6 ways to preserve onions for a long time without worrying about them spoiling

Onions, if not stored properly, will easily rot and spoil. Is there a way to preserve onions for a long time without rotting? You can apply the following methods.

How to preserve onions for a long time

If you want your onions to stay fresh as long as possible, follow these steps:

Store in a cool, dry place

Onions should be stored in a cool, dry, dark place with good air circulation to prevent moisture build-up and rot. Place onions in a well-ventilated pantry or kitchen, away from heat and sunlight.

Store onions in mesh bags and baskets

Instead of storing onions in plastic bags, place them in mesh bags or baskets to keep air circulating, prevent moisture build-up, and prevent rotting. You can also place onions in open cartons for better preservation.

If you buy onions in plastic bags, be sure to remove them as soon as you get home. A paper bag, basket, or cardboard box will provide better ventilation. Make sure they are stacked loosely so that air has a chance to circulate around each bulb.

Do not store onions in plastic bags.

If you regularly put onions in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, stop this habit immediately. The humidity in the refrigerator and the airtightness of the plastic bag can cause the onions to develop roots and spoil. This way, you can only store onions for about 2 to 3 days.

Do not store onions with potatoes.

Do not put onions together with potatoes because the steam from the potatoes can easily make the onions become damp and rot faster. At the same time, potatoes can easily "catch the smell" of onions, making the dish taste strange after cooking.

Should not be stored in the refrigerator

You would normally store vegetables in the refrigerator, but don’t do that with onions. The high humidity in the refrigerator will cause onions to soften and rot quickly.

Preserving onions by freezing

Although you should not store onions in the refrigerator, freezing them will help preserve them perfectly. With this method, you should not leave the whole onion but wash it, peel it, cut it into pieces or small pieces, then put it in a zip bag or airtight container and put it in the freezer. This method can preserve onions for a long time, when you need to use them, just defrost them.

Medicinal uses of onions

Below are the health benefits of onions.

Calcium supplement, helps strengthen bones

Onions are rich in calcium, comparable to calcium-rich vegetables such as cabbage. They also contain magnesium and potassium. The calcium and phosphorus in onions are in a suitable, balanced ratio that is easily absorbed. Those who want to supplement calcium to prevent osteoporosis should consider onions a priority food.

Prevent colds

Onions help prevent colds and relieve symptoms such as stuffy nose and runny nose caused by colds. Studies have shown that onions contain allicin, which has strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting and destroying many types of viruses.

Support to lower blood pressure

Onions are one of the few vegetables that contain prostaglandin A, which can dilate blood vessels and reduce blood viscosity, thereby contributing to lowering blood pressure and preventing thrombosis.

In addition, quercetin in onions also has very good antioxidant effects, eliminating free radicals, and limiting aging in women.

Prevent cancer

Allicin and quercetin in onions help reduce inflammation, which is beneficial for cancer prevention. Italian researchers have collected and analyzed research data on the relationship between types of onions and the incidence of stomach cancer. The results show that if you regularly eat onions, the risk of stomach cancer will decrease.