A great source of potassium, vitamin C and fiber, bananas remain the world's favorite fruit. Over 55,000,000 tons are eaten worldwide each year. The average American eats 27 pounds of bananas a year and Europeans love them as well. No wonder bananas have been called the world's perfect food! There is no doubt that bananas are in demand all over the world.

Harvest
Grown in Honduras as well as other tropical regions around the world, a banana plant can grow to full size in about nine months, providing on average 240 bananas per plant. Once cut from their stem, the starch from this nutritious fruit begins to turn into sugar. Although green when harvested, bananas are shipped in refrigerated containers to slow ripening and once removed from cool temperature begin to turn yellow.

How to Store
For gradual ripening, banana should be stored at room temperature. To speed the ripening process, store it warmer temperatures. Refrigerate to slow ripening. Green bananas can also be placed in a brown paper bag, in a warm dry area away from direct sunlight to encourage ripening.