Today, I will show you how to tell if an onion is bad. Using fresh onions is essential to get as much of the peppery, spicy flavors as you can, along with the crunchy, tender texture. This in-depth guide will help ensure you get the most from this aromatic flavoring!
And, if you want to test the theory, you can use your fresh onions in my Cucumber And Onion Salad!
How To Tell If An Onion Is Bad
Today we will get right to the point. There are MANY different signs that an onion may not be good anymore. And what makes it tricky is that not all these signs appear simultaneously or even every time!
In one case, you may see discoloration on the flesh. In another, you may see the inside discoloring. There are really a lot of variables. And usually, you will need to look out for a couple of signs of bad onions.
Texture
This is one of the best and most accurate ways to know if your onion is bad. If the texture of the onion is soft, pliable, and mushy, the onion is no longer fresh.
Even if the onion doesn’t show any mold or rot, the softer texture means the flesh has started to break down. And with onions, the risk is that you ingest harmful chemicals once this happens. These can cause mild stomach aches, nausea, and even vomiting.
Stinky Pungent Odor
If you have ever smelled a rotting onion, you’ll never forget it. Onions can get extremely putrid when they go bad.
If you start noticing any sour, rancid, sulphuric odors from your batch of onions, you need to inspect them to find the bad ones in the batch.
If you don’t get rid of it as soon as possible, it can quickly cause the other onions or produce to spoil. This is a definitive way how to tell if an onion is bad.
Mold
The slight powdery black dust that is often found on the exterior hard shell of the onion is actually a type of mold. It’s not good. It doesn’t show that the onion has spoiled, but it definitely doesn’t indicate that the onion is super fresh.
If you see black powder on the brown skin of the onion look out for other signs of spoilage.
The skin can be peeled to remove the black mold. If there is any black mold on the actual flesh of the onion (the fresh parts), rinse it off.
As long as the mold isn’t accompanied by rotten areas or other types of mold, it should be fine to eat.
Discoloration
The outside of the onion is a thin, hard, crisp skin. This skin is usually uniformly brown or purple in color. At least, the fresher the onion is, the more uniform in color the skin will be.
A fresh onion also usually has a light brown, bright, saturated color. The older it gets, the darker this color gets.
So, how do you tell if an onion is bad? Now, as the onion spoils, the skin may also become black. This isn’t a good sign.
If you see any discoloration inside the onion (on the fresh fleshy parts), you should take a closer look for other signs of spoilage.
Green onions aren’t fresh at all. And, they aren’t “under-ripe.” They are a sign that the onions have aged too long and that they are starting to go off.
Sprouting
Sprouting doesn’t make onions inedible. It just means that they are no longer fresh and that their nutrients, texture, and flavor will be different.
You can definitely still eat onions that have sprouted. But remove all of these areas, including the inside layers that are now the start of leaves or roots.
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How To Tell If Red Onion Is Bad
Red onions have exactly the same signs of spoilage as white onions do.
The biggest difference is in the discoloration aspect. When red onions start going off, the bright, saturated purple color becomes faded and gets a bunch of different shades.
Red onions are also more prone to show black, mushy areas if they are far gone.
How To Properly Store Onions To Prevent Them From Spoiling
There are many different ways to store onions. And it mainly depends on how old they already are.
But, if you know how to tell if an onion is bad, you can easily adjust the storage techniques for your needs.
Onions shouldn’t be stored inside the fridge. The moisture inside the fridge gives the onions moist spots and softens their texture extremely quickly.
The only exception to this rule is if you live in a very humid and very warm country. This speeds up the sprouting process which makes the onion unusable after a while. In the same way that moisture from the fridge softens the onions’ texture, so will an extremely humid environment.
So, it’s better to extend the shelf life in the fridge IF you are using it within a couple of days.
Ideally, onions should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark space that is well-ventilated. It should not be in direct contact with any light, moisture, or heat.
And finally, don’t store potatoes and onions next to each other. They actually help each other spoil quicker.
Fresh onions, like leeks, chives, and green onions, can be stored inside the fridge. These are more herbaceous than vegetable-like.
Can You Freeze Onions? How To Tell If An Onion Is Bad
Onions can be frozen in many shapes and forms. However, if you plan on freezing fresh onions, keep in mind that their texture will NEVER be the same again.
Like with all fresh produce, once you thaw the ingredients, ice crystals completely ruin the onions’ texture. This also simultaneously causes some flavor, aromas, and, of course, nutrients to leech out.
So, don’t expect to use the frozen, thawed onions in a fresh salad, salsa or to make crunchy pickles. It’s best to use frozen onions in stews, soups, sauces, and cooked toppings.
You can also freeze pickled onions. Again, they will lose their crunch. But it’s a surefire way to extend their shelf life.
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