Properly stored onions, in a dark, cool and well-ventilated place, will last from 4 to 6 months. In some cases, under ideal conditions, it stays fresh for up to 8 months.
Before you start storing onions, make a very careful selection. Get rid of all damaged and soft copies and these, that show signs of germination. Onions that have started to sprout are not suitable for long-term storage because their taste and texture deteriorate.
Onions are suitable for storage only if when it is hard and firm, and its skin shows no signs of damage. We should also pay attention to the onion roots – if they are visible, they should be trimmed gently to minimize the risk of mold development.
Containers for storing onions should ensure adequate air circulation for the vegetables and do not retain moisture. They will work best wooden boxeswhere the onion will have enough space and will be able to “breathe”. It may also be a good option wicker basket or a jute bag.
We should store onions separately from other vegetables. They are very sensitive to the presence of ethylene, a gaseous substance emitted by onions. Ethylene can accelerate the ripening process of other vegetables and fruits, causing them to spoil more quickly. Therefore, to keep onions fresh for as long as possible, it is best to place them in a container that will not come into contact with potatoes, apples or tomatoes.
One of the most common mistakes is storing onions in the refrigerator. While this may seem like a practical solution, it is actually the worst choice. Humidity, generated by the refrigerator, can quickly speed up the onion rotting process. In addition, onions emit ethylene, which has the effect of accelerating the ripening of other vegetables and fruits and, as a result, may deteriorate their quality.
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The refrigerator also does not provide the right temperature. Onions should be stored in a dry place, cool room, with temperatures ranging from 4 to 10 degrees Celsius.
The ideal place to store onions is cool basement, pantry or attic. The room must be dry and well ventilated – in such conditions the onions will stay fresh for several months. If you don’t have access to the basement and the attic doesn’t meet these criteria either, try finding another cool but dry place in your home.
However, we must always remember that the temperature cannot be too low or too high. Temperatures below 0°C may cause the onion to spoil, while temperatures above 10°C will speed up the germination process. If the onion has access to fresh air, there is no risk of it getting too wet and rotting.
