Are Black Bananas Safe To Eat?

A day ago, you had perfectly ripe bananas sitting at room temperature in your fruit bowl, but now there are several black spots on the skin of the banana.

Worse, there are still a couple of even darker bananas on the counter from a few days ago that you haven’t used yet.

Are black bananas safe to eat? In general, bananas with dark spots or black color are safe to eat and can be used for cooking or baking. The exception is if a black banana’s skin is slimy or if the overripe fruit has a sour smell or bitter taste; then it should be discarded.

The safety of black bananas is something that people often wonder about. We all know that bananas come in a variety of colors.

They range from green to a yellow hue and up to brown bananas, but what about their dark counterparts – the black banana? Are these over-ripe fruits ready for consumption or are they dangerous?

In this blog post, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about black bananas – from what causes the banana skin to turn black in the first place to how you can safely eat them.

So buckle up and let’s get started!

Why Do Bananas Go Black So Quickly?

First, let’s talk about why this tropical fruit turns black in the first place. It all has to do with the ripening process.

As bananas ripen, their starches start to break down into simple sugars which gives them that sweet flavor we all know and love.

But as these starches continue to break down, they form melanin – a pigment that causes the banana peel to turn black.

The process of a banana turning black is actually quite fast.

As soon as the starches in the banana begin to break down, the melanin starts to form and spreads quickly throughout the peel.

This happens faster at higher temperatures and if there’s high humidity in the air.

So when you leave your bananas out for too long in warm weather or near a heat source, they’re more likely to turn black.

Another factor that affects the speed of a banana turning black is the type of banana.

Sweet bananas, for example, ripen faster than regular yellow bananas.

Because they have a high sugar content and less starch, the starches break down quicker and melanin forms more quickly – leading to a fully ripe banana with a black peel.

Finally, you’ll shorten their shelf life if you store your banana near other fruits, such as apples or pears.

It will ripen faster due to the release of high amounts of ethylene gas from these fruits. This gas speeds up the process of starch breaking down and melanin forming in the banana peel.

A banana keeper like this one can slow down the ripening process:

Black bananas may not look appetizing but they’re still safe to eat.

You can use them for a variety of recipes such as banana bread, protein shakes, banana muffins, smoothies, and even homemade ice cream.

Additionally, black bananas are also great for making sweet sauces that you can use in your cooking or baking.

No matter how black they may be, there’s no need to throw away your beloved banana – you simply have to get creative with it.

Is It OK To Cook With Black Bananas?

Yes, it’s absolutely okay to cook with black bananas!

When bananas ripen and become dark in color, they are said to be ‘overripe’. This means that the starch has broken down into simple sugars, making them sweeter and softer than when they were green.

Overripe bananas have a mushy texture and make sweet treats, like banana bread or muffins, extra moist and delicious. Here’s a recipe, if you want to try it out.

Overripe bananas can also be used for savory dishes such as curries, adding sweetness and flavor.

Furthermore, frozen overripe bananas are perfect for making dairy-free ice cream, smoothies, or banana pancakes — just let the banana thaw out before using it in your recipe.

Are Black Bananas Good For Banana Bread?

Yes! Black bananas are great for making banana bread recipes. These too-ripe bananas are extra sweet and have more moisture than unripe bananas.

The black areas that appear on the skin happen when the starches in the fruit have converted to sugars, which makes them sweeter and even more flavorful.

So don’t throw out those dark beauties – bake away!

Overall, black bananas are safe to eat as long as they don’t smell “off” or feel slimy.

You can use them for baking delicious treats like banana bread or muffins – just remember that their sweetness is intensified so you might want to reduce the added sugar in your recipe accordingly.

If you find yourself with too many ripe bananas, you could always freeze them for later use.

Peel the bananas before freezing them so that when you are ready to use them you can just pull out what you need and defrost it quickly.

Frozen bananas are great in smoothies, shakes and milkshakes as well as in baking recipes like muffins and cakes.

So next time your bananas go past their best, don’t panic – just get creative.

You can still enjoy those tasty treats and put your black bananas to good use.

Can Overripe Bananas Make You Sick?

While overripe bananas may not look as appetizing, they are in fact safe to eat.

They can still provide many of the same benefits as a ripe banana, with one key difference – their texture.

Overripe bananas tend to be softer and sweeter than regular yellow ones, due to their higher amount of natural sugar.

The only concern with eating an overripe banana is the potential for bacteria or mold that could have formed on its surface.

If you see any white spots on the skin, it’s best to discard the banana rather than risk ingesting something harmful.

Additionally, if your banana has been sitting out for too long without refrigeration it could have spoiled and should not be consumed.

When it comes to black bananas, there’s no harm in eating them!

In fact, they can make great additions to recipes like smoothies and banana bread.

By cooking with overripe bananas instead of throwing them away, you’ll get all the nutritional benefits without having to worry about their texture or flavor.

Plus, using up older fruit helps reduce food waste and keeps your kitchen organized with fresh ingredients on hand.

No matter what color your bananas are, they’re always a healthy snack option packed with vitamins and minerals, not to mention that they’re rich sources of potassium.

If you need an energy boost before heading out for the day, reach for a ripe banana – it will give you essential nutrients plus plenty of energy-sustaining carbohydrates.

Are cracked eggs safe to eat? Find out here.

How Do You Know If A Banana Is Rotten?

If a banana has started to rot, you’ll notice several signs.

• The peel might start to darken beyond the typical yellow color and may be speckled with brown spots or streaks.
• If you press on the outside of the peel, it will be soft and probably feel slimy.
• When you open a rotten banana, there is usually an unpleasant smell as well as a mushy texture in the center.

Another way to tell if your bananas are too far gone is by their taste.

Ripe bananas should have a sweet flavor, but rotten ones will usually have a sour or even bitter taste that no amount of sugar can fix.

Lastly, when bananas are too ripe for eating fresh, they don’t freeze well either, because the mushy texture will remain after thawing them.

Another thing to watch for in a banana is Black Center Syndrome.

According to an article on Foodandfizz.com, “Black Center Syndrome in bananas is caused by a fungus called Nigrospora fungus. Bananas with this syndrome generally look fresh and ripe with white flesh on the fruit, but there is a black core that can sometimes be crunchy when bitten into. It is best not to eat this black core because it could be a fungal infection. It does not mean the banana was overripe or rotten. The black core may also be caused by mishandling bananas in shipping.”

Fortunately, there are still plenty of options for overripe bananas (BUT NOT for rotten bananas, as you’ll see in the following section)!

As we’ve said in prior sections, you can use overripe bananas in banana bread or muffins, make dairy-free ice cream, pancakes or smoothies.

If you don’t feel like baking a sweet treat, you can even use overripe bananas to add flavor and sweetness to savory dishes such as curries.

So if you have black bananas on hand, there’s no need to worry! Get creative in the kitchen — they’re perfectly safe (and delicious) to eat.

What Do You Do With Rotten Black Bananas?

When a banana has gone so far that it is black and smells funny, this means it is rotten.

If a banana is only slightly overripe and still edible, then the black parts can be cut off and the rest of the banana can be eaten. However, if your banana is completely black with no parts of it that look safe to eat, then you should throw it away.

Unfortunately, rotten bananas cannot be used for baking because they don’t have enough flavor or sweetness. However, there are some creative uses for them!

One easy way to use them up is to turn them into fertilizer for your garden.

Put the banana (black peels and all) in a blender along with some water until it forms a thick paste — this can be added directly onto plants as an all-natural fertilizer.

At What Point Should I Not Eat A Banana?

As we’ve been saying, typically, black bananas are actually perfectly safe to eat, but the texture and taste may not be so desirable.

The longer the banana has been exposed to air, the more it will darken and the riper it will get.

This means that when you see a banana turning completely black, this is generally an indication that it is overripe as it has had too much time exposed to oxygen.

The good news is that, as long as your banana isn’t mushy or slimy, then it should be fine for consumption.

When in doubt about whether a banana has gone bad, give it a sniff. If it has an off-putting smell that’s sour or fermented, then it would be best to discard it.

You don’t want to take any health risks, so the best option is to be safe and toss it if it’s slimy or stinky.

Read more about general guidelines on food safety here.

Wrapping It Up

In conclusion, black bananas are perfectly safe to eat. While people may be tempted to throw them out due to the color, they can in fact be used in a variety of delightful recipes – from pies and muffins to banana bread.

As long as the banana does not have an off smell or feel slimy, it is good for consumption.

Just remember that their sweetness has been intensified so you might want to adjust your recipe accordingly.

So next time you spot some black bananas at the store, don’t hesitate – grab ‘em and get baking!

Other Articles You May Be Interested In

Are Double Yolk Eggs Safe To Eat?

Are Expired Crescent Rolls Safe To Eat?

How To Organize Your Fridge For Food Safety

Are Expired Crescent Rolls Safe To Eat?

This article has affiliate or sponsored links. If you buy something through those links I may earn a small commission. This won’t cost you extra. I only recommend things I really think are good, not just to make money. For more details, see my Affiliate Disclaimer.