The Best Banana Holder Stand

Buying Guide

Bananas are sensitive fruits. It doesn’t take much to bruise them, and once bruised, they likely don’t have the fresh taste you’re looking for. If you can prolong the period between when bananas ripen and when they start spoiling, you’ll maximize the time to enjoy your favorite fruit.

When a fruit ripens, they release a gas called ethylene. That gas is what starts to soften a fruit and make it more palatable. Bananas emit more ethylene, by far, than any other fruit.

That ethylene emission is what gives bananas their sweet taste. But it also shortens the fruit’s shelf life, which is why you always saw so many loaves of banana bread when you visited your older relatives as a kid. Once bananas start to lose their viability, they can be easily sliced and mixed into various recipes.

A banana holder can extend that time between a banana ripening and going bad, lengthening its shelf life. The key to making your bananas last longer is to keep air circulating around them, and a banana holder is the best way to do that. It holds them above the counter, as well as above any other fruits you have in your kitchen.

But not all banana holders are created equal. You’ll want to look for one that will hold the quantity of bananas you typically buy. If you sometimes only have one or two, you might want to look for one that can hold a single banana.

Some fruit bowls have removable banana hooks. This allows you to use only the fruit bowl and store the hook elsewhere on the weeks you don’t want bananas. If you have a fruit bowl already, you can find banana hangers that match to keep your décor well coordinated.

• Most banana hooks can be cleaned by wiping with a wet, damp cloth. Don’t put a banana hook in the dishwasher unless the directions specifically state you can.
• Pay close attention to the base of the banana hanger. You’ll want one that is balanced enough to hold a bunch of bananas without tipping over.
• If you’re keeping your banana holder in the kitchen, chances are, it will be exposed to plenty of moisture. Look for one that has rust resistance built into the design to ensure it will hold up as long as possible.
• It’s important to keep bananas stored in a dark, cool place. If your kitchen is constantly basked in sunlight and tends to be warm most of the day, your dining room table might be a better option.
• You can store bananas in the refrigerator, but keep in mind that they’ll stop ripening once you set them inside. It’s best to make sure they’re already ripe when you refrigerate them.
• Keeping banana slices fresh can be a challenge. If you’re making a fruit salad or dessert that calls for banana slices, sprinkling a little lemon juice or pineapple juice on them can keep them fresh longer and prevent browning.
• The best way to enjoy delicious bananas longer is to buy them before they ripen. If you bring them home while they’re still green, you can hang them at room temperature in a not-too-bright room and wait a few days for them to ripen.
• Overripe bananas can be great in your favorite recipes. For decades, handy cooks have used overripe bananas to make banana bread, banana pudding and pies that include bananas.
• If you’ve been peeling bananas starting at the stem, you could be inadvertently bruising the bottom of the banana. The peel separates easier if you pull it back from the end that many consider the bottom. This also makes it easier to get rid of the peel when you’re finished eating.