Is a Black Banana Safe to Eat?

Yes, a completely black banana is likely safe to eat under certain conditions.

According to The Takeaway, bananas that have turned entirely black are generally safe for consumption as long as they don't exhibit other signs of spoilage. This means you should check for the following:

• Visible Mold: If there is any mold growing on the banana, it should not be eaten.
• Rotten Smell: A foul or rotten odor indicates the banana has spoiled and should be discarded.
• Black Interior: If, upon peeling the banana, the fruit inside is also black, it is best not to eat it.

If your black banana passes these checks, it is still safe to consume. However, they are best used in cooking or baking, rather than eating raw. Here’s why:

Why Cook with Black Bananas?

Black bananas are usually overripe, and this increases their sweetness and softness. This makes them perfect for a variety of dishes:

• Baking: Overripe bananas are ideal for banana bread, muffins, and cakes.
• Smoothies: Their soft texture makes them easy to blend into smoothies.
• Pancakes: They add extra sweetness and moisture to pancake batter.

Reference: The Takeaway

The information provided is based on a reference from The Takeaway, which states that completely black bananas are safe to eat if there is no visible mold, a rotten smell, or if the fruit inside is not black. The reference suggests that when bananas are simply black, they are better suited for cooking rather than raw consumption.

Here's a summary in a table: