Overview

• New guidance amplified this week cites expert Mandy Applegate recommending that bananas be kept out of fruit bowls and away from heat sources.
• Covering the stems with plastic wrap or aluminum foil is promoted as a simple way to slow room‑temperature ripening, with some outlets claiming an extra 10–14 days of freshness.
• Retail practice reflects the tip, as grocery stores sometimes wrap banana stems during transport and display to limit ethylene movement.
• Independent tests referenced by outlets, including Daily Meal, reported mixed results, indicating only slight or inconsistent gains from stem wrapping.
• Storage conditions such as cooler, dry locations remain critical, and some reports frame foil as a low‑cost option, noting rolls available for about $2 at Walmart.