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Banana quality more than skin-deep

ABC Rural

Wholesalers explain to customers why winter has left some Aussie bananas looking a little off-colour



Some supermarkets have responded by issuing advice to customers explaining a phenomenon known as 'winter greying', or under-peel chill, which is affecting bananas from Queensland's banana-growing heartland.

On the Atherton Tableland, a higher-altitude growing region inland from Cairns, the temperature is generally three to four degrees cooler than the coastal growing region on far north Queensland's Cassowary Coast.

Even so, Tableland banana grower Michael Lankester says all areas are affected to some extent during the winter months.

"Underneath the skin it goes a blackey-grey looking colour and it's just because it's been exposed to the cold air and when it ripens up, it's a dull-looking yellow, rather than a bright-looking yellow. There's nothing wrong with the banana whatsoever to eat."

Even so, Brisbane wholesaler Fruitlink is aware most consumers can be perturbed by the appearance of bananas at this time of the year.

Fruitlink's Doug Rylance says it happens most years, but many people are not aware of the weather-related phenomenon.

"For people who buy fruit and vegetables with their eyes, it's something that will always affect sales if it doesn't look as appealing.

"So it's about educating customers and letting them know it's a natural phenomenon. It's not due to any chemicals or anything like that and all we try to do is educate customers, let them know they still taste great, they eat great, they'll last just as long in the fruit bowl at home."

Meanwhile, Michael Lankester, whose lady finger bananas are a subtropical variety not affected by under-peel chill, says it will probably take another month or so for the affected fruit to work its way through the supply chain.

"It hasn't been as cold a winter as normal but it's been prolonged, sort of hit and miss, which has brought under peel chill in a little bit earlier and it's probably going to be dragged out a little longer.

"This week was probably, hopefully, our last cool chill and hopefully it'll start warming up from now."

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