Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Let plantains ripen naturally
• Method 2 of 3: Ripening plantains in a paper bag
• Method 3 of 3: Avoid common mistakes
• Tips
• Warnings

Plantains are part of the banana family and all look alike, but compared to bananas, plantains are much more starchy and contain less sugar. Plantains can be included in many recipes or eaten raw. Plantains take longer to ripen than other fruits and it is difficult to find ripe plantains in the supermarket. You can just ripen plantains or speed up the process by ripening them in a paper bag.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Let plantains ripen naturally

1. Choose the right environment for the plantains to ripen. You can ripen plantains in your own kitchen. However, make sure to choose the right place for fruit to ripen.
   • Plantains ripen best in a warm and well-ventilated place. If your kitchen is very cold or stuffy, try to find another room in your house to let them mature.
   • Plantains can ripen in cooler environments. It just takes a little longer.
2. Leave the plantains undisturbed. Plantains ripen fastest when left alone. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets. Do not touch the plantains while ripening. Plantains are usually not sold ripe in stores and take a while to ripen on their own. The plantains have to be left undisturbed for a while to get them sufficiently ripe.
3. Give them enough time. It takes 7 to 11 days for a plantain to ripen. In a warmer environment, you can expect plantains to ripen faster. A plantain is ripe when it is black, wrinkled and soft to the touch. A ripe plantain doesn't need to be poked too hard to yield to the pressure of your finger.

Method 2 of 3: Ripening plantains in a paper bag

1. Store plantains in a paper bag. If it is necessary to allow the plantains to ripen faster, you can keep them in a paper bag. Place the plantains in a paper bag. The bag does not need to be completely closed. In fact, it is best to just close the bag loosely.
2. Place the plantains somewhere in your kitchen. Choose a place where they can ripen undisturbed. Keep them out of the reach of pets and children.
   • Remember that a warm and well-ventilated environment is best for ripening plantains.
3. Check the plantains over the course of two weeks. Plantains generally take about two weeks to ripen. However, they can ripen faster if they are in a paper bag. Check them regularly over the course of two weeks and remove them from the bag when they are ripe.
   • Remember that ripe plantains appear black and wrinkled and are soft to the touch.

Method 3 of 3: Avoid common mistakes

1. Recognize a ripe plantain. Many people assume that plantains ripen in the same way as regular bananas. Although the fruits look the same, plantains look very different from regular bananas when they are ripe. You can safely fry or bake plantains if they are not fully ripe, but if you want to eat them raw, you have to wait until they are ripe
   • Ripe plantains are usually black with a few yellow streaks.
   • Plantains that are completely black are still edible, but can be a bit overripe.
2. Do not keep plantains in the refrigerator. Plantains are best left uncooled. This is especially true if they are not yet ripe. Do not refrigerate plantains until they are as ripe as you like them.

Tips

• If you're shopping at a local market that offers a discount on overripe produce, look specifically for plantains at the discounted fruit. Some traders are unfamiliar with the ripening process of plantains, or confuse them with regular bananas, and sell plantains that are probably not ripe enough at discounted prices.
• If you prefer the starchy flavor of plantains, bake or cook plantains when they are not ripe enough and are green in color. Green plantains retain a strong starchy flavor, similar to that of potatoes.

Warnings

• Do not stack the plantains on top of each other. You should put plantains next to each other instead of piling them up. Stacking the plantains can increase the build-up of mildew. For best results when ripening plantains, do not stack them on top of each other.