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Onions stay fresher and don't sprout so quickly when stored away with 1 item

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In a previous chat to Express.co.uk, Sophie Trueman at Too Good To Go - where customers can buy surplus food from businesses at a discount - shared how to reduce food wastage. "Keep whole onions in a cool, dry, dark spot with good airflow," said Sophie. "A cupboard works well."

While her advice is true, it's not the key bit of information that keeps onions from sprouting legs. Onions - whether they be brown, yellow, or red - need to be stored away inside "paper bags" to last for as long as possible. Trueman explained that paper bags enable the onions to "breathe" so that they are less likely to moisten and become mouldy.

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It's also wise to store onions far away from potatoes, as being close together will cause problems for both of the vegetables.

Onions are likely to become moist, soft and rotten; potatoes are likely to sprout and spoil faster.

This is because onions release ethylene gas, a natural compound, that speeds up the ripening process.

As for cut onions, the storage method changes - and they are likely to only last for up to five days.

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When storing a cut onion, it's best to place them in a "sealed container in the fridge" - but be on the lookout for signs the onion has gone off.

When it comes to deciding whether or not to throw out an onion, Trueman advises using your senses.

She noted that if an onion feels slimy, has mould, or smells off, then it's best to cut your losses and toss it in the bin.

For those wanting even more practical tips on reducing kitchen waste, Trueman recommends downloading the Too Good To Go app, a helpful resource for saving good food from going to the bin.

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