How to Keep Onions from Sprouting or Going Soft

 

If you are struggling with onions sprouting and softening - leading to more waste than use - you are in the right place. In this blog, we will explore how various conditions impact onion quality, and how you can keep them fresh for as long as possible.

Suitable Storage Conditions for Dry Bulb Onions

Here are the right conditions for storage of white, yellow or red onions:

• Cool: The ideal temperature range for onion cold storage without risk of sprouting or softening is between fridge temperature and room temperature. In numbers, it should be somewhere between 4°C and 10°C. These conditions can be created in a room, your basement or even a garage can work as an ideal space.

• Dry: Onions do not like high humidity; it rots them rapidly. In a dry place, you can keep them in open baskets. And if you want to keep them in the fridge, put them in a crisper at low humidity. Also, never store them in plastic bags as they trap moisture.

• Dark: Onions are also sensitive to light conditions. When lighting changes, it also alters the temperature and humidity levels of the place, which can deteriorate the health of onions. Keep them in a dark place where direct sunlight cannot enter.

• Ventilated: You can also keep onions in a mesh bag or spread them out in a single layer to allow proper airflow around them.

When you take care of the above basics, onions can be stored optimally for two to three months without sprouting or softening.

However, if you are someone who prefers to keep everything in the fridge, including onions, ensure you do not buy more than required and that they are used fresh within a week or two before they rot.

What happens if you store them at room temperature? Well, after a week or two, onions will begin to sprout or soften, which changes their taste – making it more pungent. Though they are still safe to eat, they are certainly not delicious enough to enjoy.

Onion Harvesting & Storage Timeline in India

In India, onions are harvested by March or April. From May to Novemeber, about six months, their quality and shelf life is maintained in cold storage. These cold rooms maintain optimal conditions – temperatures between 4-10°C and a relative humidity of 65-70%.

Onions can be stored for up to 10 months without deterioration.

Some onions tend to rot in the first few months of cold storage – during June and July – because of

high temperature and humidity levels around this time.

And onions begin to sprout at the end of the storage period. However, sprouting can occur anytime if you expose onions to high temperatures or humidity.

While storage losses vary between 30% to 90%, they can be significantly reduced by harvesting at the right time, proper curing, and maintaining appropriate storage conditions.

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