How to Tell If Bananas Are Bad

Signs Bananas have gone bad

1. Mold on the peel or at the stem. White, gray, or green fuzz, especially around the crown, means mold. Throw the banana out, since mold can spread into the fruit.
2. Leaking or oozing liquid. A peel that’s wet, sticky, or leaking sugary liquid indicates the fruit inside has broken down. Toss it.
3. Fermented, sour, or alcohol smell. Overripe bananas smell sweet. A sharp, boozy, or vinegar-like odor means fermentation has gone too far.
4. Black, wet, slimy flesh. Peel it. If the fruit is gray-brown or black, watery, and slimy rather than just soft, discard it.
5. Fruit flies swarming. A cloud of fruit flies means the banana is deep into decay. Inspect it and throw it out if it’s leaking or has soft, wet spots.
6. Sour or bitter taste. Overripe should taste very sweet. A sour or bitter flavor means it’s not worth eating.

Looks weird, but it's fine

• Brown or black spots on the peel. Those sugar spots mean the banana is ripe and sweet. If the flesh is clean and has no sour smell, it’s great for eating or baking.
• Soft, mushy texture. Soft but not wet or fermented means overripe, which is ideal for banana bread, pancakes, or smoothies.
• Black peel but normal flesh. A fully black peel can still hide good fruit. Check the inside, and if it’s cream colored with a sweet smell, you can use it.

How long do Bananas last?

How to store them

• Keep bunches on the counter away from other fruit, since bananas release ethylene that ripens things around them.
• Wrap the stems in plastic wrap to slow ripening slightly, or separate the bananas.
• Freeze overripe bananas peeled in a bag for smoothies and baking.

Use it up before it turns

Brennan's Bananas Foster Magnolia Bakery Banana Pudding (The Famous West Village Recipe, Made at Home) 'Ohana Bread Pudding with Banana Foster Sauce Starbucks Iced Banana Bread Chai Tea Latte

Frequently asked questions

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