{
  "checked_on": "2026-10-12",
  "title": "Bananas: pick a stage",
  "deck": [
    "Green fruit needs time at room temperature.",
    "Ripe fruit has different storage options."
  ],
  "eyebrow": "REDBERI \u00b7 HOUSEHOLD PRODUCE GUIDE",
  "output": "banana-storage-decision.svg",
  "categories": [
    {
      "category": "Green / not ready",
      "decision": "Ripen on the counter",
      "detail": "Cold can disrupt normal ripening."
    },
    {
      "category": "Ripe / ready to eat",
      "decision": "Refrigerate briefly if needed",
      "detail": "Peel may brown; check the fruit inside."
    },
    {
      "category": "Sound ripe surplus",
      "decision": "Peel, slice and freeze",
      "detail": "Plan for smoothies or baking."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    "https://extension.msstate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/P4041_web.pdf",
    "https://postharvest.ucdavis.edu/produce-facts-sheets/banana"
  ],
  "footer": [
    "MSU Extension; UC Davis \u00b7 Checked 12 October 2026.",
    "Sourced handling rules; no measured shelf-life experiment."
  ],
  "limitations": "Qualitative guidance; not a measurement of freshness or contamination. Starting condition and handling vary."
}