Bananas must be transported over long distances from the tropics to world markets. To obtain maximum shelf life, harvest comes before the fruit is mature. The fruit requires careful handling, rapid transport to ports, cooling, and refrigerated shipping. The goal is to prevent the bananas from producing their natural ripening agent, ethylene. This technology allows storage and transport for 34 weeks at 13 °C(55 °F). On arrival, bananas are held at about 17 °C(63 °F) and treated with a low concentration of ethylene. After a few days, the fruit begins to ripen and is distributed for final sale. Unripe bananas can not be held in home refrigerators because they suffer from the cold. Ripe bananas can be held for a few days at home. If bananas are too green, they can be put in a brown paper bag with an apple or tomato overnight to speed up the ripening process.
Carbon dioxide (which bananas produce) and ethylene absorbents extend fruit life even at high temperatures. This effect can be exploited by packing banana in a polyethylene bag and including an ethylene absorbent, e.g., potassium permanganate, on an inert carrier. The bag is then sealed with a band or string. This treatment has been shown to more than double lifespans up to 34 weeks without the need for refrigeration.
-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 23rd of December 2012 06:50:06 AM
Sheba said
07:16 PM Dec 23, 2012
They're made of Polyester Vic. They have a Bubble-wrap type inner lining, between the walls of the Bag. Read on another Forum that effectiveness stops if all the bubbles are popped.
"When kept in the fridge, it provides Bananas with the exact amount of insulation and air needed to stop the flesh over-ripening, while keeping the skin warm enough to prevent it blackening.
Amazingly, the fruit will stay just as it should for around a fortnight --- twice its normal lifespan."
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 23rd of December 2012 09:31:15 PM
Duh said
08:34 AM Dec 24, 2012
Thanks Sheba,
Haven't seen them over here in the West, not to say someone isn't selling them here, sound like a good idea.
-- Edited by Duh on Monday 24th of December 2012 08:34:46 AM
turbopete said
05:02 PM Dec 24, 2012
I think that banana bags would be as popular with the supermarkets as a pork chop would be in a synagogue ,,,, sales would slump if customers used them,,,,,, my bananas go black after 3/4 days then have to be used as a banana milk shakes for the grandkids who would not drink the shake if they saw the black banana ,,,,, i suspect most would be thrown out when they go black,,,,,
Sheba said
03:59 AM Dec 25, 2012
First heard of them on another Forum. The contributer had bought them in Mitre 10 Hardware store in Emerald, Qld.
Anyone looking for Banana Bags in Rockhampton and surrounds, will find them at Howards Storage World, at Red Hill. $ 7.95. PH. 49-286-511.
I don't know what happened there. This started out in the Hints and Tips thread, then jumped to here.
Cheers,
Sheba.
What are the bags made of Sheba, are they a breathable material or some sort of plastic ????
This Wiki link makes for interesting reading, and includes this bit on storage also;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banana#Storage_and_transport
Storage and transport
Bananas must be transported over long distances from the tropics to world markets. To obtain maximum shelf life, harvest comes before the fruit is mature. The fruit requires careful handling, rapid transport to ports, cooling, and refrigerated shipping. The goal is to prevent the bananas from producing their natural ripening agent, ethylene. This technology allows storage and transport for 34 weeks at 13 °C (55 °F). On arrival, bananas are held at about 17 °C (63 °F) and treated with a low concentration of ethylene. After a few days, the fruit begins to ripen and is distributed for final sale. Unripe bananas can not be held in home refrigerators because they suffer from the cold. Ripe bananas can be held for a few days at home. If bananas are too green, they can be put in a brown paper bag with an apple or tomato overnight to speed up the ripening process.
Carbon dioxide (which bananas produce) and ethylene absorbents extend fruit life even at high temperatures. This effect can be exploited by packing banana in a polyethylene bag and including an ethylene absorbent, e.g., potassium permanganate, on an inert carrier. The bag is then sealed with a band or string. This treatment has been shown to more than double lifespans up to 34 weeks without the need for refrigeration.
-- Edited by Duh on Sunday 23rd of December 2012 06:50:06 AM
They're made of Polyester Vic. They have a Bubble-wrap type inner lining, between the walls of the Bag. Read on another Forum that effectiveness stops if all the bubbles are popped.
"When kept in the fridge, it provides Bananas with the exact amount of insulation and air needed to stop the flesh over-ripening, while keeping the skin warm enough to prevent it blackening.
Amazingly, the fruit will stay just as it should for around a fortnight --- twice its normal lifespan."
Cheers,
Sheba.
-- Edited by Sheba on Sunday 23rd of December 2012 09:31:15 PM
Thanks Sheba,
Haven't seen them over here in the West, not to say someone isn't selling them here, sound like a good idea.
-- Edited by Duh on Monday 24th of December 2012 08:34:46 AM
First heard of them on another Forum. The contributer had bought them in Mitre 10 Hardware store in Emerald, Qld.
Contact Details
Donaldson Enterprises
P.O. Box 7284 Hemmant QLD 4174
Phone: 07 3348 1111
Fax: 07 3348 1122
Email: sales@donaldson.com.au
I e-mailed them asking if there was a distributor in the Rockhampton area. Had a reply the next day. Anyone interested could do the same thing.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Thanks Sheba !
No worries Vic. Hope you find some. If not, I could always post you over a couple.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Thanks Sheba, my banana's don't last long enough for a bag so won't worry about any at this point of time, but do think they are a good idea.