Onion is an indispensable food in the kitchen, which can add unique flavor whether cooked or eaten raw. Once cut, its fragile nature is exposed. How long can we enjoy the delicious onion after it is cut? Today, we will discuss this curious question.
Incision size and storage time
The cutting area of onion directly affects its storage time. The smaller the incision, the more surfaces that come into contact with air and moisture, and the easier it is to deteriorate.
Chopping: Chopped onions have the shortest shelf life, usually only 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
Dice: Diced onions have a longer shelf life and can be stored in the refrigerator for 4-6 days.
Slicing: Sliced onions have a long shelf life and can be stored in the refrigerator for 6-8 days.
Cut in half: cut the onion in half, which has the longest shelf life and can be stored in the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Storage conditions: sealed, refrigerated and fresh.
Storage environment also has a significant effect on the shelf life of chopped onions.
Sealed storage: put the chopped onion into a sealed container or fresh-keeping bag to minimize the contact between air and moisture, thus prolonging the shelf life.
Refrigeration temperature: storing onions in the refrigerator at 0-4℃ can effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria and extend the shelf life.
Signs of deterioration: warning signals can not be ignored
As time goes on, the chopped onions will show signs of deterioration, and we need to discard them in time:
Moldy: The most obvious sign of deterioration is the appearance of green or white mold on the surface of onion.
Discoloration: Fresh onions should be white or light yellow. If the chopped onion turns black, it means it has rotted.
Soft and rotten: fresh onions have a solid texture. If they become soft and rotten, it means that they have gone bad.
Smell: Fresh onion is slightly spicy. If there is an odor or rancid smell, it means that they have gone bad.
The secret of prolonging the shelf life
In addition to the above storage methods, you can also extend the shelf life of chopped onions through some intimate secrets:
Use lemon juice: drop lemon juice on sliced onions, and its acidic components can inhibit the growth of bacteria.
Use salt water: soak the chopped onions in salt water. Salt can inhibit dehydration and deterioration.
Use plastic wrap: wrap the chopped onion tightly with plastic wrap to isolate air and moisture.
Postscript: Onions are stored and delicious for a long time.
After onion is cut, the shelf life varies with the size of the cut and the storage conditions. By mastering the correct storage method and the secret of prolonging the shelf life, we can give full play to the delicious taste of onion and let it play its unlimited delicious potential in our kitchen.