Storing onions is a bit different than storing garlic. So, if you ask me how to store onions or rather why you need to take extra care while storing onions, I would say, if you do it properly, your onions will stay fresh for a quite longer time. Much longer than you imagine.
Let’s see what you should do.
Dry and Cool Location:
‘A cool and dry place’, that’s what your onions need. The ideal temperature for storing onion is 7°C to 13°C. But, a topical country like India we hardly get to see this much drop in the temperature. So, if you are also from a region where the temperature doesn’t drop down, you have to figure out the coolest corner of your house. But, always keep it at bay from a humid area. Humidity is its primary enemy. So keep it away from the basement or dishwashing area.
Avoid Moisture:
Moisture causes onions to rot. Make sure your onions are stored in a dry environment. Never ever wash onions before storing. Just remember, no water, no fungus.
Air Circulation:
You should store your onions at a very well ventilated area. Keep them in mesh bags, baskets, or crates with holes. This way you can create quite a good atmosphere to circulate the air around them.
Keep Away from Light:
Spot a comparatively darker corner to store the onions. Onions are photosensitive. The darkness of the ambiance will stop them from sprouting. A pantry or a cupboard with good ventilation is ideal for storing onions.
Separate from Potatoes:
Storing potatoes and onions together is a big-time “No No”. Potatoes tend to release moisture and gas leading onions to rot. So, better store them in separate places.
Keep an eye on it:
Signs of sprouting or rotting need to be addressed fast if you are wondering how to store onions so that they stay fresh longer. Keep a vigilant eye on the onions. A little sign of spoilage, and you need to remove the onion from the stack so that it might not affect the other ones.
Alternative Methods:
If you have already cut onions and in desperate need of storing them, I would suggest you store them in an airtight container and keep it in a refrigerator. Use it quickly, before it becomes stale.
Conclusion:
These are a few guidelines which will help you on how to store onions properly. Just adapt all of these to get the best result.
Read other Kitchen Hacks here.