Whether you’re trying to count calories, are buying bananas in bulk, or are calculating weight for a recipe, knowing how many bananas are in 2 pounds can be extremely helpful.
How much does a single banana weigh?
To figure out how many bananas are in 2 pounds, you’ll first need to figure out how much a single banana weighs.
Each banana grows to a different size, and bananas will also weigh slightly different amounts depending on how ripe they are and whether they still have their peel.
In general, small bananas, measuring 6 to 7 inches in length, weigh about 100 grams, medium bananas, which are 7 to 8 inches long, weigh about 118 grams, and large bananas, which are about 8 to 9 inches long, weigh about 136 grams.
Occasionally, you might see an extra-large banana that measures more than 9 inches long. These bananas usually weigh around 152 grams.
How many bananas are in 2 pounds?
We can use the medium weight of a banana, which is about 118 grams or 4 ounces, to find how many bananas are in 2 pounds on average. There are 16 ounces in 1 pound, so if we divide 16 by 4, we find that you would need about four medium-sized bananas to make up 1 pound, which means you would need eight bananas to make up 2 pounds.
We can also find out how many bananas it would take to add up to 2 pounds if the bananas were large or small. We know that a small banana usually weighs about 100 grams, which is equal to about 3.5 ounces. Dividing 16 by 3.5, we find that it would take about 4.6 small bananas to make a pound, or about nine small bananas to make 2 pounds. Rounding up gives a more even number, which is easier to visualize.
A large banana weighs about 136 grams, which is equal to about 4.8 ounces. You would need about 3.3 large bananas to make up 1 pound or just over six and a half large bananas to make up 2 pounds.
Banana Varieties
Although most bananas look very similar, there are actually several banana varieties. The bananas that are most commonly seen in United States supermarkets are known as dessert bananas, indicating their sweet taste.
Originally, the Gros Michel banana was the most popular dessert banana type, but it became largely unavailable due to a fungus outbreak.
Today, the most common dessert banana is the Cavendish. Dwarf Cavendish and Grand Nain are also popular varieties.
Plantains are another common banana variety, but these bananas are largely used for savory dishes, and they’re almost always cooked before they’re eaten.
How do I know when a banana is ripe?
When they’re picked, most bananas still have a green tinge to their skin, which shows that they are not yet fully ripe. Bananas are considered to be ripe when their skin takes on a bright yellow color.
This color is a good indicator of ripeness, but the color is actually caused by ethylene gas, which is used to artificially ripen most commercially produced bananas.
8 Medium sized bananas weigh around 2 pounds.
If a banana is picked when it is green and isn’t exposed to ethylene, it will never completely ripen. However, green bananas can still be used in many dishes as long as they’re cooked properly.
As a banana ripens, it will develop dark brown or black spots, and the peel may begin to split. The riper a banana is, the sweeter it will be, so many people prefer to wait until a banana has developed spots before eating it.
However, it’s also important to remember that as a banana ripens, it will become softer. Ripe bananas also spoil more quickly, so always keep an eye on the bananas you purchase and use them before they cross the line between ripe and rotten.
How should I store bananas?
Bananas stay fresh and last the longest when stored in cool areas away from light. Although many people keep bananas on the counter so that they will ripen quickly, it’s often best to move ripe bananas to the fridge to make them last longer.
If a banana looks like it has over-ripened, you can cut it up and freeze it. Frozen bananas can be used in smoothies or to make ice cream or banana bread.
