Should spotted bananas be eaten?
Many people avoid bananas with black spots, thinking they are spoiled.
TL;DR
- Black spots on bananas indicate ripeness, not spoilage.
- The spots appear as starch converts to sugar during ripening, making the banana sweeter and softer.
- These spots are caused by the enzyme tyrosinase and are a normal part of the ripening process.
- Bananas with black spots are safe to eat and often sweeter than perfectly yellow ones.
- They are ideal for use in smoothies, banana bread, pancakes, cakes, or oatmeal.
- A banana should only be discarded if its peel is almost entirely black, it has an unpleasant odor, or the inside is slimy and very dark.