Is It Safe To Eat Onions With Black Marks? Doctor Reveals What They Actually Mean, And How To Clean Them!

When you buy onions from the market or order them online, have you ever noticed the black marks on them? You might have dismissed it, thinking it’s mud, and continued using it, but let us tell you those marks might be more than what meets the eye. Here’s what they actually are and what you can do about them. 

What Are Those Black Marks On Onions?

Onions are a major part of our Indian cooking in desi households. Can you even imagine curries and sabzis without onion ka tadka? These days, you might have noticed that no matter where you buy them from, a market vendor or online, many onions come with those pesky black marks that look like soot.

Now, a health and lifestyle coach, Dr Nandita Iyer (@saffrontrail) has put a name to what these marks actually are. Apparently, in an Instagram reel, she revealed that it is a type of fungus called Aspergillus niger. This fungus forms on onion peels due to the ingredient’s poor ventilation in storage houses, longer shelf-time in warehouses, and the dark, humid storage conditions often used by quick-commerce apps.

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Tips To Handle These Onions

But the next question is: are these onions safe to eat? The coach explains that if the black fungus is only on the dry paper skin, you can peel it off, wash the onion, and cook it as normal.

However, if you see the dark streaks inside the flesh, keep peeling until you find the clean pink or white flesh. If the onion has a musty smell or slimy texture, it’s best to throw it away. She also warns that sometimes these fungi can produce mycotoxins, which are linked to nausea and, very rarely, liver issues.

The coach shared a few simple tips to manage such onions:

• Always wash your hands with soap and water after chopping them.
  
• Store onions in mesh baskets for better ventilation. Do not store them in plastic bags.
  
• Buy them fresh from the market instead of online, so you can check them personally before bringing them home.
  

These tips are easy to follow. Many of her followers thanked her for sharing this vital information. One wrote, “Yes! I’m so glad you did this post. I always peel till I get a clear layer, and wash the onions well + hands, knife, etc. Simultaneously, the food waste police would be playing in my mind, but health and safety first.” While another commented, “I thought that this was pesticide, thank you for the clarification.”

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This information was much needed. The majority of onions in the market often have these marks, and we had no idea what it was. Now, we know to take better care in washing and peeling them before cooking.

Cover Image Courtesy: @saffrontrail and hobbyist_nanoscope/ Instagram