When you slice bananas, they can start to turn brown really fast, which isn’t nice to look at or eat. This happens because of something called oxidation, but the good news is that there are lots of simple things you can do to make sure your bananas stay nice and yellow for a longer time. If you know how to prepare and store them right, you can have tasty banana slices whenever you like.
Table of Contents
- Why Do Bananas Go Brown?
- How to Stop Bananas from Browning by Keeping Oxygen Away
- 1. Put Banana Slices in Water
- 2. Brush Slices with Citrus Juice
- 3. Use Plastic Wrap
- 4. Vacuum Seal Your Bananas
- Other Ways to Slow Down Oxidation
- 5. Cover with Yogurt
- 6. Pour Some More Lemon or Lime Juice
- 7. Mix Bananas with Other Acidic Fruits
- 8. Add a Little Spice
- 9. A Small Dash of Salt
- 10. Freeze for Later
- 11. Use Honey
- 12. Eat Them Quickly
Why Do Bananas Go Brown?
Bananas have something in them called polyphenol oxidase. When a banana is cut and this enzyme comes into contact with the oxygen in the air, it produces melanin, which makes the banana turn brown. This is the same stuff that makes apples go brown too. The more a banana is exposed to air, the faster it will brown.
How to Stop Bananas from Browning by Keeping Oxygen Away
The key to keeping your cut bananas looking fresh is to not let them touch too much air. There are a few ways you can do this:
1. Put Banana Slices in Water
Place your sliced bananas in a bowl of cool water to keep them from touching the air. The water acts like a shield. For even better results, change the water once in a while. Putting a little bit of lemon juice in the water also helps keep the bananas looking good.
2. Brush Slices with Citrus Juice
Adding some lemon, lime, or orange juice to your banana slices can help a lot because the acid in the juice slows down browning. This trick also helps keep the slices fresh for a bit longer and adds a nice citrus flavor. If you’re going to store them, add a little bit of juice just before you put them in the fridge.
3. Use Plastic Wrap
Covering your banana slices with plastic wrap and pressing it down to get rid of air will help a lot too. When you put them in the fridge, make sure the wrap touches the bananas. If the wrap gets brown, change it.
4. Vacuum Seal Your Bananas
For the best results, use a vacuum sealer to store the slices in bags. This takes away almost all the air and is great for keeping them fresh. Vacuum sealing is also a great choice if you want to freeze your banana slices.
Other Ways to Slow Down Oxidation
If you use foods that are acid, like some fruits or yogurt, this can create a less friendly environment for the browning enzymes. This means your bananas will stay yellow and fresh longer. Here’s how:
5. Cover with Yogurt
Putting yogurt on your sliced bananas can be a big help too. Yogurt has lactic acid which makes things difficult for the browning enzymes, and it also sticks well to the slices, keeping the air out.
6. Pour Some More Lemon or Lime Juice
A bit of lemon or lime juice can give your bananas some antioxidant protection, which makes them go brown slower. Try adding just enough juice to cover the slices, and keep them covered and in the fridge.
7. Mix Bananas with Other Acidic Fruits
When you mix banana slices with fruits like strawberries, raspberries, pineapples, or apples, which have a lot of acid, it helps the bananas stay yellow for longer.
8. Add a Little Spice
Spices not only make things taste better, but they also have antioxidants that help slow down browning. Try adding a sprinkle of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, or turmeric.
9. A Small Dash of Salt
A little bit of salt in the water where you keep your banana slices can prevent them from getting brown. Salt reacts with oxygen, keeping it away from the bananas.
You can also directly sprinkle a tiny bit of salt on the cut bananas to slow down the browning process.
10. Freeze for Later
If you have too many banana slices to eat right away, you can always freeze them. Just spread them out on a tray with parchment paper and don’t let them touch each other. After they freeze, put them in a container or bag that doesn’t let air in. Frozen banana slices are great for smoothies, desserts, and baking.
11. Use Honey
Honey is sweet and it’s also good for keeping things fresh, including your banana slices. Brush a light layer of honey where the banana is sliced to help protect them from browning and make them a bit sweeter at the same time. Honey can also stop germs from making the bananas spoil too quickly.
12. Eat Them Quickly
The most simple thing you can do is just eat your banana slices soon after you cut them. All these tips are helpful, but the longer your bananas sit around, the more likely they’ll start to brown. If you enjoy them quickly you’ll get the freshest taste!
To wrap things up, keeping your cut bananas looking good is easy with these handy ideas. Each tip, from using lemon juice to a touch of honey, has its own way of making your bananas last longer. So pick the way you like best, and enjoy your bananas looking and tasting fresh!
