As a food science expert, I've been involved in the study and analysis of various food products, including fruits like bananas. The question of whether organic bananas are still "gassed" is an interesting one, and it's important to clarify what this term means in the context of fruit ripening.

Firstly, let's understand the process of fruit ripening. Fruits, including bananas, naturally produce a gas called ethylene. This is a plant hormone that is responsible for triggering the ripening process. As fruits ripen, they release ethylene, which in turn causes them to change color, soften, and develop their characteristic flavors and aromas.

Now, when we talk about bananas being "gassed" in the context of non-organic bananas, it typically refers to the use of synthetic ethylene gas to artificially speed up the ripening process. This is done to ensure that bananas reach the market at the right stage of ripeness. The synthetic ethylene is sprayed onto the bananas to mimic the natural ripening process.

Organic bananas, on the other hand, are not treated with synthetic ethylene gas. Instead, they rely on their natural ability to produce and release ethylene as part of their ripening process. This means that organic bananas ripen at a pace that is more aligned with their natural cycle, without the need for artificial intervention.

However, it's important to note that organic bananas can still be influenced by the ethylene produced by other fruits. When bananas are stored with other fruits that release ethylene, such as apples or tomatoes, they can ripen more quickly due to the increased levels of ethylene in the environment. This is why placing bananas in a plastic bag with other fruits can speed up the ripening process, as the ethylene gas is trapped and concentrated around the bananas.

The practice of using plastic bags to ripen bananas is not unique to organic bananas; it can be used with both organic and non-organic varieties. The key difference is that organic bananas are not subjected to synthetic ethylene gas treatments.

In conclusion, organic bananas are not "gassed" with synthetic ethylene gas, but they do release natural ethylene as part of their natural ripening process. The use of plastic bags to ripen bananas can be effective for both organic and non-organic varieties, as it concentrates the natural ethylene gas released by the bananas and other fruits. It's a simple and natural method to control the ripening process and ensure that bananas reach the desired level of ripeness.

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Non-organic bananas are sprayed with synthetically made ethylene gas to make them ripen more quickly. Organic bananas are not sprayed but release natural ethylene gas themselves, as many fruits do, as part of the ripening process. Put in a plastic bag the bananas ripen more quickly, enveloped in the gases they release.Nov 3, 1991read more >>