Bananas are harvested green and sweeten as they ripen. Their peel reveals their exact stage of ripeness. A dark green peel is very firm. As the banana ripens, the peel color lightens and changes to yellow. During this process, the starch within the banana converts to sugar giving riper bananas their creamy, sweet taste.

As soon as the banana stem is cut from the plant, ripening starts. Within 36 hours, the fruit, packed in boxes, is loaded onto refrigerated ships. The cool temperatures put the bananas to sleep and temporarily stops them from ripening. The whole trip, from plantation to grocery store, takes about two weeks.

Chiquita classifies banana ripeness into seven color stages, ranging from all green to yellow flecked with brown. Most people like their bananas at color 5 which is yellow with green tips and green necks or color 6 which is all yellow except for light green necks. If the bananas you buy aren't as ripe as you'd like, try sealing them in a brown paper bag with an apple or tomato overnight.

To slow the ripening process once bananas reach your preferred ripeness, put them in the refrigerator. Even though our original jingle warned consumers not to refrigerate bananas, it's really OK. The skin may turn dark, but the fruit will be just right for several days. Back in 1944 when the "Chiquita Banana" jingle lyrics were written, consumers would typically bring home green bananas and put them in the refrigerator which kept them from ripening properly.

How do you like your bananas? Tipped with green, all yellow or flecked with brown?