What are the different types of onions?
- Yellow onions. If you had to choose one type of onion to buy, yellow onions are the most versatile.
- Sweet onions. Sweet onions, as you may have guessed, are sweet.
- Red onions.
- White onions.
- Shallots.
- Scallions (also known as green onions)
- Cipollini Onions.
- Pearl Onions.
Full Answer
What onions are best?
Red Onions
- Best used for raw or cold dishes
- Mild taste, not as "oniony" as other types
- Use as toppings for burgers and sandwiches, or in salads, salsas, etc.
- A good substitute for white onions
Which onions are best for every type of dish?
Yellow & Brown Onions
- All-purpose onion for almost any dish
- Sharp taste raw, mellow flavor cooked
- Good for long cooking times (roasts, braises, stews, etc.)
- A good substitute for ANY type of onion
What are the largest onion varieties?
List of Onion Varieties
- Onion Species. Bulb-forming onion varieties ( Allium cepa) are annual plants that are pulled from the soil when their bulbs are ready for harvest.
- Short-Day Varieties. Short-day onion plants require about 12 hours of daylight each day to form bulbs. ...
- Long-Day Varieties. ...
- True Bunching Onions. ...
- Growth Requirements. ...
- Sweet Onion Varieties. ...
Which type of onion is the sweetest?
Sweet onion varieties include Walla Walla, Maui, Vidalia, as well as others with the word "sweet" in the name. White Onions White onions have a papery white skin, and their flavor is milder and sweeter than yellow onions, making them good for serving raw in fresh salsa or homemade guacamole .
What kind of onion should I use for a recipe?
If a recipe doesn’t specify what type of onion to use, your safest bet is a yellow onion. “Yellow onions are your standard cooking onion. I always reach for a yellow onion unless I have some other reason to reach for something else,” says Kim Reddin, the director of public and industry relations for the National Onion Association.
What color are red onions?
Red Onions. Red onions are ubiquitous on salads, sandwiches and other raw preparations partly because of their appealing deep-purple color. Reddin warns, however, “Red onions, specifically, can have a really peppery, spicy flavor to them.”. This variety is sweetest from March to September.
What is the taste of white onions?
White onions it the type of onion you’ll usually find in prepared salads (potato and macaroni salads, for instance) and traditionally in Mexican cuisine. “White onions can be strong but they tend to have less aftertaste,” Reddin says. Their slightly sweet taste adds to fresh salsas, guacamole, ceviche and tacos. They’re also commonly served up in barbecue establishments with a plate of meat, pickle and sides. Try our simple technique for caramelized onions.
What are white onions good for?
White Onions. Good for: Mexican dishes and grilling. White onions it the type of onion you’ll usually find in prepared salads (potato and macaroni salads, for instance) and traditionally in Mexican cuisine. “White onions can be strong but they tend to have less aftertaste,” Reddin says.
What are alliums in cooking?
Alliums (onions, garlic, leeks, scallions) are a staple in every home cook’s kitchen. Whether they’re tucked into a quiche or caramelized and folded into mac and cheese, different types of onions can add immense flavor to any dish.
How to store onions?
The papery orbs shouldn’t have a scent. Onions should be stored in a cool, dark place with plenty of ventilation, according to the National Onion Association. Avoid storing whole unpeeled onions in the refrigerator. 9 / 9.
What is red onion?
Red onions are ubiquitous on salads, sandwiches and other raw preparations partly because of their appealing deep-purple color. Reddin warns, however, “Red onions, specifically, can have a really peppery, spicy flavor to them.” This variety is sweetest from March to September. Red onions pair well with equally strong-flavored greens such as kale or arugula. Reddin also recommends red onions for roasting, grilling and pickling. Check out our favorite red onion recipes.
What are the different types of onions?
The main different types of onions are the common yellow onion, red onions, and white onions. However, other kinds of onions such as scallions, leeks, and shallots are widely used in the kitchen. Even though onions are a pungent type of vegetable commonly used in ...
What is the most common onion?
Yellow onion is one of the most common types of onions in the world. Yellow onions ( Allium cepa) have a strong rich flavor, papery brown-yellow skin, and are one of the most common types of onions in the world. Cutting through the pale-yellow skin of the onion reveals a light-yellow or white flesh.
What kind of onion is Mayan?
Mayan sweet onions. Mayan sweet onion have flattened globular shape. Similar to Vidalia onions, Mayan onions are a type of super-sweet onion that are delicious when you eat them raw. Mayan sweet onions come from Peru and don’t give off the pungent aromas as yellow or white onions do.
Why are sweet onions so popular?
Various types of sweet onions are very popular due to their mild taste and lack of pungent onion flavor. Sweet onions are not a specific variety of onion, but types of onion cultivars that have been developed to have a sweeter rather than sharp flavor.
Why are yellow onions so good?
The reason that yellow onions have such a powerful taste is due to their high levels of sulfur. As well as containing sulfur compounds, yellow onions and most other types of onions are rich in antioxidants. This yellow onion variety is good for frying and sautéing because its sweetness intensifies as it caramelizes.
What are pearl onions?
Small tiny onions such as pearl onions are great for pickling and have a sweeter flavor. In this article, you will find out about the many different types of onions and how to use them. You will also learn what makes one variety of onion different from another.
Why are red onions so sweet?
Using red onions raw in salads or in lightly cooked foods is common because they have a milder flavor than some other kinds of onions. For example, raw yellow onions tend to be sharper in taste than the red/purple onion varieties. However, just like Spanish onions, red onions roast well and become much sweeter.
How many different types of onions are there?
26 Different Types of Onions. Get to know the different types of onions that can be found all over the world and how these highly nutritious plants are used for various purposes aside from cooking. Onions are vegetables that belong to the Amaryllidaceae family.
What is the best onion to use instead of Spanish onions?
If you need a replacement for either Spanish onions or shallots, the Bermuda onion is what you should choose. 2. Boiling Onions. Boiling onions are white in color and are usually used for soups, stews, and creamed dishes. They have a mild flavor and are also great in casseroles.
What does Spanish onion taste like?
Great for stuffing and for making the perfect onion rings, Spanish onions look a lot like regular yellow onions and have a sweet taste. They also have a lower water content than many other types of onions, and they are perfect in a variety of dishes as well.
What are the best onions to use for stuffing?
Onions Nutrition Facts Chart. Now let’s jump into your onion options. 1. Bermuda Onions. Bermuda onions are great for both stuffing and baking, mainly because of their large size. They have a slightly sweet flavor that won’t overpower the rest of the ingredients, and they are a favorite on certain holidays.
What color are cipolini onions?
Cipollini Onions. Cipollini onions are usually a beige or brown color, and they have a rich, sweet taste. If you want the perfect onion to caramelize or roast, the Cipollini onion is the one to choose. They also taste great in salads.
What is the taste of yellow onions?
Yellow onions have a pungent taste, although not nearly as pungent as the white onion. Sometimes confused with Spanish onions, yellow onions are used for numerous recipes, especially when you’re looking for a kick to your dish.
What are the flavors of Maui onions?
With a sweet and juicy flavor, Maui onions are great when marinated, grilled, or caramelized. The taste of Maui onions really comes out when you use them in sandwiches, onion rings, and various salads. 11. Mayan Sweet Onions.
What are the different types of onions?
21 Types of Onions. 1. Sweet onions: Bermuda Onions. These onions are great for stuffing and baking, they're also delicately sweet which means they won't overpower the ingredients you combine them with. Their size makes them the go-to choice for stuffing. Speciality Produce.
What is the family of onions?
Part of the allium family, which also includes garlic and chives, onions are versatile and provide the backbone to thousands of different dishes, there are also many different kinds. Despite playing a significant role in many recipes across many different cuisines, they're still one of the most underrated ingredients on the shopping list, ...
What kind of onions are used in onion rings?
7. Sweet onions: Spanish Onions. Often confused with yellow onions, Spanish Onions are sweet and have a lower water content than many onions, making them the perfect choice when wanting to cook onion rings - see, we told you a little onion knowledge goes a long way.
Where do green onions come from?
They're actually native to China.
Can you chop pearl onions?
Best thing? You don't even need to chop them, just peel and use whole.
Can you eat raw onion?
This is a mild onion type, great for eating raw which make them the perfect choice for sandwiches and salads. You can cook with them but we suggest consuming raw.
Can you eat Vidalia onions raw?
Vidalia onions are super sweet. We're talking eat it raw and don't even blink. The Vidalia is the perfect choice in the family of sweet onions, you really don't need to cook them, for us they are the perfect onion to be sliced and served raw on top of a juicy burger.
What color are onions?
They are typically classified based on their color: 1. Yellow or brown onions: An all-purpose type, these onions are the most popular (comprising 87% of the onion production) in the US. They are most suitable for eating raw and lightly cooked, grilled, caramelized, or sautéed. 2.
Where is onion grown?
Onion, the edible bulb of the plant Allium cepa, is one of the most common vegetables, and widely grown food crops across the globe with China, India, and the US being the leading onion producing countries in the world.
What is a Vidalia onion?
The Vidalia is a small- to large-sized onion with diameters ranging from 1-4 inches. It has been named after the town of Vidalia in Georgia, where it was initially grown in the 1930s. It is known for its sweet, mild taste throughout the globe.
What is the best onion to use on burgers?
Best for: Serving raw on burgers, as well as in salads or sandwiches. 10. Spanish Onion. Spanish Onion. The Spanish onion is a large variety of onions that is slightly sweet and delicate in flavor. As a variety, the Spanish onion is not produced in cold climates and was probably developed in the Mediterranean region.
What is a Bermuda onion?
The Bermuda onion is a small onion type with a flattened shape. It can have either yellow or white, thin, papery skin and is valued for its sweet, mild flavor. It was initially brought from the Canary Islands during the late 19th century. Some of the varieties of Bermuda onion include Yellow, White, and Crystal Wax.
What is a pearl onion?
Pearl Onion. The pearl or baby onion is a small, marble-sized (with a diameter of 0.5-1.5 in) variety of onions noted for its mild, sweet flavor. It has been traditionally used in American dishes like succotash and sweetly flavored Indian pickles and relishes. Type: Sweet, White.
How long does a white onion last?
It is somewhat sweeter and milder in flavor than a yellow onion, and its size ranges between 9 and 11 inches. The white onion, characterized by a white flesh and white papery skin, has a short shelf life and may last for about two days (up to 30 days, if refrigerated).
What are the different types of onions?
Varieties of this type of onion include: 1 Walla Walla Sweet 2 White Sweet Spanish 3 Yellow Sweet Spanish
How many types of onions are there?
Actually, there are many varieties of onion. To make it easier, onions have been categorized into three basic types of onions. Each kind of onion has attributes that make it the best type of onion for different regions or conditions.
How long does it take for onions to grow?
Short-day varieties of onion include: Long-day onions are planted in winter or early spring and mature in 90-110 days.
What zone do onions grow in?
In the south (zone 7 and warmer), summer days don’t swing much in length in comparison to winter days, so grow short-day onions. Day-neutral onions, sometimes referred to as intermediate, form bulbs in any USDA zone. That said, they are perfectly suited for zones 5-6.
How much daylight does an onion need?
They require 14-16 hours of daylight and are usually grown in the northern regions with a USDA of zone 6 or colder. This type of onion makes a great storage onion. Varieties of this type of onion include: Walla Walla Sweet.
How Onions Grow
Onions form bulbs in response to daylength. When the number of daylight hours reaches a certain level, onion plants start bulbing, or forming bulbs. Long-day onions need about 14 to 15 hours of daylight to bulb. Short-day onions need 10 hours of daylight.
Choosing the Right Onion for You
In the North (the area north of a line drawn from San Francisco to Washington, D.C.), summer days are long. This region encompasses zone 6 and colder. If you garden in this area, grow long-day onions.Which onion type you should plant depends on where you live.
When to Plant
Short-day onions: In zone 7 and warmer, plant in fall, grow through winter, harvest in late spring.You want to tuck onions into soil at the right time to allow them a long growing season for top growth (leaves), which is necessary to yield plump bulbs. In general, follow these planting guidelines: