How long onions last depends on storage. If the conditions are not optimal, the onions will shoot or even rot. In both cases, the tubers are no longer suitable for consumption and must be disposed of.
Onions can also be stored hung up
The storage of onions
Onions are used almost every day in the kitchen. So store them within reach, in a bucket under the sink, in a basket on the cupboard or on the worktop. Stored in this way, the tubers will keep for one to two weeks. Due to the prevailing climate in the kitchen, the onions begin to sprout quickly, in the worst case they rot.
If you always buy a small amount of onions, they will certainly not spoil in the kitchen, but large amounts of onions have to be stored in a different way.
Cut onions are kept in a can in the refrigerator and used as quickly as possible. They should never be wrapped in aluminum foil as the metal taste and traces of aluminum can leach into the onion.
Store the onion crop properly
If the onion harvest is good, you want to store it until winter or longer. If the conditions are right, the onions will keep for up to six months.
Shelf life depends on various criteria:
- on the one hand from the onion variety
- on the other hand, whether they are spring or winter onions
Onion varieties with higher sulfur content produce more tears when cut, but they also have a longer shelf life.
Onions cultivated during the cold months can be stored longer than summer onions. Spring onions are best eaten in a timely manner.
Tips for buying onions
Not everyone owns a garden and grows their own bulbs. Onions are usually bought in stores for daily use and storage.
If you want to store onions longer, there are various factors to consider when buying. The onions should be plump, firm and dry. They must not have any green shoots. A wrinkled, stained skin indicates inferior goods. If the onion is mushy or smells musty, it is no longer suitable for consumption.
After purchase, the bulbs are removed from their container and stored in an airy basket or box in the dark.
It must not be too humid at the storage location. If the humidity rises above 70%, there is a risk of mold growth.