I asked a greengrocer how to keep bananas fresh longer - 'absolutely avoid' 1 thing

You might well know the scenario: you pop into your local shop, buy a few bananas for the week, place them on the kitchen counter, and promise yourself you'll eat one a day to stay healthy. But then, you oversleep, rush out to work in the morning, and completely forget about your plan, only to return a few days later to find the fruit has turned black.

Bananas are among the most popular items purchased in UK supermarkets - yet they are also one of the most commonly wasted, thanks to their rapid ripening. Demand in the UK is high, with around four billion bananas bought last year, representing a 2.6 per cent increase on the previous year, according to Kantar Worldpanel data. Despite this, UK households throw away around one million bananas every day, according to the food waste charity WRAP. Retailers have tried various strategies to tackle the problem, including selling bundles of unripe bananas to help extend their shelf life.

If stored incorrectly, bananas may spoil within two to four days, but if stored correctly, they can last up to a week or even more.

Mattia Nezzera, Director at the Marvellous Greens & Beans greengrocer in London, said: "Bananas should be stored at room temperature - anything between ten to 17-18 degrees. They should absolutely not be put into a fridge, as in a matter of a day, they can turn black.

"Some people say if you cover the top of the bunch with foil, that can help to keep them even longer. But we definitely don't practise this by the stretch."

It is believed the technique should slow down the room-temperature ripening process because the stems release the ethylene gas.

He continued: "On the opposite side of it, if you want it to speed up ripening them, it would be good to keep them a paper bag. That will help to speed up the process of ripening."

Nezzera said bananas can be stored in a fruit basket. However, it is important to never store them next to apples, pears, avocados, or peaches,as these fruits release ethylene gas that can cause bananas to ripen more quickly. Instead, they should be kept on their own, away from heat and direct sunlight.