Have you ever stopped to think of the life your produce has led before you pick it up from the supermarket shelf and place it in your basket? It’s easy to forget how far some products have travelled to finally end up in our homes – and not to mention the time, effort and man-power required to grow and transport them. The banana is no exception; commonly grown in tropical climates within 30 degrees either side of the equator – in countries which have an average temperature of 27°C/80°F – these yellow fruits have covered many miles before they reach our doorsteps.
The banana fruit is actually a berry and it grows from a herb, rather than a palm tree – which is a common assumption. From sowing a banana bulb to harvesting the fruit takes between 9-12 months, and unlike most other fruit, they don’t have a particular season, meaning they’re available worldwide all year round. Once they are fully grown, the bananas will be harvested while they are still green. They then undergo an intense inspection process, as buyers of fruit in Europe expect very high standards, meaning unbruised, visually perfect produce. Fruit that doesn’t make the cut will be sold on to local areas at a much lower price. Large refrigerated ships known as reefers transport the bananas to the UK and Europe – these can take anywhere between 6-12 days. Workers handle the fruit with extreme care to prevent any damage or bruising that could cause buyers to reject it. Humidity, ventilation and temperature conditions are also carefully monitored to maintain a high quality – the reefer ships usually keep a temperature of 13.3°C/55.9°F. When bananas finally reach their destination, they are sent to ripening rooms where they undergo a process involving ethylene gas. They’re then taken to the retailers and sold to the public.
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August 2019
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