Store onions in specific place to keep them edible 'for up to a year' without going mouldy

While many of us are guilty of chucking our onions in the fridge, it turns out that's not the best way to keep them fresh. You might think it makes sense to pop all your veggies in the fridge, especially when the weather heats up in summer , but onions and garlic should actually be kept elsewhere.

Storing onions in the fridge exposes them to cold and moisture , which can turn their starch into sugar and make them go soft and rotten. According to foodie bible Bon Appetit, light and moisture can cause onions to mold and sprout, so they're best kept in a dry, well-ventilated basket, bin or large bowl.

They suggest keeping onions away from direct sunlight in a cool - but not freezing - spot with good air circulation, reports the Express . Recipe whizz Sarah Jampel says she keeps her onions in a cupboard with baking dishes , but dreams of one day storing them in crates in a garage or cellar.

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She also warns against storing onions near potatoes, as they can make the spuds rot.

Food waste warriors at Shop Food Waste advise taking onions out of any plastic bags they came in, as trapped moisture can lead to them going off.

Instead, they suggest using a net or mesh bag for better airflow, or a perforated basket or bin. If you don't have these to hand, an old pair of tights will do the job.

Place onions into one leg of a pair of tights, tying a knot above each one, and repeat until the leg is full. This method allows for easy hanging storage.

Onions can last up to a year if stored at temperatures between -1 and 10 degrees Celsius.

Otherwise, they will typically stay fresh for several weeks. However, not all types of onions or alliums should be stored the same way.

For example, spring onions, sweet onions, leeks, garlic, and chives should be kept in the fridge.

The experts recommend unbundling anything that comes in a bunch, like spring onions, wrapping them in a damp paper towel, and then placing them in a bag or airtight container for optimal freshness