07/04/2025
Why Bananas Last Longer in Stores Than at Home — Here's the Simple Truth
Ever noticed how bananas seem to stay fresh forever in the supermarket, but once you bring them home, they ripen like they’re in a hurry?
Here’s what’s really going on:
1. They’re Kept Cool: Bananas are picked while they’re still green and stored in cool rooms — around 13 to 14°C — to slow down ripening. Your kitchen is usually much warmer, and that heat makes them ripen faster.
2. Gas Matters: Bananas give off something called ethylene gas, which speeds up ripening. Supermarkets know how to manage that gas so the bananas stay firm longer. At home, that gas builds up and makes the whole bunch ripen quicker.
3. Handled with Care: Before they reach the shelf, bananas go through a well-planned system — from farm to cold storage to store display. Once they leave that controlled environment, it’s only natural they start changing faster.
4. No Waxy Tricks: Unlike apples, bananas aren’t coated with wax. It’s all about keeping them in the right conditions, not using additives or coatings.
At Tonkella Food Bank, we’re not just about food processing and exportation — we’re about sharing what we’ve learned so you can enjoy it better.
Quick Tip: Want to slow things down? Keep your bananas in a cool spot, away from other fruits.
