Food and holistic lifestyle expert Kristina Jackson goes over methods of picking the perfect onion. She discusses yellow, or Spanish, onions as well as purple onions.
Step 1: Check the Onion's Appearance
The first thing to look for is the overall appearance of the onion. An ideal onion has no blemishes, like mold or fungus, on its outer skin. It also has a round shape and a smooth surface that has no cracks. The color is also uniform and bright all over either for purple or yellow onion varieties.
Step 2: Feel and Smell the Onion
Firmness is important in an onion, and softness can be an indication that it’s overripe. In addition, a fresh onion has an outer texture that is smooth and not excessively scaly. A scaly outer or inner layer can indicate that the onion may have been on the shelf longer. Peeling the onion's layers can help you to assess its freshness and firmness. A strong, pungent smell can be an indication of a rotting onion. Another indicator of rotting in progress is liquid oozing from the onion with a light pinch.
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Meet Our Experts
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Kristina Jackson
A graduate of the Institute for Integrative Nutrition at Columbia University, natural food chef Kristina Jackson is a certified holistic health and lifestyle consultant. She is also the editor of the blog "The Whole Idea" which, according to Jackson, "takes us on a journey to experience all that life has to offer…naturally. Clean food, good fun and healthy, conscious living."
Tips for Selecting the Best Onion
- Look for a round shape
- Check the surface for cracks
- Choose a firm onion, as soft ones are likely over-ripe
