Why do bananas get bruised as they age?
By Lifez2short
@Lifez2short (4962)
United States
June 12, 2007 5:24pm CST
Bananas do not bruise as they age, unless they are mishandled.
Liken the black spots on bananas to the liver spots on mature adults…they appear with age, even if they go untouched. The hormone ethylene, a ripening agent found in the skin of the banana, transforms a green banana into the appealing yellow fruit we purchase at the market.
Ethylene, however, continues the ripening process, which gives the banana a "bruised" appearance, and eventually turns the banana black in color. There is no switch to turn off this process, but by placing the banana in a cool place, one can slow the process. The refrigerator is no place for a banana, because this is certain to blacken it prematurely. The cold air, to which the banana is exposed, causes the production of blackening compounds known as polyphenals.
http://www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/banana.asp
1 person likes this
2 responses
@KrisNY (7590)
• United States
14 Jun 07
well that is something I didn't know- I won't eat them once they start to turn- Just gross to me- So I eat them up right away- We buy bananas twice a week- My daughter loves them for breakfast with her cereal- She is like me- Will only eat them when they are pretty yellow! What I hate is when they are yellow- and you open them up and they look fine- until you take that first bite- and they are balck in the middle- GROSS!
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@brothertuck (1257)
• United States
12 Jun 07
And when the banana gets to that point, the bruised look, they are great for banana bread or muffins. If you do bake or know someone who does, the best thing to do it peal them and mash them together and put them in a freezer bag and into the freezer. I'm not sure how long they will last but you can thaw them and bake what you want.
Banana pancakes are good too.
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