Ten Uses for Bananas Trivia Quiz

Answer: They can whiten teeth

It is thought that rubbing banana peel over our teeth every time we brush can help lighten our pearly whites. One presumes this is meant to take place before brushing, otherwise, speaking from experience, you will be left with furry feeling teeth.

Answer: Alleviating the itch caused by bites

Got an insect bite? Scratching like mad? No problem. Instead of having to endure that, or purchase expensive insect repellent, just rub a banana peel over the bite instead, and it will ease the itch for you. You'll also smell lovely and fruity.

Answer: Removing splinters

It is thought that pressing a banana peel onto a splinter releases certain enzymes in the peel. This acts on the skin to draw the splinter out, so that it can be easily removed.

Answer: Hang a few bananas around your garden

But hang them high enough so that the neighbour's cat isn't supplied with a readily available smorgasbord. If you want the enjoyment of the sight and sound of more beautiful birds in your garden, bananas placed here and there will bring them in like magic.

They'll then nibble away at the peel and the fruit for hours, and reward you with a birdie burp or a lovely song. An additional bonus is that this will also attract that most beautiful of creatures - butterflies. There's something breathtakingly lovely about a floating delicate sweetly coloured butterfly.

It's like watching poetry being formed.

Answer: It makes an excellent mulch for new plants

Chop up your banana peel, let it dry out, and then either grind it up further or apply it as it is around the base of new seedlings and plants. They'll bloom before your very eyes. With the lovely crow's nests plant, apply the mulch to the heart of the plant instead of around the roots.

Answer: As a product to help clean silver

Products purchased from the stores for cleaning the precious family silver are becoming more and more expensive every year. Give your wallet a rest and simply rub banana peel over these utensils instead. Then buff them up with a soft cloth, and your silver will look as good as new.

Answer: Yes

I haven't tried this one, but apparently peeled and chopped up banana is a lovely, safe and healthy treat for Woof-Woof now and then. It can't hurt to try, even though initially, thinking he's about to get a bone instead, he may look decidedly depressed.

Answer: Absorbing contaminants in polluted waters

Scientists believe that powdered banana peel has the ability to absorb contamination in polluted waters, in much the same way that other far more expensive materials do. This was tested in Brazil in 2007 in waters incredibly damaged by nuclear waste and fertilizers.

It was found that when powdered banana peel was mixed into the polluted water for forty minutes, it absorbed 65% of the pollutants. A second dose absorbed even more.

Answer: A banana ice cream

Simply peel and freeze a banana, and when the kids are after a treat that they won't realise is also healthy, blend the frozen banana in a food processor. It comes out with the same texture and taste as real banana ice cream. Yum!

Answer: Helps polish saddles beautifully

Banana peel works just as beautifully on leather products as it does on silver. Simply rub a banana peel over your leather gear, no matter what it is, and then buff it up with a soft cloth.