Onion plant started to be in use way back in 5000 Bc. Onions are part of the alliance family of vegetables and herbs which also include chives, garlic, scallions and leeks. Onions have been cultivated for centuries by Onion planters for their characteristics, sweet flavours and for their medicinal properties.

The botanical name for onions is “Allium Cepa”. Onions vary in size,  shape, colour and flavour. The most common types are red, yellow and white onions. Flavours can be sweet and juicy to sharp, spicy and delicious Often depending on the season in which they are grown and consumed.

Read Also: NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF FISH

It is estimated that 10 billion pounds of onions are harvested each year world-wide. China is the biggest producer of onion plants according to the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations (FAO).

VARIETIES AND BREEDS OF ONION PLANT

Some of them are better for soups because they have a higher sugar content.  Some can be eaten raw and others are better for dishes like French onion soup.  

There is an onion that doesn’t make water (tears) come out from one’s eyes. While some are very much effective. Some onion plants have flowers that are beautiful to behold.

When cutting onion, it helps to clean the eyes through the tears flowing from the eyes as a result of its effectiveness.

TYPES OF ONION TO LOOK OUT FOR WHY STUDYING ONION PLANT

1 Bermuda

• 

These onions are great for stuffing and baking.  They are also sweet. Which means, they won’t overpower the ingredients  you combine them with. Their size makes them a good choice for  stuffing.

2 Chives

• 

 

They are perfect seasoning for numerous  dishes. They are Particularly great for spicing up soups and salads.

3. Redwing

This is an onion type, great friends eating raw which makes them the perfect choice for sandwiches and salads.  They can also be used for cooking but they are good when consumed raw.

4 Leeks

Leeks are one of the versatile types of onions. They make great soups and if you cook them slowly with meat in a stew,  you are in for a real treat. They are also paired perfectly with bacon.

5  Welsh

They are perfect for making stir fry, they closely resemble green onions. They are usually bigger and despite the name,  they are mainly used in Asian cooking.  They are actually native to China.

6. Spanish onion

 

They are often confused with yellow onions,  the Spanish onions are sweet and have a lower water content than many onions.

Read Also: 13 Health benefits of plantain you must know in 60 seconds

Other examples of onions include Vidalia onions, pearl onions, red onions, pickling onions, cocktail onions,  Egyptian boiling onions, cipollini onions, Texas onions, wall walls onions, yellow onions, white onions, shallots onions etc.

These bulb vegetables called onions have good amounts of importance in the human body. They are usually cooked and eaten raw. Their importance makes them one of the best cultivated crops in the world.

Onions are rich in sulphur, fibres,  potassium, B complex, iron, flavours, phytochemicals, Calcium, vitamin C and they are low in fat,  cholesterol, sodium and manganese that offers protection  against cold and flu.

Please use the COMMENT section below to share your own view.