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Proper Onion Storage: Avoid Common Mistakes
Discover the optimal ways for onion storage to prolong freshness and prevent spoilage. Many people encounter the common bother of finding their produce spoiled before its time. If your onions are deteriorating faster than expected, it may be due to improper storage practices. Contrary to popular belief, refrigerating onions can actually hasten their decay.
Why You Shouldn’t Refrigerate Whole Onions
Putting whole onions in the fridge might seem like a good way to extend their shelf life, but it can have an adverse effect. Cold temperatures accelerate the transformation of starches into sugars, leading to a softening and mushy texture.
Expert Advice on Onion Storage
Food expert Melissa Alink, author of Little House Living, advises against refrigerating whole onions. She told The Mirror: ‘While whole onions can be stored in a fridge, it is not recommended. That is because whole raw onions absorb moisture quickly and can turn softer in the fridge.’
The Ideal Storage Environment
Instead, Alink suggests preserving onions in a cool, shaded, and airy location like a pantry or kitchen drawer. Avoid storing them in overly warm cupboards, as this can encourage sprouting.
The Science Behind Onion Storage
Like most produce, onions are still undergoing biological processes post-harvest. Their cells continue to respire, consuming oxygen and sugar for energy, which significantly influences their storage needs.
The Effect of Temperature on Onions
When root vegetables such as onions are exposed to cool temperatures, they convert starch into sugar to fuel the plant. This process, while making carrots sweeter after cold harvests, causes onions to soften and degrade more rapidly. Warmer conditions trigger the consumption of sugars, leading to sprouting; while edible, these sprouts indicate that the onion has lost some of its flavor, becoming more bitter.
Best Practices for Onion Storage
To properly store onions, consider these factors:
- Temperature: Maintain a cool environment above 4°C (40°F).
- Humidity: High moisture levels encourage rotting, so avoid humid locations.
- Airflow: Ensure proper ventilation to prevent spoilage.
Alink emphasizes storing onions in a dry environment, away from moisture-prone areas like under the sink or basements. Ditch the plastic bags from the store, as they trap moisture and accelerate decay.
Suitable Onion Storage Containers
Choose containers that maximize airflow. According to Iowa State University, using a mesh bag, old nylon stocking, wire basket, or crate is recommended.
Long-Term Onion Storage Tips
For extended storage, suspend onions in nylon stockings, tying knots between each to create individual compartments. This ensures ample airflow for lasting freshness.
Storing Cut or Peeled Onions
Unlike whole onions, sliced or peeled onions should be refrigerated. At the right temperature, they can last up to two weeks.
‘Sliced, chopped, and cooked onions should always be stored in the fridge,’ Alink says. ‘These types of onions are not suitable for pantries and will rot quickly outside your fridge.’
Securely wrap cut onions to prevent decay. Ethylene gas, produced by fruits in the fridge, hastens ripening.
How to Wrap Cut Onions
Proper wrapping is key. Follow this method:
- Wrap half-cut onions tightly in plastic wrap or cling film.
- Place the wrapped onion in an airtight container.
- Store chopped onions in a plastic zipper bag.