When you bite into a banana, it shouldn’t hurt. But sometimes someone takes a bite and feels something completely different — crunch. That crunchy banana inside is neither pleasant nor expected. It’s actually a fairly common problem, and it’s usually thanks to something called black center syndrome, or internal vascular browning.

This occurs when the central core of the banana, the part where the vascular tissue is, dies, or begins to degrade. When it dries, it becomes dark and dry, with some chew having a crunch. The outside of the banana may appear perfectly fine but the inside tells a different story, sometimes revealing a crunchy banana inside.

Why Is There a Crunchy Banana Inside?

There are a couple of typical reasons for this unexpected experience:

How to store bananas so they last longer Cold storage: The one thing that can ruin a banana is low temperatures. Chilling below 13°C (55°F) causes the cells inside to break down, turn dark and dry out, leading to a crunchy banana inside.

Rough treatment: If a fruit is bruised in shipment, or in packaging, it can injure the interior, leaving only the peel unspoiled.

Internal rot or infection: Sometimes, fungi and bacteria may affect the banana’s core, leading to a dry, hard inner part.

Is It Still Safe to Eat?

I would say, in most instances, yes — but think with your senses. If the banana smells and tastes fine (except for the crunch), chances are it’s safe to eat, just unpleasant. But if it smells sour or fermented, or tastes like chemicals, it’s best to throw it out as a crunchy banana inside can be deceptive.

Ever Eaten a Crunchy Banana?

We want to hear from you!

Have you bitten into a banana and discovered an unexpected crunch in the middle? What did it look like? Did you go ahead and eat it — or did it go straight in the trash?

Tell us in the comments or share what you think this mystery crunch actually is. Because, after all, the strangest food moments, like biting into a crunchy banana inside, are always better when shared.