If you buy bananas in bulk, it is important to know how to ripen them. As delicious as they are when they are yellow, green bananas will take some time to ripen. Fortunately, there are some simple tricks to hasten the process so that you can enjoy them sooner. Read on for tips on how to get your green bananas to ripen!
What Causes Bananas to Ripen?
To understand how to get green bananas to ripen, it is essential to know what causes bananas to ripen in the first place. Bananas, like other fruits, contain a naturally-occurring plant hormone called ethylene which initiates ripening. Ethylene signals the fruit to produce enzymes that break down the starch inside the fruit into sugar and softens the fruit until it’s fully ripe.
1. Why Unripe Bananas Are Hard to Digest?
Green bananas are made primarily of starch, making them hard to digest when unripe. When you eat bananas that are too “young,” starches cannot be absorbed properly which can cause constipation, bloating, and gas. However, as the banana ripens, the starche breaks down into simple sugars, which can be easily digested by your body.
2. Keep Bananas at Room Temperature
Keeping bananas at room temperature is the most straightforward and natural way to ripen them. Temperatures between 16°C to 27°C / 60°F to 70°F are considered the optimum temperature for ripening. The warmer the temperature, the faster the ripening process occurs.
3. Encourage Ripening with a Brown Paper Bag
If you want to rapidly ripen green bananas, place them in a brown paper bag. Bananas naturally produce ethylene, gas that helps fruit ripen. When enclosed in a paper bag, the ethylene accumulates around the fruit, speeding up the ripening process.
4. Use an Oven or Dry Heater to Ripen Bananas
If you don’t want to wait for your bananas to ripen naturally, you can accelerate the process by using an oven or a dry heater. Place unpeeled bananas on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and put them in the oven at 150°C / 300°F for approximately 20-30 minutes.
5. Combine Bananas with Other Fruits
You can also ripen bananas by placing them in a bowl with other fruits such as apples, kiwis, or avocados, that produce plenty of ethylene gas naturally. Put them in a brown paper bag or place them in a fruit bowl together.
6. Separate Bananas to Control Their Ripening
You can control the ripening process by separating your bananas. To slow down the process, out your bananas in a different place or container from other fruits or ripening bananas. This method is particularly helpful if you want to spread out the ripening process over a few days.
7. Controlled Ripening Using the Fridge
We do not advise using the fridge to ripen bananas, but you can use it to control their ripening. Ripe bananas tend to spoil quickly when refrigerated. However, when you place green bananas in the fridge, they will stop ripening. Placing your green bananas in the fridge will not accelerate the ripening process, but it will stop the bananas from ripening further.
Conclusion
Knowing how to get green bananas to ripen can prevent fruit wastage and save yourself money, energy, time and frustration. The above tips are tried and tested methods for ripening bananas faster, so use one or more until you get the desired result!
Common Questions and Answers
- Q: How can I tell when my bananas are ready to eat?
- A: Look for brown spots or patches on the skin of the banana. This indicates that the fruit is ripe and ready to eat.
- Q: Can green bananas be eaten?
- A: Yes, green bananas can be eaten, but they tend to be hard, starchy and difficult to digest. It is better to wait until the banana ripens before eating it.
- Q: How long does it take for bananas to ripen naturally?
- A: Bananas take between 2 and 7 days to ripen naturally at room temperature, depending on the temperature, humidity, and other conditions.
- Q: How many bananas should I ripen at once?
- A: You can ripen as many bananas as you have as long as you have enough space and ripe fruits such as apples to help accelerate the ripening process.
References
1. How to Ripen Bananas Fast
2. How to Ripen Bananas Fast with a Brown Paper Bag
3. How to Ripen Fruit