Onions will stay fresh much longer when stored properly in the kitchen (Image: Getty)
When kept in the wrong place, onions can sprout, become mushy, or even grow mould, but most people do not realise they need to be careful what vegetables they store together.
, a professional home economist, has shared that onions will stay fresher for longer if kept away from other produce, and need to always be away from potatoes.
She said: “Onions do off-gas and will affect the flavour of food around them, it’s best they have their own space.
“Not only do they give off gas, but they are easily impacted by the gas put off by other like potatoes. This causes them to sprout prematurely, so be sure to store onions and potatoes separately.”
Onions produce ethylene gas, a plant hormone that ripens fruit and vegetables to make them more flavourful. However, too much of this gas can cause produce to spoil prematurely.
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Never store onions and potatoes together as they will both spoil very quickly (Image: Getty)
Not only will onions cause potatoes to deteriorate faster, but spuds hold a lot of moisture in them, which can cause onions to go mouldy before their time.
If you wish to keep your onions fresh, it is best to store them alone in an open container. This will allow more air to circulate, keeping the storage area dry.
Getty said: “Onions pick up moisture very easily, which will lead to rot. Keep them in a mesh bag, old nylons or an open basket in a dry place. If you have high humidity, it’ll be tricky to keep onions for a long time. If you do choose to store them in the refrigerator, keep them in a crisper with low humidity and keep them out of plastic bags, which can trap moisture.”
Onions can be stored in the fridge, but it tends to be too cold for them, which can cause them to go mushy and soft within a few days rather than lasting for longer.
It is much better to store onions at room temperature, between four and 10 Celsius, in places such as kitchen cupboards, drawers or even a pantry if you have one.
The key to keeping onions fresh is to keep them away from humidity and moisture (Image: Getty)
Onions need to be stored away and not on a countertop as they are highly sensitive to sunlight, which will cause them to sprout, and rapid temperature in light or heat can also make them spoil.
Getty said: “Changing light conditions cause fluctuations in temperature and humidity, both things that onions do not enjoy. Keep them in a dark place away from direct sunlight.”
The ideal place to store onions is somewhere cool, dark and well-ventilated away from other vegetables in an open container like a basket or mesh bag to make sure they keep dry.
Onions will stay fresh for longer as long as they are kept away from moisture. This is why it is important to remove them from any plastic packaging from the supermarket, as it can create a very humid environment. If you do not own a storage container, rather than wasting money, you can try an old-school storage method for keeping onions fresher for longer.
Getty said: “Do not store in plastic bags. You could even store them in old pantyhose – insert one onion, twist the pantyhose, insert next onion, repeat. Hang in a dark, cool place or lay on the cool floor.”
When onions are stored properly, they can last two to three months longer rather than only staying fresh for a few weeks, so you can save a little bit of money on your food shop.