Although refrigerating onions may seem like the best way to keep them fresh, food storage experts have warned against this widely accepted method, instead suggesting an unusual hack
While many of us think nothing of popping our onions in the fridge, a food expert has revealed a better way to keep them fresh that most people don’t know about, and it could keep the mould at bay “for up to a year”.
Although it certainly seems like common sense to chuck all your veggies in the fridge, especially as the weather heats up in the summer, surprisingly, this actually isn’t the best place for onions and garlic.
Indeed, storing onions in the fridge exposes them to moisture and cold, which turns the starch in an onion into sugar, causing them to go soft and off. Therefore, experts advise keeping onions out of direct sunlight and in a cool, but not freezing, area with good air circulation. It comes after UK households issued warning if they have Nescafé coffee in kitchen.
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Recipe whizz Sarah Jampel says she keeps her onions in a cupboard with baking dishes but dreams of one day storing them in crates in a garage or cellar, reports the Express. She also warns against keeping onions near potatoes, as being close can cause the spuds to rot.
Meanwhile, Shop Food Waste advises taking onions out of the plastic bags they came in, as trapped moisture can cause them to go bad. Instead, they suggest using a net or mesh bag for better airflow, or a perforated basket or bin. If you’re short on these items, an old pair of tights can be given a new lease of life.
Simply pop the onions into one leg, tie a knot above each one, and repeat until the leg is full. This method allows the tights to be easily hung up for storage. Onions can stay fresh for up to a year if kept at temperatures between -1 and 10 degrees Celsius.
Otherwise, they will generally remain fresh for a few weeks. However, not all types of onions or alliums should be stored in the same manner. For instance, spring onions, sweet onions, leeks, garlic, and chives should be kept in the fridge.
Savvy experts suggest unbundling anything that comes in a bunch, such as spring onions, wrapping them in a damp paper towel, and then placing them in a bag or airtight container to maintain optimal freshness.
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