You spotted mold on your onion and you’re not the only one. We researched several health and nutrition studies on onion, as well as data written by relevant authorities about its spoiling process. We have the expertise to answer your questions and we’ll teach you how a moldy onion looks, tastes and smells like.
Let’s get right into it!
What does mold on onion look like?
When you look at an onion, mold usually appears as a fuzzy or slimy coating. It can be in various colors, such as white, black, green, or even blue.
The mold may not cover the entire onion. Sometimes, it’s just on a small part of the skin or in the layers underneath.
Scientifically, this mold is a type of fungus. It grows when the onion is stored in warm and humid conditions.
You might also notice a distinctive musty smell coming from the moldy onion. This is another sign of mold growth.
If you cut the onion open, the mold might have penetrated into the inner layers. The affected areas are usually soft and discolored.
Mold can also cause the onion to rot, resulting in a mushy texture and unpleasant odor.
If your onion has signs of mold, it’s important you know yours is indeed moldy.
Is moldy onion always harmful or can I eat it?
We know how it feels – your onion started molding but you don’t want to waste it.
However, it can be very dangerous to consume mouldy onion. It’s just not worth it. Something that started to mold isn’t just expired, it’s not fit to be consumed.
If you want to avoid this situation in the future, you might be interested to read our article about how to better store onion.
The health risks of consuming moldy onion
Moldy onions can cause food poisoning. You could experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps. These symptoms usually appear within 24 hours after eating the moldy onion.
Some molds produce harmful toxins. When you consume moldy onions, you might ingest these toxins. They can lead to serious health problems such as liver damage and immune system suppression.
Allergic reactions are another risk. If you’re allergic to mold, eating a moldy onion could trigger an allergic reaction. Symptoms can range from mild, like itching and sneezing, to severe, like difficulty breathing.
Moldy onions may contain bacteria. Molds can create an environment that’s conducive for bacteria growth. Consuming these bacteria can lead to infections, especially in people with weakened immune systems.
Long-term exposure to mold toxins can be harmful. Studies have shown that prolonged ingestion of these toxins can lead to chronic health issues. These include respiratory problems and heart disease.
Moldy onions may have reduced nutritional value. The mold feeds on the nutrients in the onion, which means you’re getting less nutritional benefit from the food.
Fun fact: Did you know the lifesaving antibiotic penicillin was actually discovered from mold? Yes, you heard right! Scientist Alexander Fleming made this amazing discovery in 1928 when he noticed that a certain type of mold, known as Penicillium, had killed the surrounding bacteria in his Petri dish. This happy accident ushered in a new era of antibiotics, effectively revolutionizing medicine worldwide!
How and why mold tends to form on onion
Mold on onions is a common occurrence due to the vegetable’s high moisture content and the presence of nutrients that mold spores thrive on. When you store onions in a warm, humid environment, it creates an ideal condition for mold growth.
Mold spores are microscopic and are present almost everywhere in the environment. They can easily land on the surface of your onion, especially if it has any cuts or bruises.
Once the spores land on the onion, they begin to grow and multiply. This process is facilitated by the onion’s moisture and nutrients.
The mold spreads by producing more spores. These new spores can then be carried by air currents to other parts of the onion or even to other onions nearby.
Under a microscope, this process looks like a branching network. The mold forms hyphae, which are long, thread-like structures that penetrate the onion’s tissue to absorb nutrients.
As the mold continues to grow, it may produce visible colonies. These are what you see as fuzzy patches on the surface of your onion.
Scientific studies have shown that certain types of mold prefer specific food sources. Onions are particularly susceptible to Aspergillus niger, a type of black mold.
This mold species produces a large number of spores that easily spread to other areas. This is why you might often find multiple onions in your storage infected with mold.
Mold growth can be rapid, especially in favorable conditions. Within just a few days, a small patch of mold can spread across the entire surface of your onion.
In summary, mold forms on onions due to their high moisture content and nutrient availability. The microscopic spores land on the onion, grow into hyphae that absorb nutrients, and produce more spores that spread to other areas.
Tips on preventing mold development in onion
Store onions in a cool, dry place. You need to keep your onions in a well-ventilated area that’s not exposed to heat or moisture. Studies show that these conditions help prevent mold growth.
Avoid storing onions with potatoes. Potatoes release moisture and gases that can cause onions to spoil faster. Keep them separate to prolong the life of your onions.
Use a mesh bag for storage. Mesh bags allow air circulation, which is crucial in preventing mold. You can also use pantyhose or any other breathable material.
Check your onions regularly. If you notice any signs of mold, remove the affected onions immediately. This prevents the mold from spreading to the rest of the batch.
Don’t store cut onions with the rest. Once an onion is cut, it becomes more susceptible to bacteria and mold. Store cut onions in a sealed container in the fridge and use within a few days.
Consider freezing if you can’t use them quickly. If you have more onions than you can use before they spoil, consider freezing them. Freezing halts the growth of mold and bacteria.
How do moldy onion taste like?
Mold on an onion can drastically alter its taste. You might notice a sour or bitter flavor that wasn’t there before. This is due to the metabolic processes of the mold.
Research shows that molds produce secondary metabolites called mycotoxins. These compounds are responsible for the off-putting taste you experience when you bite into a moldy onion.
Not only does mold affect the taste, but it also changes the texture of the onion. You might find the onion to be softer or mushier than usual. This is because mold breaks down the cell walls of the onion, causing it to lose its firmness.
The color of the onion may also change due to mold growth. You might see green, black, or white spots on the surface. These visual cues often go hand in hand with the altered taste and texture.
Remember, mold doesn’t just grow on the surface of an onion. It can penetrate deeper into the layers, affecting the taste throughout. So even if you remove the visible mold, the unpleasant taste may still linger.
Mold growth is influenced by factors like humidity and temperature. In warmer and more humid conditions, mold thrives and can significantly impact an onion’s taste in a short period of time.
In essence, mold turns the crisp, sweet, and slightly pungent flavor of a fresh onion into something unpleasantly sour or bitter. It also makes the texture soft and mushy, further detracting from your culinary experience.
What do onion with mold smells like?
When you first encounter a moldy onion, the smell can be quite overpowering. It’s a pungent aroma that is hard to ignore.
The scent is often described as musty or earthy. It’s not a pleasant smell, but rather one that makes you want to turn away.
Scientifically speaking, this smell is caused by the growth of bacteria and fungi on the onion. These microorganisms produce gases as they break down the onion, leading to the unpleasant odor.
The smell can also be somewhat sour, similar to the scent of spoiled milk or rotten eggs. This is due to the production of certain chemicals by the bacteria and fungi.
Interestingly, the smell can change over time. As the mold continues to grow and break down the onion, the odor can become even stronger and more unpleasant.
In short, a moldy onion smells musty, earthy, and sour. It’s an odor that is hard to ignore and one that you likely won’t forget.
Myths VS Reality
Myth 1:
Consuming moldy food is harmless, it just tastes bad.
Reality:
Eating moldy food can actually lead to food poisoning. Certain molds produce mycotoxins, which are harmful to health when ingested.
Myth 2:
Only visible molds are harmful. If we remove the moldy part, the rest of the food is safe to eat.
Reality:
Mold can penetrate deeper into food than it appears on the surface. It can spread its roots throughout the food, so removing just the moldy part does not guarantee safety.
Myth 3:
Molds on cheese are harmless.
Reality:
While certain cheeses are made using mold, such as blue cheese and gorgonzola, this doesn’t mean all molds are safe. If an unintentional mold inherits on the cheese, it might be harmful.
Myth 4:
All molds cause diseases.
Reality:
Not all molds are harmful. Some molds are used to produce antibiotics, while others are used in the production of certain foods, such as cheese and sausages.
Myth 5:
You can kill mold by freezing or cooking food.
Reality:
You can’t kill mold by cooking or freezing the affected food. While these methods may kill the mold seen on the surface, the toxins produced by the mold can still remain.
Myth 6:
Drinking alcohol can help kill the bacteria and toxins from moldy food.
Reality:
Drinking alcohol will not kill the toxins or harmful substances produced by mold. If anything, it will only increase your health risk if you’ve consumed moldy food.
Myth 7:
Mold only grows on food that is old and spoiled.
Reality:
Actually, mold can grow on fresh food as well, especially in wrong storage conditions and high humidity levels.
Myth 9:
Mold in foods is always visible.
Reality:
Sometimes, mold isn’t visible to the naked eye until it’s spread significantly. That’s why it’s good practice to smell your food before consumption to detect any unusual odors.
What next:
Now that you know if onion go bad in heat and if it needs to be refrigerated, you might be interested in learning better tips on food storage. We happen to have written a guide on how to properly store and preserve onion to extend its shelf life.