The best way I've found is to buy them pretty green and don't buy too many. I've seperated them from other fruit, hung them on banana hangers and everyother old wives tale I've heard. Bottom line is they get ripe pretty fast so just don't buy too many and buy them when they are still green. Also you can eat them faster.
The advice to buy them green is exactly right, but once you do purchase them, there are some other things you should do as well.
Definitely purchase a banana hanger to keep on your counter; it helps to prevent bruising and keeps air circulating. Bananas like it cool and that's why in warmer climates or during the summer, they tend to ripen more quickly. After they are ripe, place them in your refrigerator. While the skin will darken and not look attractive, the bananas themselves will stay firm longer.
While these tactics will help, the main point to remember is that bananas do not have a long shelf life so buy in small quantity and know there are ways to use over-ripened bananas from banana nut bread to fruit smoothies. Let your imagination be your guide and be creative.
Hope this helps!
If you want to use your bananas in smoothies, you can freeze them when they are ripe (peeled, in a tupperware): they will still make great smoothies! And if you use ice, you can skip it or use less.
I have had some luck with separating them when I bring them home. Here is some more adivice: http://bananasweb.com/bananas/How+to+Store+and+Select+Bananas
I separate the individual bananas from the bunch and keep them away from other fruits and veggies...this seems to add 3 to 4 days before they start turning.
I put them straight into the refrigerator. The skins will go black, but they will ripen more slowly.
Also keep in mind that whenever you want to RIPEN fruit, you should put it near already ripened fruit. So if you DON'T want fruit to ripen as quickly, you should keep it away from already ripened fruit.
Answers
September 8, 2010
The best way I've found is to buy them pretty green and don't buy too many. I've seperated them from other fruit, hung them on banana hangers and everyother old wives tale I've heard. Bottom line is they get ripe pretty fast so just don't buy too many and buy them when they are still green. Also you can eat them faster.
September 9, 2010
The advice to buy them green is exactly right, but once you do purchase them, there are some other things you should do as well.
Definitely purchase a banana hanger to keep on your counter; it helps to prevent bruising and keeps air circulating. Bananas like it cool and that's why in warmer climates or during the summer, they tend to ripen more quickly. After they are ripe, place them in your refrigerator. While the skin will darken and not look attractive, the bananas themselves will stay firm longer.
While these tactics will help, the main point to remember is that bananas do not have a long shelf life so buy in small quantity and know there are ways to use over-ripened bananas from banana nut bread to fruit smoothies. Let your imagination be your guide and be creative.
Hope this helps!
September 9, 2010
If you want to use your bananas in smoothies, you can freeze them when they are ripe (peeled, in a tupperware): they will still make great smoothies! And if you use ice, you can skip it or use less.
September 10, 2010
I have had some luck with separating them when I bring them home. Here is some more adivice: http://bananasweb.com/bananas/How+to+Store+and+Select+Bananas
September 11, 2010
i live in a tropical country with lots of bananas.
we just separate them from other fruits.
don't put them inside the refrigerator.
September 11, 2010
I separate the individual bananas from the bunch and keep them away from other fruits and veggies...this seems to add 3 to 4 days before they start turning.
September 11, 2010
I put them straight into the refrigerator. The skins will go black, but they will ripen more slowly.
Also keep in mind that whenever you want to RIPEN fruit, you should put it near already ripened fruit. So if you DON'T want fruit to ripen as quickly, you should keep it away from already ripened fruit.