Your onions smell because they are likely starting to spoil. While a fresh onion has a mild, slightly sweet smell, a bad onion will emit a pungent, sour, and acrid odor. This is a sign that it's no longer safe to eat.
Here's a breakdown of why onions develop that unpleasant smell:
- Decomposition: As an onion begins to rot, bacteria and fungi break down its cellular structure.
- Sulfur Compounds: Onions naturally contain sulfur compounds. When they decompose, these compounds are released, creating the strong, unpleasant smell.
- Spoilage Signs: The smell is one of the key indicators that an onion has gone bad. Other signs include:
- Soft or Mushy Texture: A fresh onion should be firm.
- Discoloration: Dark spots or a slimy film are signs of spoilage.
- Sprouts: While sprouting doesn't necessarily make an onion unsafe to eat (the sprouts can be bitter), it indicates that the onion is past its prime.
If your onions have a foul odor, it's best to discard them to avoid potential health issues.
