Only the core of my banana is black. Is it safe to eat? This banana had a bit of bruising I wasn't too concerned until I noticed the core (and only the core) was dark brown/black in color.  In addition, it's somewhat dry and hollow, unlike normal banana flesh.



I've read elsewhere on the Internet that this happens when they've been dropped (which, incidentally, this one has been).  Is this true?  Are bananas like this still generally safe to eat?
According to my grandfather, it's still under-ripe - he liked them after they were brown/black all over outside and pretty well brown all the way through inside. 

So I'm pretty sure it's perfectly safe to eat.