Bananas are one of the most popular fruits around the world. They are affordable, easy to eat and contain important nutrients such as potassium, vitamin B6, vitamin C and dietary fibre. However, not every bunch of bananas you see at the market or in a store is worth buying.
Before you put bananas in your shopping basket, take a few seconds to examine them carefully. One major warning sign is visible mould, especially around the stem or on the skin.
Mould can appear as white, green, grey or black fuzzy patches. If you notice mould spreading across the banana, it is better to avoid buying it. Bananas with leaking liquid, a strong fermented or rotten smell, or extensive dark, wet and mushy areas should also be avoided.
Watch the stem
The stem is one of the first places where mould may develop. A small amount of browning on the stem does not necessarily mean the banana is unsafe, because bananas naturally darken as they ripen. However, fuzzy mould or obvious decay around the stem is a reason to choose another bunch...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
Be careful with badly damaged bananas
Small brown spots on the skin are usually normal and often indicate that the banana is becoming riper and sweeter.
The problem is when the fruit has large, sunken, wet or leaking areas accompanied by an unpleasant smell.
If the banana has been badly bruised and the flesh has become very soft and watery, it is better to leave it behind.
What about very ripe bananas?
A banana with a yellow skin covered in brown spots is not necessarily spoiled. In fact, ripe bananas are often sweeter because some of their starch has changed into sugar.
The key difference is between normal ripening and spoilage. Brown spots and a softer texture can be normal, while mould, a rotten smell, leaking liquid and extensive decay are warning signs.
How to choose good bananas
When buying bananas, look for fruit with:
Firm, intact skin
No visible mould
No leaking liquid
No deep or badly damaged bruises
No unpleasant or fermented smell
A colour appropriate for when you plan to eat them
If you want to eat them immediately, choose yellow bananas with a few brown spots. If you want them to last several days, choose bananas that are still slightly green.
The next time you buy bananas, don’t simply look at their colour. Check the stem, skin, smell and overall condition. A few seconds of inspection can help you avoid taking home fruit that has already started to spoil.
