Aldi shares simple storage method to stop bananas going brown and mushy

Aldi has shared advice on how to stop bananas going brown and mushy as a food storage expert explains the right method to do it

Budget supermarket giant Aldi has shared vital guidance for banana buyers on how to prevent the fruit from turning brown and soft. The retailer, which was once again crowned the UK’s cheapest supermarket in April, has previously released tips aimed at helping shoppers keep their food fresher for longer.

It joined forces with food storage specialist Kate Hall to advise customers on the best ways to preserve everyday staples, including milk, potatoes and bananas.

The initiative follows research by the supermarket chain revealing that the average Brit discards £387 worth of food annually, with seven in 10 admitting they purchase food fully expecting to throw it away, reports the Express.

For those buying bananas, Kate recommends a straightforward method to extend their shelf life and prevent them from browning or becoming mushy — simply slicing them up and popping them into the freezer.

Kate said: “Let’s face it, we can’t always make banana bread every time a bunch gets past its best. But if you can spare 30 seconds to peel, slice and freeze bananas, you can avoid them going to waste.

“Just spread them out on a lined tray before freezing so that they don’t clump together, and then store them in a resealable freezer bag. These are perfect for making banana ice cream or chocolate peanut butter bites!

“You can use the same approach to save lots of other fruits and veggies too, for example, cucumbers can be sliced and frozen to be used instead of ice cubes, added to smoothies, or even blitzed into a refreshing sorbet.”

She added: “Using your freezer is such a simple way to press pause on your food so it doesn’t end up in the bin. Freezing food can help our budgets stretch further, and you can actually freeze a lot more than people realise. The trick is knowing the best way to freeze food and what to do with it after freezing.”

Luke Emery of Aldi UK said: “At Aldi, we’re committed to reducing food waste wherever we can across our supply chain, whether that be working with suppliers to cut down on waste, or marking down prices of items nearing their sell by date.

“Now we’re on a mission to help shoppers minimise their food waste too, while getting even more value from their Aldi groceries at the same time. It seems simple, but the research shows that freezing items still isn’t something many do – so we want to showcase just how easy that can be.”