The onion is a vegetable from the allium genus, a bulbed plant grouping. They are one of the most common vegetables used in salads, sandwiches, and grilled dishes. The chemical compounds found within most onion species lend it a sharp, sweet flavor that mixes well with many meats.
There are around a dozen varieties of onion available and commonly used in cooking in North America, most popularly the shallot, Western Yellow, Walla Walla and Vidalia onion.
Many people experience eye irritation when slicing onions. This is caused by the sulphenic acids that are released as enzymes break down amino acids during the slicing motions.
Top 10 Onion Producers
How to Chop an Onion
From GoodHouseKeeping this video show the technique to properly chop an onion. There is a proper way to chop an onion to get uniform pieces of onion to use in your recipes. In only fifty six seconds, the narrator tell the viewer in comprehensive steps how to chop an onion and get the best looking pieces you have ever chopped before.
Smoke Grilled Onion Soup Recipe by the BBQ Pit Boys
Onion Merchandise
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References
Fast Facts
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Scientific name
Allium cepa
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Origination
Originated in Central Asia
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Soup
Main ingredient in French Onion Soup
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Main Ingredient
Used in almost every type of cooking, sometimes with garlic, to add flavor
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Another Name
Green onions also known as scallions
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Largest Producer
China is the world's largest producer of onions
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Myths
Ancient Egyptians believed that onions symbolized eternal life
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Migration
Pilgrims brought onions to North America on the Mayflower, though some varieties already existed
