Warning issued to anyone who keeps onions in the fridge

Optimal Onion Storage: Fridge or No Fridge? Expert Weighs In

Discover the ideal conditions for preserving your onions and learn why common storage methods may be sabotaging their freshness. Despite popular belief, storing onions in the refrigerator may not be the best approach. A leading food authority sheds light on the proper way to keep your onions firm, flavorful, and ready for use in all your culinary creations.

The Fridge Factor: Why It Might Be Harming Your Onions

Melissa Alink, a food expert and author of “Little House Living,” cautions against storing whole onions in the refrigerator. According to Alink, cold temperatures can accelerate the conversion of starches to sugars, resulting in a softer, mushier texture. “While whole onions can be stored in a fridge, it is not recommended,” Alink explained. “That is because whole raw onions absorb moisture quickly and can turn softer in the fridge.”

Temperature Troubles: Avoiding the Extremes

Just as excessively cold temperatures can negatively impact onions, so can overly warm environments, which can encourage sprouting. Like other fruits and vegetables, onions remain biologically active after harvesting. Their cells continue to metabolize, utilizing oxygen and sugar to produce energy. Root vegetables like onions respond to cold by converting starch into sugar for energy. When exposed to too much warmth, they consume sugars to fuel the development of shoots, essentially initiating new plant growth.

The Ideal Environment: Dark, Dry, and Ventilated

Alink recommends storing onions in a dark, well-ventilated location such as a cupboard or drawer.

• Ensure the location is dry to prevent spoilage or rotting.
• Avoid storing onions in humid environments like under the sink or in the basement.

Plastic Bag Dilemma: Removing Excess Moisture

It’s also advisable to remove onions from their original plastic bags, as these tend to trap moisture.

Sprouting Onions: Edible but Altered in Taste

It’s important to note that sprouted onions are safe to eat, and their shoots are even edible. However, sprouting does alter the taste, making it more bitter as the onion has consumed a significant amount of its stored sugars.

Mesh Bag Solution: Ventilated Storage Tips

Consider these suggestions for optimal onion storage:

• Use a mesh bag
• Employ an old nylon stocking
• Utilize a wire basket
• Opt for a crate