People are just realising they’ve been eating bananas the "wrong way" for decades. Bananas are loved by adults and children all over the world for their soft texture and sweet taste. This fruit grows in bunches on trees and is thought to have originated in Southeast Asia, but bananas are now easily found in supermarkets in different countries.

Most people peel the skin of a banana and then bite it from top to bottom. However, an etiquette expert has claimed this is not how it should be done.

William Hanson, from Bristol, is Britain’s leading etiquette coach and a twice Sunday Times bestselling author. He is also the host of two podcasts, including The Luxury Podcast and he is the executive director and owner of The English Manner, an etiquette and protocol coaching company that offers classes in London and worldwide.

Hanson has amassed millions of followers on social media where he gives etiquette tips and advice. He recently posted a video on Instagram teaching people how to eat a banana.

While you may have thought you'd known how to do this your whole life, it turns out you're pretty wrong. In fact, you shouldn't even peel it.

Sitting in front of a banana placed on a plate, the etiquette expert said: “Now, we don’t pick it up and peel it like a primate. Instead we use a knife and fork.

“First, going from one end cut it off then cut off the other end. Turning your knife on its side then score down the skin, peel back and eat like so.”

The Instagram reel has garnered more than 40,000 comments with people sharing their surprise at Hanson’s method for eating a banana. One user said: “I’m not doing extra dishes for a banana, William.”

Another added: “Bruh, you offended the entire world’s population.” A third humorously commented: “Need to know how this dude eats a sandwich.”

Someone else chimed in with: “Done a bit of travelling, but never seen a banana served on a plate [with] skin on! You need new content!”

A different Instagram user exclaimed: “That’s enough now William! Time out!” Hanson captioned his post: “This really is the only way you should be eating a banana.”

Hanson isn’t the only one who eats a banana this way, as the late Queen Elizabeth II also used a knife and fork when eating a banana, the Daily Express previously reported.

Darren McGrady, a former Palace kitchen chef, said: “With a banana, she’ll cut off the bottoms and cut the banana lengthwise, and then cut the banana into tiny slices to eat it with a fork.” She apparently refused to peel and then eat a banana to avoid eating food “like a monkey.”

Most people peel a banana and then bite it while holding it in their hand as this is the easiest and simplest way. Bananas are often only cut with a knife and fork when using them in desserts, like banoffee pie or a fruit salad.