Did You Know Facts About Onion?

One serving of onion contains 45 calories. The average American eats almost 18.8 pounds of fresh and storage type onions every year. To keep up, that’s 350 semi-truck loads of onions per day! The country that eats the most onions per capita is Libya, where each person eats about 66.8 lbs of onions every year.

How did onions get their name?

The plants name comes from the Latin Unio or annianus and is associated with the welsh einion, meaning “anvil”. The Late Latin name Unio was used to describe a species of onion resembling a single white pearl. This was later formed into the basis for the French, “oignon” and then later the English, “Onion”.

How do you explain onions to kids?

Onions are a vegetable cultivated and consumed by humans. It’s estimated humans have been growing and eating onions for at least 7,000 years. Onions are the bulb of several different species of plants in the genus Allium. Onions are also known as the bulb onion or the common onion.

Who invented onions?

Onion is thought to have originated more than 5000 years ago in Central Asia and is one of the most ancient of food sources. Its consumption by humans can be traced back to the Bronze Age. A staple in the diet of many early civilizations, it was especially important in ancient Egypt.

Where was onions originally from?

southwestern Asia
The onion is likely native to southwestern Asia but is now grown throughout the world, chiefly in the temperate zones. Onions are low in nutrients but are valued for their flavour and are used widely in cooking.

Why do onions make you cry?

When an onion is sliced or diced, the onion’s cells release these compounds into the air. When this occurs, “enzyme” works to alter the amino acids into lachrymator compounds. This form of sulfuric acid irritates the nerves around the eyes making them tear.

How old are onions?

It is presumed our predecessors discovered and started eating wild onions very early – long before farming or even writing was invented. Very likely, this humble vegetable was a staple in the prehistoric diet. Most researchers agree the onion has been cultivated for 5000 years or more.

Is an onion a fruit?

No, an onion is not a fruit because the edible part is not grown from the flower of the plant and it doesn’t contain seeds. Therefore, and onion cannot be classified as a fruit.

What are the uses of onion?

9 Impressive Health Benefits of Onions

• Packed With Nutrients.
• May Benefit Heart Health.
• Loaded With Antioxidants.
• Contain Cancer-Fighting Compounds.
• Help Control Blood Sugar.
• May Boost Bone Density.
• Have Antibacterial Properties.
• May Boost Digestive Health.

What color are onions?

It comes in various colours ranging from white to pale yellow, orange, pink and dark purple. The colour of the onion is due to the presence of anthocyanins and anthoxanthins which belong to the class of Flavonoids.

Are onions good for you?

Onions may have several health benefits, mostly due to their high content of antioxidants and sulfur-containing compounds. They have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and have been linked to a reduced risk of cancer, lower blood sugar levels, and improved bone health.

Who first cooked onions?

It is believed that onions were first cultivated in central Asia. One of the world’s oldest cookery books in the Cuneform script in Babylonia recorded in 1750 BC, has references to the onion as an ingredient in several dishes. Ancient Egypt made extensive use of onions.

Why are onions so popular?

It comes down, mostly, to the fact that they are so easy to grow and do so in large quantities, they are easy to store, cheap and flavourful. Onions grow very easily, in all types of soil and can face many different temperatures, which makes them very accessible.

Which country is the largest producer of onion?

China
China was the largest producer of onions in the world in 2019 followed by India and the United States. China and India both produced more than 50 billion pounds of onions in 2019. Seventeen (17) countries produced more than 3 billion pounds of onions in 2019.

Is onion seed poisonous?

As you’ve learned, onion flowers are not poisonous, and they are actually edible. Onion flowers are also where the plant’s seeds are housed.

When was the first onion discovered?

In Egypt, onions can be traced back to 3500 B.C. There is evidence that the Sumerians were growing onions as early as 2500 B.C. One Sumerian text dated to about 2500 B.C. tells of someone plowing over the city governor’s onion patch.

Does onion clean eyes?

It stimulates the eyes’ lachrymal glands so they release tears. Scientists used to blame the enzyme allinase for the instability of substances in a cut onion. Recent studies from Japan, however, proved that lachrymatory-factor synthase, (a previously undiscovered enzyme) is the culprit (Imai et al, 2002).

Why do onions smell?

The tears and the odor are caused by very volatile and reactive sulfur compounds released after rupture of the onion cell structure. When onions are cut and the tissue is damaged, chemical reactions occurs giving rise to the characteristic sulfurous note of the onion odor [1–3].

Which acid is in onion?

One sulfur compound in onions, called propyl sulfoxide, escapes into the air when you slice an onion. When it comes into contact with moisture, such as water vapor in the air or the natural moisture around your eyes, it changes into sulfuric acid.

What is onion made of?

Most onion cultivars are about 89% water, 9% carbohydrates (including 4% sugar and 2% dietary fibre), 1% protein, and negligible fat (table). Onions contain low amounts of essential nutrients and have an energy value of 166 kJ (40 kilocalories) in a 100 g (3.5 oz) amount.

How long can onions last?

According to The Chef’s Garden cookbook, onions stored at temperatures between 30°F and 50°F will keep for up to one year. Otherwise, they’ll last for several weeks.