Do you peel bananas from the stem end or the non-stem end? You might think there’s no right way to peel a banana, but you could be mistaken. This nutrient-rich fruit, packed with potassium, magnesium, Vitamin B6, and Vitamin C, is a staple worldwide. Surprisingly, there is a “right” way to peel it, according to Tasting Table.
Most of us peel bananas from the stem, a method we’ve known since childhood. But is this the best way? While it’s not wrong, there is a surprisingly ‘correct’ way to peel a banana.
To peel a banana correctly, take a tip from the real “banana experts” – monkeys! They open the yellow fruit from the bottom up.
Monkeys hold the stem side down and use a pinch, squeeze, and tear method to open the non-stem side. Use your thumb and index finger to pinch and squeeze the non-stem end until the peel splits open.
The upside-down technique not only is correct but also helps avoid the banana’s stringy bits, known as phloem bundles. Peeling from the non-stem end increases the chances of these annoying fibers sticking to the skin and coming off with it, according to Slate. These strings often leave a slightly bitter taste when eaten.
The Reddit world, too, has varied opinions about the right way to peel a banana. u/TRG_The_Redstone_Guy shared how peeling a banana upside down is a faster process. The caption of the post read, “Life Pro Tips: Open your bananas upside down to peel them way faster and without bruising.”
In response, other users shared their own experiences with the technique. u/ThePowerTriangle shared, “I tried to explain this to coworkers one day. They did not believe me it was better. I told them it reduces the number of strings – no traction. I explain that is how monkeys peel bananas – nothing. Then I asked if they had ever played Mario Kart and if they remembered how the banana peels are in the game – that got them to try it. Fun fact: the strings are called phloem bundles.” Another user, u/MarquisInLV, commented, “Yeah, all you gotta do is pinch the tip and it opens right up.”
A post on r/changemyview also debated the correct way to peel the fruit with the caption, “CMV: The only correct way to peel and eat a banana is from the bottom.” The post stated three points supporting the argument. First, the banana splits more easily from the bottom. Second, the stem of a banana is very clearly a handle and should be used as such. Third, that is how the monkeys do it.
Users chimed in with their opinions. While some agreed with the statements presented in the post, others had counter-arguments. u/Khal-Frodo dismissed all the points, yet he mentioned that he uses this method because “this is unquestionably the most fun way to open a banana and makes you feel low-key badass.” In u/toxicdreamland’s opinion, bananas can be eaten as one likes, the only wrong way to eat the banana is “with the skin on.”
