Anyone who stores their potatoes and onions together is urged to change this habit; it is imperative
Potatoes and onions often end up together in the same basket or cupboard. However, this very common habit isn't necessarily the best way to preserve them for longer. A simple change can help maintain their firmness and prevent waste.
They often end up side by side in a basket, a hamper, or the same cupboard. After all, potatoes and onions have several things in common: they keep well outside the refrigerator, they like dark places, and they feature in a multitude of everyday recipes.
However, storing them together to save space isn't necessarily a good idea. This very common habit can accelerate their aging and cause both foods to sprout or soften more quickly than they would if stored separately.
The reason lies in the conditions that are created when they remain in close proximity for a long time. Potatoes release moisture as they are stored, while onions can promote their sprouting.
As a result, each contributes to shortening the other's shelf life. Tubers can become soft, wrinkle, or develop sprouts, while onions, in turn, risk losing their firmness and spoiling. Separating these two pantry staples is therefore a simple way to avoid throwing away part of your food supply.
Good habits to prevent potatoes from sprouting
Potatoes primarily require darkness and good air circulation. Leaving them for several weeks in a supermarket mesh bag on a bright work surface is therefore not the best solution.
Light can cause them to turn green, while an overly warm environment encourages the growth of germs. Excessive humidity increases the risk of mold and rot. It's best to transfer them to a crate, basket, canvas bag, or paper bag and place them in a cool, dry, and dark location.
It is also not advisable to wash potatoes before storing them. While this may seem like a convenient way to save time when cooking, the moisture remaining on their surface can accelerate their spoilage.
When covered in soil, a simple dry brushing is sufficient. It's also helpful to regularly check your stock: a very soft, moldy, heavily sprouted, or largely green potato should be removed quickly to prevent the others from spoiling.
A small change in the cupboard to keep them longer
Onions also appreciate a dry, cool, and dark place, but they need their own dedicated space. A paper bag with a few holes punched in it, a well-ventilated basket, or a mesh bag placed in a cupboard or pantry is usually perfectly suitable.
However, the refrigerator is not ideal for whole, unpeeled onions: its humid atmosphere can soften them and promote spoilage. The main goal is to maintain sufficient air circulation around them and avoid airtight containers that trap moisture.
Therefore, it's not necessary to completely overhaul your kitchen to extend the shelf life of these foods. Two separate baskets, placed in a cool cupboard away from heat sources, can make a significant difference.
Although they require fairly similar storage conditions, potatoes and onions are not a pair to be stored together. Keeping them separate limits their mutual sprouting and softening, while also giving each batch a better chance of remaining firm and usable for longer.
