The claim that bananas last 10 days longer when stored with one kitchen item is a popular food-storage tip, but it is usually exaggerated. Bananas do ripen faster in a fruit bowl because they release ethylene gas, a natural ripening hormone. Trapping or reducing exposure to ethylene can slow ripening.
A common trick is:
- Wrap the banana stems with plastic wrap or reusable wrap to slow the release of ethylene from the stem area.
- Keep bananas away from other ripe fruits (especially apples, pears, and avocados), which also release ethylene.
- Separate the bananas from the bunch if you want individual bananas to ripen more slowly.
- Refrigerate ripe bananas to extend their usable life (the peel may turn dark, but the inside can remain good longer).
However, no single kitchen item is guaranteed to add exactly 10 extra days. The actual difference depends on the banana variety, temperature, humidity, and how ripe the bananas are when you buy them.
