What Does Putting Unripe Fruit in a Paper Bag Do?

Have you ever bought firm bananas or hard avocados and wondered how to speed up their ripening? The solution may lie in an ordinary household item: a saco de papel. No matter who you are, this knowledge can be an eye-opener for all of you. It’s the science of it all and the explanation of why paper bags are always preferred for the process of natural and harmless ripening that will be our topic today.

The Science: How Paper Bags Accelerate Ripening

Ethylene, a part of the natural plant hormone, is the one causing the process of fruit ripening. Now, as fruits are ripening, ethylene is being released by these fruits and that is what causes a chain reaction, thus leading to the softening, sweetening of the product, and also providing a good color. Here’s how a paper bag plays a crucial role:

Traps Ethylene Gas: Paper bags permit but a small quantity of air to the inward air, which enables the gaseous ethylene which accumulate around the fruit, and this environment with ethylene concentration accelerates the process of ripening, without at the same time giving excessive gas to the humidity of the fruit.

Regulates Moisture: Paper bags do not completely, and least of all, prevent the moisture from being trapped; neither are they airtight. These bags do not allow far too much condensation to be at bay, which would otherwise lead to mold or soft spots, and maintain the contained fruits dry and fresh.

Protects and Cushions: By having small paper bags or sacos de papel castanho with a proper structure (also known as pinch-bottom or SOS designs), which makes the bag tough, fruits are cushioned against bad weather, and are also able to ripen in peace.

Example: Put unripe peaches in a small brown paper bag, fold the top, and let the bag remain at room temperature. In 1–2 days, they will be soft—no chemicals used.

Why Choose Paper Bags Over Plastic?

When thinking of ripening fruit, users prioritize safety, sustainability, and effectiveness. Here’s why paper bags outshine plastic:

Food Safety First: The first feature looked for is the fact that the paper bags are nothing but made of food-grade materials, which indicates that, for example, GB/T 27590-2022 paper bags are at the top of the list and the material is compliant with both the FDA and EU. These are bags that do not have hazardous chemicals or fluorine-containing compounds, so the process of leaching is not possible to happen.

Eco-Friendly Choice: Next, paper bags, in particular, are green in comparison with plastic bags. They can be recycled and also do not pose a potential threat to the Earth’s atmosphere. Protecting the environment is the main concern for 80% of customers who prefer sustainable packaging, and they will undoubtedly choose the eco-friendly option.

Cost-Effective and Versatile: You can carry fruit in different quantities and select the packaging option that suits you best. But most importantly, you can choose from a range of very affordable paper bagging options, such as small paper bags and large brown paper bags.

Choosing the Right Paper Bag: Size, Material, and Design

There is a lot of difference in the quality of paper bags. You should therefore buy this type of paper bag:

Material: Opt for brown kraft paper bags, which are durable and often made from recycled materials. They’re ideal for absorbing excess moisture without tearing.

Size: Small paper bags are ideal if you want to store small quantities of, say, fruit items, while medium bags will come in handy for bulk items.

Design Features:

Pinch-bottom bags: Flat bottoms are safer and prevent the fruit from getting dented and rolling.

SOS (self-opening) bags: They are an easy way to get a bag open fast, a good fit when you are too busy either in the kitchen or at the retail counter.”

Grease-resistant coatings: Choosing products made with these coatings could be beneficial to fruits that have an oily surface. As for other fruits, they are either ripe or overripe, before they could be traceably marked back to these grease-resistant coatings.  

Nanwang’s Paper Bags: Engineered for Ripening and Beyond

As a leading manufacturer of food-grade paper bags, Nanwang understands the balance between functionality and sustainability. Our products:

Meet Strict Safety Standards: Made from certified food-contact paper, compliant with national and international regulations.

Offer Custom Solutions: From small brown paper bags for grocery stores to bulk orders for restaurants, we tailor sizes, prints, and handles to your needs.

Prioritize Durability: Our kraft paper bags feature reinforced bottoms and sturdy structures, ensuring they won’t tear even with slightly heavy produce.

Fun fact: Nanwang is a national standard drafter for food-contact paper packaging, meaning our designs set the industry benchmark for safety and quality.

Final Tips: Mastering Fruit Ripening with Paper Bags

Well, here are our best suggestions:

Pair Ethylene-Producers: In the process of having the same bag as the others, faster ripening occurs when those fruits with ethylene emission (e.g., a banana, apples) share their bag with slow-ripening fruits (e.g., kiwi, mango).

Reuse Your Bags: After ripening, clean paper bags can be used as grocery bags, snack bags, or eco-friendly storage.

Conclusion

Would you give your fruit ripening a new dimension? A good quality paper bag, regardless of whether you are using it as a home chef or a business owner, can make a huge difference. Nanwang is available for contact in order to buy in bulk and get packaging solutions that are of good quality, safe, and eco-friendly.