Stage 1: Solid green, rock-hard, bitter
Stage 2: Green with a hint of yellow
Stage 3: Mostly green, slightly sweetStage 4: Green-yellow, mild sweetness
Stage 5: Yellow with green tips
Stage 6: Fully yellow, firm
Stage 7: Yellow with small brown spotsStage 8: Yellow-orange with many brown spots
Stage 9: Mostly brown, very sweet
Stage 10: Fully brown or black, extremely soft
Each stage has its role—but only 7–9 strike the perfect balance between taste, nutrition, digestibility, and versatility.
Why Stage 7–9 Is the Sweet Spot
1. Flavor Perfection
At stages 7–9, bananas reach their peak sweetness.
Here’s what’s happening inside the fruit:
