Black layer in an onion
I just sliced an onion and found that there is a large section of one of the layers that's black. What is the black substance? Is it safe to eat? If not, is the rest of the onion safe to eat?
The onion in question:
Best Answer
This is either mold or bacteria-caused rot. Don't eat it - the microorganisms which feed on raw plants are rarely pathogenic for humans, but will frequently create toxic metabolic byproducts. I would throw out the whole onion, molds can be toxic in very low doses, just from contamination between layers.
Pictures about "Black layer in an onion"
What is the black stuff in my onion?
A: That black, sooty-looking substance on the skins of onions is indeed a mold, specifically, Aspergillus niger. It is common on onions, both in the field and once dried, bagged and stored. The fungus typically is found on the outside skins of an onion, and it is harmless, for the most part.Can you eat onion with black mold?
Onions that are mildly affected are safe to eat, as long as the onion is firm and the moldy area can be removed. Peel off the affected layers, cut an inch around the black portion, and wash the unaffected portion. However, people with an allergy to Aspergillus shouldn't eat them.How do you know when an onion goes bad?
Spoiled onions may develop dark spots, which will eventually begin to grow mold. You'll also want to avoid onions that have started sprouting, as this indicates they're beginning to go bad. You can also feel your onions to check how fresh they are. Onions with soft or mushy spots are starting to go bad.White girl tried as a black man | React
More answers regarding black layer in an onion
Answer 2
Quoting from Can you use onions with black mold?:
Black mold on onion is caused by aspergillus niger, a common fungus in soil. To discourage mold growth, store onions in the refrigerator up to two months. Rinse off small amounts of the black mold on the outer scales of the onion under cool, running tap water or cut off the affected layers. The unaffected part can be used. Persons known to be allergic to Aspergillus niger should not use onions with black mold.
But if the mold penetrates the inner shell of the onion, I recommend throwing it away. Only use the above mentioned advice if the black mold is on the outside.
Answer 3
Do not be afraid like these people who have answered above. Yes, this is black mold. Since onion is layered and layered quite densely as that, you just need to remove the portion which has mold on it.
If the mold is topical, that is, within the layers of the skin, then all you need to do is wash thoroughly and soak in water adding a little (about 1 tsp.) of vinegar to it. You can go ahead and use it without any fear.
In this case too (as in the photo, I mean), you can use every portion of the onion that has not got any mold on it. Just repeat the rinsing method that I've suggested.
Please don't waste food. It is my humble request. Vinegar, ACV, Salt, lemon, turmeric are really effective ingredients to cleanse food. There's also baking soda water to use for rinsing the outer layers of any fruit or vegetable.
If you are still unsure about it and want to throw it away, then wash and discard it in a pot and let it decompose and make itself useful.
What grows among us, is not necessarily poisonous. So please don't waste food. Just make sure you find ways of cleansing it and/or re purposing it.
Thanks for the question. Hope my answer helps. Love and blessings from India.
Answer 4
If there is just a thin line of mold inside the onion, I discard the black and some of the area around it. rinse the rest chop it up and freeze it.Then use it in soups etc where it's cooked before use. Have done this for 40 years.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Engin Akyurt, Henry & Co., Ksenia Chernaya, Ksenia Chernaya