Bananas are the perfect healthy snack, but they’re notorious for going bad quickly (Image: Getty)
Bananas are a true snack staple for so many people – they’re , easy to eat on the go, and they’re great for adding to your breakfast dishes too.
But keeping bananas for as long as possible can be a challenge, especially when they seem to ripen overnight, often leaving them too brown or bruised to eat.
While this is ideal for , it’s not great if you just want to eat the fruit there and then.
Thankfully, storage expert Scott Evans from has shared a simple, affordable hack that can make a big difference when it comes to keeping your fruit fresh.
It costs as little as 50p, so it won’t break the bank either.
Bananas can become too ripe overnight, and they’re not pleasant to eat (Image: Getty)
The trick is using a self-adhesive hook typically used for hanging picture frames. You can pick up a pack of 10 from for £5, which works out at just 50p per hook.
This hack is a clever solution that can help your bananas last longer by improving how they’re stored.
Scott said: “Bananas often get bruised when they are left in the fruit bowl as heavier fruits can lean on them. When you hang them up you can reduce the chance of bruising and slow down the ripening process by allowing air to flow around the fruit.”
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The best part about this hack is that it’s perfect for both homeowners and renters, as it requires no drilling or complicated installation.
Scott said: “You’re going to need a self-adhesive hook, the ones you would use to hang picture frames, these can be found online or in a local hardware store, all you need is one that is strong enough to support your bananas.
“Next you can stick your hook either to the wall or inside your kitchen cabinet, the cooler and darker the space the better as keeping your fruit away from direct sunlight and heat will help your bananas to stay fresher for longer.
“Once your hook is set up, you can hang your bananas by their stems where they are far less likely to get bruised and ripen so quickly.”
As your bananas ripen they give off a gas called Ethylene. Ethylene gas is a natural plant hormone which is responsible for the changes in colour, texture and sweetness of your banana as it ripens.
Scott explained: “The more ethylene gas that your bananas are exposed to the quicker they will ripen and if they ripen too quickly you more than likely will have to throw them out, to cut back on your food waste you will want to slow this food ageing process as much as possible.
“When your bananas are stored on the countertop or in a fruit bowl the gas can become trapped around the fruit as airflow is limited.
“This causes a ripening loop where the gas builds up and accelerates the process further, by hanging your bananas you ensure better air circulation allowing the ethylene gas to disperse naturally.”