I am sort of picky when it comes to food. An example is bananas: I prefer mine ripe. When I say "ripe" I mean very little green if any and a mushier banana consistency, not so mushy that it falls off the peel from its own weight, but more sweet/sugary than the really green ones that are still too solid (I dislike the consistency of the green ones). So anyway, my idea is for an appliance that expediates the ripening process.
I have done some initial research and learned that refrigeration slows the ripening process (which doesn't help me) and that placing a banana in a brown paper bag in a warm dry area (for a 1-2 days) causes it to ripen faster. Another suggestion said to put an apple in the bag with the banana. I haven't tried these methods yet, but they take days to work and I would like to see something that could immediately ripen a banana, within 5 minutes or so, but wouldn't mind if it just took overnight to work.
One setting included would be the current ripeness of the banana. At first I was picturing a microwave looking device, but I'm hoping something much smaller would work. Well anyway, picky banana eaters like me who refuse to eat gross green bananas would definitely buy this product. I'm just tired of my family/roommates eating all the bananas before they get a chance to ripen enough for my taste. If no one invents this I'll probably have to buy bunches of bananas at various levels of ripeness when I go shopping so that I could always have one at the right level.
Any ideas for a banana ripener? (Maybe putting the banana in a really thick paper bag and microwaving it?)
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Ripening is a chemical process that might be accelerated with a bit of heat but cooking is not the same as ripening. Ripening involves converting some carbohydrates to sugar. Perhaps a locked box with a window might permit you to see when the fruit is ripe but prevent anybody without a combination or key from getting the fruit.
found this and i thought it may help
Chiquita classifies banana ripeness into seven color stages, ranging from all green to yellow flecked with brown. Most people like their bananas at color 5 which is yellow with green tips and green necks or color 6 which is all yellow except for light green necks. If the bananas you buy aren't as ripe as you'd like, try sealing them in a brown paper bag with an apple or tomato overnight.
how bout that? just over night!
acrathacion: Thanks, but I kind of already read about that as you can see from my initial explanation. Although, never heard about using a tomato!