Quick answer
Store onions, potatoes and garlic in a cool, dry, dark and airy place, outside the fridge, in open baskets or mesh bags. Keep onions and potatoes in separate baskets, never in sealed plastic bags, and remove any soft or sprouting pieces. Stored well, they last two to four weeks or more.
Key takeaways
- Cool, dry, dark and airy is the rule for all three.
- Never store onions and potatoes together.
- Avoid the fridge and sealed plastic bags.
- Check every few days and remove soft or sprouting pieces.
Why these three need special care
Onions, potatoes and garlic are among the most-used vegetables in an Indian kitchen and are usually bought in larger amounts. They store well, but only in the right conditions. Moisture makes them rot, warmth and light make them sprout, and storing them wrongly can spoil a whole basket.
How to store onions
- Keep whole, dry onions in an open basket, mesh bag or wire rack.
- Choose a cool, dry spot with good air flow, away from the stove and sink.
- Do not store whole onions in the fridge; the moisture softens them.
- Do not keep them in closed plastic bags; they sweat and rot.
- Small onions store the same way and should be dry before storing.
- Once cut, wrap the onion and keep it in the fridge for a day or two.
How to store potatoes
- Keep potatoes in a dark place; light turns them green.
- Use a basket, cardboard box or cloth bag that lets air through.
- Keep them cool but not in the fridge, which can change their taste and texture.
- Do not wash them before storing.
- Remove any potato that turns soft or smells bad.
How to store garlic
Whole garlic bulbs keep best in an open basket or mesh bag in a cool, dry place. Keep the bulb whole until you need it, since separated cloves dry out faster. Peeled garlic can be kept in a closed container in the fridge for about a week. Garlic paste should be refrigerated and used within a few days unless preserved with oil and salt.
Why onions and potatoes must be kept apart
Onions release gases and moisture that encourage potatoes to sprout, and potatoes give off moisture that makes onions soft and mouldy. Kept side by side, both spoil faster. Store them in separate baskets, ideally a little distance apart.
Stopping sprouts and green patches
Sprouting happens when these vegetables sense warmth and light. Keep them in the darkest, coolest part of your kitchen and buy amounts you will use in two to four weeks. If a potato has small sprouts, cut them out along with any green parts before cooking. Discard potatoes that are very green, soft or shrivelled. Sprouted garlic is safe to eat, though it may taste slightly bitter.
How long they last
In good conditions, onions last two to four weeks or more, potatoes two to three weeks, and whole garlic bulbs three to five weeks. In hot, humid weather, expect shorter times and check more often.
Buy the right amount
Because they store well, onions, potatoes and garlic are good items to buy every two to three weeks. At Sarvajana Stores in Pappampatti, you can buy them by the kg for home or in bulk bags for hotels and functions.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Whole onions should not be kept in the fridge, as moisture makes them soft. Store them in a cool, dry, airy place. Cut onions can be wrapped and refrigerated for a day or two.
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