When you come across a recipe that calls for red or yellow onions, you probably think that you can use whatever onions you have handy, but this is actually not the case. When a recipe calls for a particular kind of onion to be used, they actually mean that kind of onion!

Red, yellow, and white onions are all slightly different when it comes to their flavor and texture. Before delving into these differences, how do you know which onions to buy at the store?

Well, when purchasing onions, go for those that feel heavy and firm in your hand. Avoid soft onions or ones that have a sharp odor before peeling; these are clear signs that the onion is old. Except for sweet onions, since these onions can be stored for a number of weeks in a cool, dark pantry or cupboard.

Why are sweet onions stored differently? Well, read on to find out why, and what the crucial differences are between common onion varieties.

Yellow Onions

More often than not, yellow onions are our go-to onions - kind of like an all-purpose onion. They tend to have a nice balance of astringency and sweetness, becoming sweeter the longer that they are cooked. They are usually fist-sized and have a fairly tough outer skin and meaty layers that can be tricky to cut. The only variety of yellow onion that we are most likely to find in the store are Spanish ones. This type is slightly sweeter and more delicate in flavor.

White Onions