eek:

They are tropical products and do not care for the cold even with a bubble wrap jacket on them !

ailuro2

Have you tried hanging them on a tree but putting them in a sealed freezer bag first?

Or using a food umbrella over them?

Never mind, it will soon be too chilly for the flies to be out in any great number.

Rosie10_2

Careful guys nanas sweat in plastic and the ethylene (thank u it was on the tip of my tongue!) builds up causing them to overripen, u will smell it if you put them in a non-breathable bag, that's why i suggested muslin/thin material. When I studied my degree in professional culinary arts we were always told fridges and plastic were a complete no no (plastic also goes for any type of fruit/veg and meat), hanging recreates their natural 'position' for want of a better word so they like it (how a fruit knows where it is i'll never know but it seems to work!) but covering with anything that isn't breathable and has any entry points for those pesky flies just ain't gonna cut it.