A method of swelling the cell membranes of the cell surrounding the latex containing vessels in the underpeel of bananas to enable the latex vessels to be more resistant to temperatures within the range of 45. degree. to 55° F. The method includes treating the exterior peel of the banana finger with an application of an oleaginous material having a viscosity of 10 to 10,000 centistokes, maintaining the underpeel at a temperature of above 55° F during the application and holding the underpeel for a dwell period of at least 24 hours. The amount of the oleaginous material applied is sufficient to permit the oleaginous material to penetrate completely below the exterior peel and into the sites of the latex vessels' cell membranes to swell these membranes in order to prevent both a phase change in the cell membranes and an increase in the permeability of the liquid and solutes of the cells surrounding the latex vessels into the latex contained in these vessels. The amount of the oleaginous material may be in the range of 0.01 to 1 ml per banana finger. Useful oleaginous materials include a vegetable oil, dimethyl-polysiloxane, mineral oil, mono-, di-, and tri-glycerides and phospholipids. The banana having its underpeel so treated is also described.
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